Northeastern Invitational – Friday Night
Friday, December 5, 2014
Covington’s high school wrestling team put in an outstanding performance on the first day of the Northeastern Invitational. Despite wrestling without five of their starters, the Buccs won all three of their duals, including a hard-fought victory over a solid Springfield Northwestern squad.
Covington started with Northwestern in the opening dual and took a 9-6 lead on the strength of victories by Jared Ford (113) and Coleman Ryan (126). Northwestern then took a 24-9 lead, with three straight victories before Deron White (152) scored a 10-8 decision over Blake Speakman. The Buccs regained a 30-24 lead after pins by Lance Miller (160) and Gage DeHart (170), and a forfeit received by Bo Swank (182).
Northwestern bumped up their state-ranked wrestler, Connor Rogers, to wrestle Ben Miller at 195 lbs. After a competitive start, Miller picked up a pin to extend Covington’s lead. Northwestern would win at 220 lbs, but Carl Lankford (285) sealed the victory for the Buccs, 42-30, with a pin over John Rust.
Covington then earned a solid 66-6 victory over Riverside. Earning pins for the Buccs were Jared Ford (113), Lance Miller (160), Bo Swank (182), Ben Miller (195), Seth Thomas (220) and Carl Lankford (285). Alexis Roth (106), Coleman Ryan (126), Levi Winn (132), Joey Schmelzer (145) and Deron White (152) received forfeits.
In their third dual, Covington defeated Mechanicsburg’s reserve team, 63-6. Jared Ford (113), Lance Miller (160), Gage DeHart (170), Ben Miller (195), Seth Thomas (220) and Carl Lankford (285) all pinned their opponents, while Deron White (152) picked up a win by decision. Receiving forfeits were Alexis Roth (106), Coleman Ryan (126), Levi Winn (132) and Joey Schmelzer (145).
The Buccs return to wrestle at 10 am on Saturday where they will first face Springfield Shawnee who also went undefeated on Friday.
Northeastern Invitational – Day 2
Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014
Covington opened with a strong performance on Saturday morning which propelled them to four victories on the day and seven for the tournament as they started their season with a 7-0 record by winning the Northeastern Invitational. The Buccs finished with three individual champions and eleven overall placers at the event.
Covington’s opening dual on Saturday featured another team that went undefeated on Friday – Springfield Shawnee. The Buccs were up to the challenge though and came away with a hard fought 40-36 victory.
The Buccs then defeated Milton-Union, 54-24, Northeastern, 58-16, and Southeastern, 56-6.
Jared Ford (113), Lance Miller (160) and Ben Miller (170) each took home gold medals for first place with 7-0 records. Lance and Ben both had 5 pins, while Jared had 4 pins.
Taking second place with 6-1 records were Alexis Roth (106, 1 pin), Coleman Ryan (126, 2 pins), Joey Schmelzer (145), and Carl Lankford (285, 4 pins). Josh Sowers (145/152) finished in second with a 5-2 record.
Finishing in third place were Deron White (152, 5-2), Gage DeHart (170, 6-1, 3 pins) and Seth Thomas (220, 5-2, 2 pins). Other Buccaneer wrestlers who competed for the Buccs included Levi Winn (132), Mark Barga (145), Levi Brown (160), Ross Bowman (160), Bryce Keiser (220) and Luke Grieshop (285).
Covington’s high school and Jr. High compete next in a dual with Versailles on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 pm, at Versailles high school.
