FEBRUARY 5, 2009
Covington hosted Versailles in a rare youth, jr. high and high school dual meet on an evening designated to honor their senior parents. The night was filled with outstanding wrestling as both the jr. high and high school duals were decided by the last match in each.
The evening began with six youth duals – a number of which went down to the wire – where the Tigers emerged victorious over the Buccs in each. Competing for Covington were Duncan Cooper, Kerrington Martin, Christian Meyer, Nick Risner, Deron White and Brandon Simmons. Competing for Versailles were Carson Bey, Cael Bey, Derek Cavin, Steve Mangen, Tanner Bey and Bo Bey. Immediately following the youth dual, the Covington high school wrestlers held a team poster signing for the public.
The jr. high squads squared off next in what turned out to be a barn-burner. Jacob Sowers got things started for the Buccs with a pin over Brian Clark at 110 lbs. Dalton Bordelon (116) then gave Covington a 12-0 lead with a pin over Joseph Cain. Versailles would cut the lead to 12-6 as Tyler Clack (122) came out with a pin in a back-and-forth match with Alex Bitner.
Kyler Deeter answered for the Buccs with a 15-3 major decision over Matt Subler. The Tigers would pick up the next two bouts by fall as Kyle Platfoot (134) and Nick Francis (142) emerged victorious over Tres Wirt and Elijah Laughman, respectively, to take the lead back, 18-16.
Brian Olson (150) responded for Covington with a fall over Tony Bey to take a 22-18 lead. The Tigers would storm right back, though, with pins at 160 (Brandon Christian over Joey Hess), 172 (Mitch Didier over Justin Daniel) and 245 (Andrew Smith over Isaac Schaefer) to give Versailles a 36-22 advantage.
Brock Smith (86) kept the Buccs alive with a 6-2 overtime decision over Andrew Slonkosky. After two forfeit victories by Justin Millhouse (92) and Zakk Collins (98), Covington led Versailles, 37-36, going into the final bout. In a great match, Covington’s D.J. Jennings fell short at the end as he dropped a 6-9 decision to Matt Mangen. Versailles then won the dual by the final score of 39-37.
The high school dual, like the jr. high, also came down to the final bout. Tyler Tebbe (135) gave Covington an early lead with a 17-1 technical fall over Kaleb Matchett. Versailles’ Andy Bruns would answer with an 18-3 technical fall over Cory Ely. The next bout also resulted in a technical fall as Andrew DeHart (145) gave the Buccs a 10-5 lead with an 18-3 victory over Joey Brandt.
At 152 lbs, Versailles’ Thomas Fullenkamp would earn a 15-3 major decision over Josh McMillion, before the Tigers picked up another victory as Tyler Bey won a tight 6-5 victory over Jake Jennings to give Versailles a 12-10 lead. Aaron Coons (171) then extended the Tigers’ lead to 18-10 with a pin over Aaron Devenport.
The Buccs would tie the score 18-18, though, after the next two bouts as Josh Shefbuch (189) earned an 11-0 major decision over Devin Oliver, followed by Joe Evans’ 20-8 major decision over Jacob Bowman. Versailles would then take a 30-18 lead with forfeits at 285 (Mike Treon) and 112 (Tyler Barga).
At 119 lbs, Covington’s Sam Herron was leading Versailles’ Seth Davis when he illegally slammed his opponent to the mat. In an incredible display of courage and class, Davis – who could have assured the victory for the Tigers by not continuing – chose instead to return to the mat before having to injury default to Covington. Matt Briesch would then tie the team score, 30-30, for Covington after picking up a forfeit at 125 lbs.
This led into the final bout of the evening at 130 lbs where Covington’s Brandon Flora squared off against Versailles’ Jordin Cavin. Flora came out strong and picked up a 10-1 major decision for the Buccs to give Covington its first dual meet victory over the Tigers in over a decade, 34-30.
Covington’s high school and jr. high squads will compete next at the Covington Duals on Saturday, February 14. The tournament begins at 10 am.
