JANUARY 25, 2014 – LIMA
Covington put in a great effort at the 38-team Lima Central Catholic Wrestling Invitational, leading most of tournament before dropping to second place by one-half point to Archbold – as their last wrestler earned bonus points with a pin in their final match. Archbold finished with 186 points to Covington’s 185.5 points – both teams with a considerable margin over third place finisher Newark St. Paul (150).
The Buccs had two individual champions among their seven top-six place winners – both highs for the team during their three seasons competing at the event. All thirteen wrestlers that entered the tournament won matches and all advanced to the second day of competition.
Ryan Ford (132) won his first LCC title with an impressive 11-3 major decision over Wes Fritz of Newark St. Paul – a wrestler who finished third in the state last season. Ford advanced to the finals by pinning Coldwater’s Tyler Tebbe in the semifinals after also pinning Triad’s Zack Zizzo in the quarterfinals. He opened the tournament with a bye and a 15-0 technical fall over Zach Roberts of Dixie.
A.J. Ouellette (195) brought home Covington’s second title with a 5-3 decision over Jacob Campbell of Dixie in the finals. Ouellette also received an opening round bye before defeating Jon Racheter of Carey, 9-2. He then won his quarterfinal and semifinal matches over Jim Gano of Mechanicsburg, 8-3, and Peyton Whitticar of Van Biren, 9-0.
Falling just short of the title was Jarred Ganger (126) who dropped a late 4-3 decision to state-placer Caleb Ohl of Newark Catholic. Ganger won four matches leading up to the finals, including a semifinal pin over Francisco Alverado of Ayersville and an 18-2 technical fall over Sam Rozmus of Mechanicsburg in the quarterfinals. He also defeated Cody Dickson of Spencerville, 20-5 tech. fall, and Austin Wilson of Archbold, 15-4.
Ben Miller (170) took 3rd place for the Buccs with a 3-2 decision over Alec Gladwell of Columbus Grove. Miller opened with a pin over Adric Stombaugh of Carey, followed by another pin over David Bell of Archbold. He then won a 16-4 major decision over Nick Bene of New London, before dropping a 5-4 decision to eventual champion Hayden Miller of Newark St. Paul. Miller then rebounded by pinning Delphos St. John’s Wes Buettner in the consolation semifinals.
Connor Ryan (106) finished in 4th place after dropping a decision to Kyle Denier of Blanchester. Ryan had a first round bye followed by a pin over Preston Brubaker of Columbus Grove. He then defeated Andrew Meyer of Coldwater, 14-4, in the quarterfinals, before falling to eventual champion George Clemens of Wayne Trace. He rebounded with a 4-3 consolation semifinal victory over Thomas Schnitker of Woodmore.
Daniel Jennings (152) also placed 4th after dropping an 8-7 decision to Triad’s Damian Boldman. Jennings started the day with consecutive pins over Josh McKenzie of Lincolnview, and Austin Martin of Delphos St. Johns, before defeating Boldman, 5-0, in the quarterfinals. Jennings then dropped his semifinal bout, 6-5, to CHCA’s Kealii Cummings, followed by a victory by pin over Austin Martin of Delphos St. Johns.
Coleman Ryan (113) finished in 6th place after falling to Allen East’s Schuyler Caprella. Ryan picked up a total of four victories at the tournament including two pins and a 4-2 upset of the no. 6 seed, Tyler Wetzel of Mechanicsburg.
Justin Daniel (220) earned three pins and fell one match short of placing for the Buccs. Deron White (145) also won three bouts and made it to the 4th consolation round, while Branden Robinson (138) picked up two victories including a pin. Also competing and winning matches for Covington were Josh Sowers (120), Brandon Magee (160) and Jordan Wolfe (285).
Covington hosts the Regional Semifinals and Finals this Wednesday, January 29, at the high school. The Buccs will face Versailles in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to face the winner of Dayton Christian and Brookville.
