Saturday, December 18, 2010
The Covington High School wrestling team competed in the Versailles Invitational on Saturday night and finished as tournament runners-up to Versailles among the field of 12 teams. The event was set up as a team pool tournament where each of the top four seeded teams was placed in a pool with two other teams. Winning their initial pools to advance to the championship pool were Covington, Celina, Miami East and Versailles. To advance, the Buccs first defeated National Trail, 59-12, before earning a 47-33 victory over the Urbana Hill Climbers.
In the championship pool, each of the four teams faced off against each other in a round-robin format. The Buccs first faced Cross County Conference rival Miami East. Starting at 189 lbs, Covington came out strong with pins by Brian Olson and Cody Burton (215). Miami East quickly regained the lead, however, picking up forfeits at 285, 103, 112 and 119 lbs, to take a 24-12 lead. Covington responded with eight consecutive victories by Brock Smith (125, pin), Kyler Deeter (130), Sam Angle (135), Tyler Tebbe (140, pin), Jake Sowers (145, pin), Andrew DeHart (152, pin), Dalton Bordelon (160) and A.J. Ouellette (171) to claim a 51-24 victory.
Covington then squared off with Celina – a team they hadn’t faced since 1999 when the Buccs dropped their season opener to the Bulldogs. Covington was able to avenge that loss today, however, with a come-from-behind 39-26 victory. Picking up victories for the Buccs were Bryton Lear (119), Kyler Deeter (130, pin), Tyler Tebbe (140, pin), Jake Sowers (145, pin), Andrew DeHart (152, pin), A.J. Ouellette (160) and Brian Olson (171, pin).
The championship dual paired Covington with Versailles – both teams who were 4-0 on the day. The Tigers stormed to a 27-0 lead, gaining forfeits at 285, 103, 112 and 119 lbs and picking up a decision at 125. The Buccs would then reel off five consecutive victories with Kyler Deeter (130) scoring first with a 6-3 decision over district qualifier Matt Subler, followed by a decision victory by Sam Angle (135). Tyler Tebbe then picked up a pin at 140 lbs, followed by a victory by decision for Jake Sowers at 145 lbs.
This set up the match at 152 lbs that many at the tournament were anticipating which paired Covington’s Andrew DeHart – who finished as a state runner-up at 145 lbs last season – with Versailles’ Thomas Fullencamp – who placed third in the state at 152 lbs. The wrestlers train together in the off-season and know each other well, which led to a low-scoring bout.
The first period ended scoreless and Fullencamp chose down to start the second. DeHart was able to ride Fullencamp out in the second and chose down in the third. Andrew picked up a stalling penalty against Fullencamp before earning an escape, then surrendered a stalling point to come away with a 2-1 victory. The Tigers would pick up victories at the last four weights (160, 171, 189 and 215) to claim a 50-18 win.
Going 5-0 on the day for the Buccs were Kyler Deeter (130, 2 pins), Tyler Tebbe (140, 3 pins), Jake Sowers (145, 2 pins) and Andrew DeHart (152, 3 pins, 1 tech. fall). Finishing 4-1 were Sam Angle (135, 1 pin) and A.J. Ouellette (1 pin).
While the varsity wrestled at Versailles, the reserve team traveled to the Preble Shawnee Invitational. D.J. Jennings (130) went 2-2 on the day with a technical fall and major decision, advancing to the semifinals, but dropping a 6-3 decision to fall a match away from placing. Alex Bitner (145) also went 2-2, earning 2 pins, while Justin Daniel finished 2-2 with 1 pin. Also competing for Covington were Kody Von Aschen (130), Alex Fries (140) and Gage Looker (160).
The Buccs travel to Brookville on Wed., Dec. 22, with the Jr. High team to face the Blue Devils.
