2008-09: Buccs Take Third at Versailles Invitational

Matt Briesch brings his opponent to the mat for a takedown.

Saturday, DECEMBER 20, 2008
The Covington High School wrestling team went 3-1 in duals at the 8-team Versailles Invitational to finish in third place as a team. The Buccs went 2-1 in their pool, defeating West Liberty-Salem, 34-13, and Dixie, 43-24, before losing 57-17 to eventual champion Toledo St. Francis De Sales. This paired Covington up with Greeneview for the third place bout which the Buccs won 38-37. Toledo St. Francis De Sales defeated Versailles in the championship dual.

Against West Liberty-Salem, Covington picked up a number of forfeits and an 8-0 major decision at 135 lbs, as Tyler Tebbe bested Tyler Sachs. Matt Briesch (125), Ben Wilson (130), Cory Ely (140), Andrew DeHart (145), and Aaron Devenport (152) won by forfeit, while Sam Herron (119), Jake Jennings (160) and Josh Shefbuch (189) dropped their bouts to district qualifier Britt Wooten, and state qualifiers Peter Lewis and Cory Thompson, respectively.

In the next round, the Buccs put together a nice performance against Dixie. Spotting the Greyhounds 18 points due to forfeits, Covington won 8 of the 9 matches wrestled to earn the victory. Cory Ely (140), Jake Jennings (160), Josh McMillion (171) and Josh Shefbuch (189) each won by pin. Sam Herron (119) won a 3-2 decision over district alternate Jon Hutchinson, while Matt Breisch (125) defeated district qualifier Steve Fredrickson by a 12-2 major decision. Also winning by decision were Tyler Tebbe (135) and Andrew DeHart (145). Aaron Devenport picked up a forfeit for the Buccs at 152 lbs.

Covington found the going tough against Toledo St. Francis De Sales, spotting their opponent 24 points due to forfeits, and winning only 3 of the 10 matches wrestled, dropping a number of bouts by a single point. Both Sam Herron (119) and Cory Ely (140) earned pins for the Buccs, while Andrew DeHart picked up a 16-1 technical fall. Falling just short in competitive bouts were Matt Breisch (125), losing 5-6, Josh McMillion (171), losing 10-11, and Josh Shefbuch (189), losing 2-3.

In their third place bout with Greeneview, the Buccs had their closest dual in recent memory. After the dust settled, the score was tied 37-37, so the officials had to break out the rulebook to determine the winner. Neither team had unsportsmanlike penalties (tiebreaker no. 1) and both teams had the same number of wins (no. 2), falls/defaults/forfeits (no. 3), technical falls (no. 4) and major decisions (no. 5). Covington was awarded the tiebreaker team point on the 6th tiebreaker criteria with the greater number of first-points scored, 10-5.

Winning by pin were Sam Herron (119), Andrew DeHart (145) and Josh McMillion (160). Also winning their bouts were Tyler Tebbe (135), Aaron Devenport (152), Jake Jennings (171) and Josh Shefbuch (215).

The Buccs compete next at the 45-team GMVWA Holiday Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28.

Jake Jennings works for back points.