Saturday, January 08, 2011
The Covington High School wrestlers put in a total team performance at the 20-team Troy Invitational as each of their eleven competing wrestlers won matches and scored enough points (253) for second place overall. Coldwater (301) won the event, while the Buccs came from behind to top Wayne (247) in the championship round. In all, ten of Covington’s wrestlers placed at the tournament.

At 152 lbs, Andrew DeHart earned a 30 second pin over Coldwater’s Brian Hemmelgarn in the finals to claim his fourth consecutive Troy Invitational title – a rare accomplishment. DeHart battled to a 4-1 decision over Northwestern’s Mason Sherrock in the semifinals, after picking up two pins in his opening pool to start the day.

Two other Buccaneers reached the finals, but fell short in their final bouts to finish second overall. After storming into the finals with four consecutive pins, Kyler Deeter dropped a tight 6-5 decision to Arcanum’s state placer Jared Beatty in the 130 lb. finals. At 140 lbs, Tyler Tebbe finished second to Kenton Ridge’s Joe Quisenberry by technical fall. Tebbe earned three pins over his opponents leading up to his final bout.

Finishing in third place for the Buccs was Brian Olson (171) who won a key head-to-head victory by pin over Wayne’s Ronnie Caudill which helped the Buccs overtake the Warriors in the final standings. Olson dropped his semifinal bout by decision to Springfield’s Darryl Grayson after earning three pins in his pool.

Also battling to take third place was Covington’s Brandon Flora at 135 lbs. Flora dropped one of the three matches in his pool by decision, but since the each of the top-three wrestlers in his pool finished 2-1, he advanced to the championship bracket via tiebreaker since he earned the most pins. Flora dropped his semifinal bout, but took advantage of the tiebreaker in his final match earning a dominating win by pin over A.J. Bare of Kenton Ridge – the team that was right on the Buccs heels heading into the final round.

After being out for a while, Bryton Lear (119) returned to action for Covington with a strong tournament, finishing in fourth place overall. Lear won his pool – earning two pins – before dropping his final two bouts. Sam Angle (145) also earned fourth place with a 3-2 record with two pins and a major decision.

A.J. Ouellette continued his individual improvement with a 6th place finish at 160 lbs, earning two pins and nearly upsetting the no.3 seeded wrestler. At 125 lbs, Brock Smith finished strong with a pin over Springfield’s Sam Grayson to take 7th place. Smith earned three pins overall at the tournament.

Also earning critical victories for Covington were Justin Daniel – who took 8th place at 189 lbs with two victories – and Cody Burton – who picked up a significant pin in his pool. Without their 15 team points, the Buccs would have finished in 4th place overall and fell short of bringing home a team trophy.

Covington hosts Miami East, Tipp City and Troy this Wednesday, January 12, at the high school. Wrestling begins at 6 pm.