FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026 – COLUMBUS
Caleb Ryman and Brody Taylor captured critical wins to advance to the second day of the state wrestling tournament at the Jerome Schottenstein Center in The Ohio State University.
“I’m so proud of both of them,” commented Covington coach Eric Vanderhorst at the end of the afternoon.
Caleb Ryman started off with a dominating 11-0 major decision victory over Morgan Hash from Bid. River Valley to advance to the quarterfinal against Logan Haer from Tuslaw.
The match started off for Ryman with a critical early takedown and he road out his opponent throughout the rest of the opening period to take a 3-0 lead. Ryman then chose down to start the second period and recorded an escape quickly to take a 4-0 lead.
The only problem in the match was Caleb’s opponent holding off takedown opportunities, but fortunately Ryman held on with a 4-0 lead heading into the final period.
The Buccaneer standout senior then followed up by dominating the final two minutes as he recorded a takedown and four back points to secure an 11-0 victory. He is now one victory away becoming a two-time state placer.
“Caleb’s opponent did a good job scouting and taking away Caleb’s primary offense,” Venderhorst said. “But, Caleb did a nice job adjusting well and finding his rhythm and getting a convincing win.”
Brody Taylor went 1-1 on the first day at the state meet to set himself up for one more victory to secure a spot on the podium.
Unfortunately, the Buccaneer sophomore had so many opportunities to score points in his opening match, but suffered an 2-0 loss to Reed Harney from W.S. Northwestern due to a reversal with one second left.
“In his first match, Brody came so close to scoring in a number of situations, but his opponent defended well,” said Coach Vanderhorst. “Hoping that we could have won in overtime with a takedown, but we got reversed right towards the end of the third period.”
Brody started off aggressive by attempting a takedown, but came up short from picking up the needed points as his opponent locked up his foot. Taylor then locked up a cradle in the second period, but wasn’t able to secure back points that were needed. He then came up short from securing an escape point.
The third period started with Brody Taylor on top and he controlled Harney by riding him out until the final second of the match.
Brody had to face Bryce Myers from Chesapeake in the first consolation round and rebounded with unbelievable toughness by pinning his opponent in 4:10.
He started off with a takedown in the first period to build a 3-0 lead, but fell behind 7-4 heading into the final period. Brody then suffered what appeared to be a serious injury, but returned to the center of the mat after being inspected by a trainer. Taylor then recorded a critical reversal and followed up with a pin to advance to the second consolation round tomorrow against either Branton Tapp from Waynedale or Gabe Brough from Eastwood.
“Brody came out strong with a nice takedown then chose down, but his opponent was good with the legs in and turned us,” Vanderhorst explained. “He tied it with an escape, but gave up a takedown. Down 7-4 on bottom, Brody tweaked something and used all of his injury time. He showed a ton of grit to fight through the injury, getting a sweet reversal to the back and finished with a come-from-behind pin!”
The quarterfinals begin on Saturday at 9:30am and the second consolation round will take place afterward.
