The Covington Buccaneer wrestling team traveled to Versailles to take on the Tigers Thursday night in a match up of two of the top Division III wrestling teams in the area. The Buccs entered the contest with a 16-3 dual meet record as they faced an undefeated Tigers squad in a packed gymnasium. Covington had its opportunities, but ultimately fell short in a number of key matches, dropping the dual to Versailles, 43-24.
In the marquee match-up of the evening, Covington’s Logan Brown (189 lbs) squared off against Versailles‚ Russ Beisner. In their only previous meeting, Brown pulled out a close 8-7 victory. This time around, Logan wrestled exceptionally well on his feet, taking Beisner down four times en route to a 9-3 victory.
The dual featured five very close matches that could have went to either team, but Versailles took control by winning four of the five. At 152 lbs, Covington’s Bobby Wiltshire dropped a 9-8 decision to Ryan Schmitmeyer of Versailles, while Brian Ely (171 lbs) lost an equally close bout, 2-1, to Versailles‚ Cody Grieshop. At 215 lbs, Covington’s Jake Wise fell 8-5 to Alex Davis, before the Buccs rebounded with a C.J. Potter (275 lbs) scoring an 8-6 decision over Mitch Bohman of Versailles. At 160 lbs, Logan Hall was in control of his match with Dave Coons of Versailles for most of three periods before giving a takedown and pin late in the third.
A number of Covington wrestlers earned pins for the Buccs. At 112 lbs, Jordan Tebbe struck first with a second period pin over Andy Bruns of Versailles. At 135 lbs, Richie Watkins earned a quck takedown and pin over Versailles‚ Aaron Coons. Two matches later, Ryan White (145 lbs) earned a 33 second fall over Ryan Langston of Versailles.
At 140 lbs, Covington’s Justin McMillion dropped an 8-0 decision to Trent Barga, while Jake Jennings (119 lbs), Quentin Layman (125 lbs) and Cody Swabb (130 lbs) lost by fall. Covington forfeited the 103 lb weight class.
The Buccs have the weekend off before hosting their final meet of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 6 pm. This evening will feature a tri-meet with Twin Valley South and National Trail for both the jr. high and high school. Additionally, the Buccs will honor their parents and the high school team will have a poster signing for any youth wrestling fans.
In jr. high action, the Bucss wrestled well, but dropped a tight 30-24 contest to Versailles. Winning by pin for the Buccs was Sam Angle (80 lbs) and Andrew DeHart (104 lbs). Ben Wilson (98 lbs) and Josh McMillion (116 lbs) picked up forfeits for the Buccs. At 86 lbs, Brandon Flora was in control of his match, but gave up a starting position penalty point which put his match into overtime where he dropped his bout, 6-4.
Aaron Devenport (128 lbs) dropped a 12-5 decision, while Cory Ely (92 lbs), Tyler Tebbe (110 lbs), Nick Adams (142 lbs) and Joe Evans, wrestling up a weight class at 160 lbs, each lost by fall. The jr. high wrestling team travels to the Troy Christian Invitational this Saturday.
