Fittingly, Covington and rival Miami East dominated the final Covington Duals – the unofficial CCC Tournament – and look forward to continuing a long-standing rivalry next season in the newly formed Three Rivers Conference.

Saturday, January 23, 2021 – Covington
Covington went 5-0 at the Covington Duals on Saturday, winning a hard-fought 42-33 victory over Miami East in the finals, to improve their overall record to 28-2 this season. This was a memorable victory for the Buccs as it brings an end to the Cross County Conference era.

Since the CCC requires seven schools to participate in a sport for it to be an official league sport, Covington established the Covington Duals in 2007 to include the six CCC schools with wrestling plus Lehman to create an unofficial year-end CCC league tournament. Over this span, Covington was extremely successful, winning the event 14 of the 15 years in existence, with Miami East the other winner in 2017.

The Buccs opened the tournament with a 66-12 victory over Lehman, before defeating Arcanum 64-6. Covington then defeated National Trail 66-6, before advancing to the final round with a 66-18 victory over Twin Valley South.

Going undefeated for the Buccs were Carson Tayler (106 lbs., pin), Michael Hagan (113, pin), Jericho Quinter (120, 2 pins), Cael Vanderhorst (138, 2 pins), David Robinson (145, 2 pins), Trentin Alexander (170, 3 pins) and Jensen Wagoner (182, 2 pins).

Connor Sindelir (152, 2 pins) and Trey Kiser (160, pin) both finished with just one loss on the day. Going 3-2 for Covington were Jackson Shiverdecker (126, 2 pins), Ricky Stephan (220, 2 pins) and Scott Blumenstock (285). Also winning matches for the Buccs were Luke Brown (145) and Hayden Barker (220, pin).

In Jr. High action, Covington went undefeated on the day. The Buccs beat National Trail 51-21, with Colt Williams (86), Caleb Ryman (92), Zaq Steele (98), Kacyn Hall (104), Mason Epperson (142, pin), AJ Garman (150), Chase Willis (160), Ashtin Gardner (205) and Forest Arthur (245) all picking up victories.

The Buccs then defeated Twin Valley South 60-18, with Colt Williams (86), Caleb Ryman (92), Zaq Steele (98), Kacyn Hall (104), Elijah Carnes (110), Jack Blumenstock (122, pin), Kaden Thompson (122, pin), Justin Hall (128), Aveyen Meek (134), Chase Willis (160, pin) and Forest Arthur (245) all winning.

Covington won their last dual of the evening against Miami East, 49-21. Getting victories for the Buccs were Colt Williams (86), Caleb Ryman (92), Zaq Steele (98), Kacyn Hall (104), Justin Hall (134), Mason Epperson (142), Chase Willis (150, pin), AJ Garman (160) and Forest Arthur (205).

This concludes an end of an era. Next season Covington will join CCC rival Miami East in the Three River Conference with Milton-Union, Northridge, Lehman Catholic, Troy Christian. Riverside and Bethel. Hopefully an “official” league tournament will materialize making for more rivalries on the wrestling mat.