JANUARY 31, 2009 – BEN LOGAN
The Covington High School wrestling team traveled east to Logan County to compete in the 12-team Ben Logan Invitational on Saturday. Despite filling just nine of the fourteen weight classes in the tournament, the Buccs made a run at third place overall, but ultimately finished in fourth place, behind Kenton, with 196.5 points. Tecumseh edged Ben Logan, 247 to 240, to finish in first place overall.
All nine of Covington’s wrestlers finished in the top-six as the team combined to win 34 of their 44 matches.
Two Buccaneer wrestlers claimed tournament championships at the event. At 119 lbs, Sam Herron pinned four consecutive opponents on his way to the finals where he defeated Tecumseh’s Elmer Little by a 14-5 major decision.
Cory Ely (140) also put together an outstanding performance, taking home his first tournament championship in high school by pinning all four of his opponents – including a third period pin over finalist Sean Castle of Kenton.
Andrew DeHart (145) also advanced to the finals – on the strength of three pins and a technical fall – where he faced state runner-up T.J. Rigel of Tecumseh. After finding himself down 5-0 early in the first period, DeHart wrestled well, but couldn’t overcome Rigel’s experience, dropping a 7-0 decision.
A trio of wrestlers finished in third place for Covington. Matt Breisch (125) earned a 13-2 major decision over Baylor Deselem of Northeastern to finish 4-1 with 2 pins. At 135, Tyler Tebbe earned his third pin of the day over Tyler Taylor of Kenton to also finish 4-1, while Josh McMillion (152) finished 4-1 (2 pins) after pulling out a last-second overtime decision over John Ericson of Greenon.
Jake Jennings (160) took fourth place overall, while Aaron Devenport (171) finished fifth, and Brandon Flora (130), sixth.
Covington will honor their senior parents when they host a dual with Versailles’ high school and jr. high teams on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 6 pm.