The Covington High School wrestling team opened their season with a convincing victory over a small Oakwood squad Wednesday night. The Buccs won 6 of the 7 matches wrestled en route to a 50-3 dual meet win.

The Buccs opened with forfeit victories by Justin Daniel (220) and Jordan Wolfe (285), before Connor Ryan earned a solid 7-2 victory over Oakwood’s Jacob Kordik at 106 lbs. Covington’s Michael Cox (113) then followed with an 11-5 decision over Ian Campbell, before both teams forfeited 120 and 126 lbs.

Ryan Ford (132) kept things going for the Buccs with a 21-6 technical fall over Tristan Tirado, before Oakwood got on the scoreboard with an 8-7 decision by Daniel Ehler over Brock Smith (138). Covington bounced back with a Daniel Jennings’ pin over Emerson Calaway at 145 lbs, followed by a Cole Smith (160) win by forfeit.

Covington’s Ben Miller (170) then won a 5-2 decision over Rocco Baker, a returning district qualifier for the Lumberjacks. A.J. Ouellette (182) and Brian Olson (195) picked up the final two victories by forfeit to give Covington the 50-3 win. Dustin Freeman (138) picked up a nice victory by pin over Eric Morris in JV action.

The Covington Jr. High team also wrestled very well, earning a solid 51-18 victory over Oakwood. After a double forfeit at 80 lbs, Nick Risner (86) gave Covington their first victory by pin. Izaiah Brandon (92) then picked up a forfeit, followed by a 6-2 decision win by Jared Ford (98).

The Buccs then reeled off four straight pins by Josh Sowers (110), Joey Schmelzer (116), Ross Bowman (122) and Deron White (134). Carl Lankford (205) dropped a tough match, while Levi Brown (150) and Luke Grieshop each earned forfeits for the Buccs.

Covington High School travels to the Northeastern Invitational on Saturday, while the Jr. High competes next at a dual with Brookville and Mechanicsburg on Dec. 20.