With good numbers, a strong senior class and great effort throughout, the Covington Buccaneer wrestling team completed an outstanding season this year. The team, which included many very talented wrestlers, possessed the type of depth unusual for a school the size of Covington. This depth was evident on more than one occasion as the Buccs’ cruised to an 18-4 dual meet record, despite having their full varsity lineup in only two of those duals. The 18-4 dual meet record is Covington’s finest since going 16-0-1 during the 1983-84 season.

The Buccs also performed very well in tournaments, going 102-48, for an overall record of 120-52, the best since the 1999-2000 season. Tournament highlights include winning the Miami East Invitational, a runner-up finish at Northeastern Inv. and a 4th place finish at Troy Inv. which matches Covington’s highest finish ever at that tournament. Covington returned to the mammoth GMVWA Holiday tournament and wrestled spectacularly, earning a 12th place finish out of 45 teams, despite being one of the smallest schools competing. The Buccs had two placers in Logan Brown (1st) and Brian Ely (6th) with three others – Jordan Tebbe, Richie Watkins and Bobby Wiltshire – just a win away.

Covington also won its fourth consecutive Cross County Conference title with a 46-32 victory over Tri-County North, as this year’s senior class finished their career undefeated in CCC duals. The Buccs’ strong performances in both duals and tournaments allowed the team to finish the regular season ranked as the 3rd best Division 3 team in the Miami Valley – believed to be Covington’s best GMVWA ranking ever.

The Buccs finished in seventh place (out of fifteen) at what turned out to be the toughest Sectional tournament in the state (boasting 26 state qualifiers and 17 state placers). Four wrestlers – Jordan Tebbe, Brian Ely, Logan Brown and C.J. Potter – advanced on to the District meet while four others – Jake Jennings, Bobby Wiltshire, Logan Hall and Jake Wise – finished as District alternates.

At the District tournament, the Buccs finished in 21st place out of 56 teams, and were led by Logan Brown who earned his second District title and became Covington’s first three-time state qualifier. Logan topped that accomplishment one week later, becoming Covington’s first ever State Champion with a dominating performance where he didn’t allow a single offensive point scored on him throughout the state tournament.

Two wrestlers made the record books this year. Logan Brown broke ten school records including single season wins (52), career wins (179), single season winning percentage (100%, 52-0), career winning percentage (89.1%, 179-22), single season pins (33), career pins (104), single season takedowns (234), career takedowns (680), single season team points (277) and career team points (916). Brian Ely made the top ten lists in career wins (111), career pins (67), career takedowns (188) and career team points (604).

Congratulations to everyone on the team for their success! A special thanks to our senior class – Logan Brown, Nick Christian, Brian Ely, C.J. Potter, Jordan Tebbe, Richie Watkins and Bobby Wiltshire – and their parents for their contributions to the program. We also want to thank our statisticians – Michelle Barhorst, Hannah Clark, Cali Jo Deeter and Kylie Lavey – as well as the Wrestling Parents and others who supported the team this year.