DECEMBER 8, 2009 – COVINGTON
The Covington High School and Jr. High wrestling teams got off to a strong start Tuesday night as they hosted the Oakwood Lumberjacks. Both squads recorded wins as the Jr. High edged Oakwood 36-35 and the High School came away with a 55-21 victory.
The high school dual started at 145 lbs, as Covington’s Dylan Gustin racked up 12 points in the first period before pinning Jacob Hootman. At 152 lbs, after securing the first takedown, Andrew DeHart found himself in a tight 2-0 match with Oakwood’s returning district qualifier Will Leboeuf before pinning his opponent with just seconds remaining in the first period. Josh McMillion (160) followed suit for the Buccs with a third period pin over Brian Huey to extend Covington’s lead to 18-0.
At 171 lbs, Aaron Devenport put in a workmanlike performance in earning a 10-0 major decision to give Covington four consecutive victories. Oakwood’s Cameron Wedding (189) turned things around for the Lumberjacks, though, pinning Brian Olson in a back-and-forth match. The teams would swap the next two bouts as Covington’s Josh Shefbuch (215) earned a pin over Sam Stanley, followed by Oakwood’s returning district qualifier Jake Horlacher’s pin over Jamie Hess (285).
Brock Smith put in an impressive performance for the Buccs at 103 lbs with a second period pin over Steven Harrell. Oakwood’s Daniel Ehler (112) responded with a throw and pin over Bryton Lear. The marquee match of the night occurred next, with Covington now leading 34-18.
Covington’s three-time district qualifier Matt Breisch squared off against Oakwood’s returning state qualifier Kevin Lee in a match featuring a lot of action. Both wrestlers were aggressive and used some nice scrambling throughout the match, but Breisch managed to come out on top most of the time en route to an 11-6 victory for the Buccs.
The next bout was just as exciting as Oakwood’s Patrick Debrosse (125) edged Jake Sowers, 8-7, to claim the Lumberjack’s final victory of the evening. The Buccs would then pick up forfeits from Sam Angle (130) and Kyler Deeter (135), before Tyler Tebbe (140) earned the final victory for Covington with a second period pin of Peter McMillan to give the Buccs a 55-21 win.
In reserve action, Covington’s Lon Bitner (145) and Cody Adams (152) both picked up wins by pin for the Buccaneers.
In the Jr. High dual between Covington and Oakwood – other than forfeits – every match but one was decided by a fall, and that became the difference in the dual. Picking up wins by pin for the Buccs were D.J. Jennings (110), Ben Miller (116), Cole Smith (122) and Dalton Bordelon.
Both Justin Daniel (172) and Kyle Shefbuch (245) won by forfeit. Alex Schilling (104) dropped a tough bout to perhaps Oakwood’s best wrestler and Alex Fries (128) would lose by technical fall – but by avoiding the pin, he saved one valuable team point that ended up giving the victory to the Buccs.
In other action, Covington’s Alex Schilling (98) earned a pin over Andrew Mammill, while Justin Daniel (172) defeated Oakwood’s Rocoo Baker 8-2.
