LIMA – Covington put in a strong performance at the Lima Central Catholic (LCC) Thunderbird invitational over the weekend, finishing in 5th place out of 36 teams. Five wrestlers advanced to the placement rounds – each finishing in the top four at the event.
Caleb Ryman (144) advanced to the championship match, dropping a 9-1 decision to Delta’s Landon Lintermoot, to finish in 2nd place overall. Ryman opened the tournament with a bye, before pinning Swanton’s Walker Klinger and Lincolnview’s undefeated Cody Ricker to advance to the semifinals, where he won a 1-0 decision over Miami East state qualifier Layton Hughes.
Carson Taylor (113) placed 3rd with a 15-0 technical fall victory over Miami East’s Braden Lewis. He started with a bye, then pins over Spencerville’s Analeigh Hood and Bluffton’s Wyatt Knuass, before dropping a 7-1 decision to Waynedale’s Stephen Patterson. He then rebounded with a 7-2 decision over Legacy Christian’s Taven Norris.
Jericho Quinter (126) also took 3rd place, earning a 3-1 decision over Waynedale’s Riley Greathouse, avenging his earlier tournament loss to this wrestler. Quinter received a bye, then won by pin over Triad’s Wyatt Smith, before dropping a 7-5 overtime decision to Greathouse. He then defeated Delta’s Richard Flores, 7-2, Miami East’s Gabe Cole, 17-2, and Preble Shawnee’s state placer Nolan Earles, 8-1.
Michael Hagan (132) finished in 4th place, dropping a 4-2 decision to Lakota’s Lane Thacker. Hagan opened the tournament with pins over Delphos St. John’s Logan Tolliver and Crestview-Ashland’s Qwintin Howard, before earning an 8-1 decision over Waynedale’s Dalton Oberly. He then fell to Newark Catholic’s Brian Luft in the semifinals, before rebounding with a pin over Columbus Grove’s Boat Thompson.
Chase Vanderhorst (138) also finished in 4th place, medically forfeiting to Waynedale’s Caden Schmeltzer in the finals. Vanderhorst started the tournament by pinning Columbus Grove’s Collin Sautter and Delta’s Carl Warner before earning a 15-0 technical fall over Preble Shawnee’s John Nestor. He then dropped a 3-2 decision over Delphos St. John’s Edward Kessen in the semifinals, before responding with a pin over Greeneview’s Kyan Hendricks.
Aveyen Meek (165, 2 pins), Jack Blumenstock (157, pin) and Jonnie Miller (120) also wrestled well and contributed to Covington’s strong finish at the tournament.
Vandalia-Butler JV Classic
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Covington’s Landon Beeman (144, 2 pins) placed 4th in his 32-man bracket at the Vandalia-Butler JV classic. Just missing top-six placement were Diego Lopez (150, pin) who earned three consecutive victories, and Lucas Lester (165) who opened the tournament with consecutive pins.
Beavercreek Jr. High Invitational
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Covington competed at the Beavercreek Jr. High Invitational on Saturday, finishing in 11th place out of 14 teams. Four wrestlers placed in the top 6 of the event.
Weston Roth led the way for the Buccs by winning the 118 lb. weight class. After receiving a bye in the first round, Roth earned an 11-7 decision over Kettering’s Crue Nadzam, a 13-9 decision over Northmont’s Henry Roper in the semifinals, and a pin over Centerville’s Jordan Marshall in the finals.
Brody Taylor placed 3rd at 86 lbs. Taylor won by pin over Hilliard Memorial’s Zander Taylor, before dropping a 7-5 decision to Miami East’s Jacob Eichhorn. He then defeated Tippecanoe’s Declan Couch, 11-0, before earning a 2-0 decision over Kettering’s Kellen Metcalf.
Isaiah Mumford placed 3rd at 110 lbs. Mumford won by 150- technical fall over Greeneview’s John Brundage and by pin over Beavercreek’s Bryce Werry. He then dropped a 9-3 decision to Cincinatti Elder’s Caleb Curry, before rebounding with pins over Greeneview’s Bryson Lovin and Miami East’s Kael Black.
Wyatt Kerber placed 5th at 98 lbs. Kerber pinned Carroll’s Chase Courtney, then won 15-11 over Northmont’s Justin Roll. He then fell to Centerville’s Henry Baker in the semi-finals and to Kettering’s Carter Robinson in the consolation semifinals, before winning his placement bout with a 4-2 decision over Northmont’s Justin Roll.
Gavin Brown (104, 2 pins), Cooper Turner (122) and Gibson Leach (142, pin) also earned team points for the Buccs.
Dayton Christian Pools
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Covington competed at the Dayton Christian pools on Tuesday with each wrestler getting two matches from a variety of teams including Bellbrook, Greenon, Hamilton Badin, Madison Plains, Bethel, Shroder, Finneytown and Dayton Christian.
Going undefeated on the night with 2-0 records for the Buccs were Jonny Miller (120, 2 pins), Andrew Basye (126, 2 pins), Chase Vanderhorst (144, 2 pins), Aveyen Meek (165, 2 pins), Mason Epperson (175, pin) and A.J. Reyes (190, 2 pins). Finishing 1-1 were Eddie Deaton (106), Diego Lopez (150, pin), Jack Blumenstock (157, pin), Lucas Lester (165, pin) and Kaden Thompson (165, pin).
Covington travels to the Lima Central Catholic Invitational this Friday and Saturday, January 26-27.
Covington MVKWA Youth Wrestling Meet at Miami East
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Covington travelled to Miami East for a Miami Valley Kids Wrestling Association (MVKWA) meet on Sunday. The event included Arcanum, Milton-Union, Piqua, Tecumseh, Troy, Versailles and host Miami East.
Covington travelled to Miami East for a Miami Valley Kids Wrestling Association (MVKWA) meet on Sunday. The event included Arcanum, Milton-Union, Piqua, Tecumseh, Troy, Versailles and host Miami East.
Taking first place for the Buccs were Aidan Cheatle (3 pins), Mason Ouellette, Zaidyn Sherman (2 pins), Braden Hole (3 pins), Brayden Feight (pin) and Ethan Owens (3 pins).
Finishing second were Blake Lucas (2 pins), Dalton Brown (pin) and Oliver Ouellette. Brawley Sides took third place, while Harvey Snyder and Carter Roth placed fourth.
Each of the kids gained valuable experience and represented Covington well. The Buccs travel to Sidney on Sunday, Feb. 11.
