2007-08: BUCCS TAKE FOURTH AT BEN LOGAN

Matt Breisch

Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Covington wrestling team traveled east to take part in the 12-team Ben Logan Invitational and finished up in 4th place overall. Ben Logan won the tournament, followed by Tecumseh and Kenton Ridge. In all, eight of the eleven wrestlers competing for the Buccs placed in the top six.

Finishing in first place for Covington were Matt Breisch (112 lbs) and Andrew DeHart (130 lbs). Breisch won his first three bouts by pin before facing Northwestern’s Brandon Miller in the finals. Breisch came out strong and never relented, earning an 18-3 technical fall over his opponent.

In the 130 lb. finals, DeHart was challenged by Brooks Biteman from Tecumseh. Andrew struck first, but Biteman put DeHhart in trouble with a cradle. DeHart worked out of the predicament, turning the table on his opponent with a cradle of his own to finish the day with his fifth pin.

At 152 lbs, Justin McMillion finished as a runner-up to Tecumseh’s TJ Rigel, a returning state qualifier. McMillion earned three pins and a technical fall en route to the finals.

Placing third for the Buccs at 160 lbs. was Jake Jennings. Jennings earned a decision and two pins before dropping his semifinal bout to Brent Saxton of Franklin. His final bout with Greenon’s Austin Wyen was an interesting one. With Jennings behind 4-3 going into the final period, he dug deep and worked to a 5-4 lead. From there, he stayed sharp in riding his opponent out during the final minute to seal the victory.

At 119 lbs, Sam Herron finished in 5th place with a pin over Wayce Varian of Bellefontaine. Herron went 3-1 overall with the victory. Finishing in sixth place were Zach Shilt (103 lbs), Aaron Devenport (145 lbs) and Josh Shefbuch (189 lbs). Shefbuch used a come-from-behind pin over Antony Simmons of Columbus Academy to advance to the placement round. Also contributing for the Buccs were Cory Ely (135 lbs), Josh McMillion (140 lbs) and Joe Evans (171 lbs).

Also on Saturday, the reserve wrestling team traveled to the Vandalia-Butler JV Invitational and placed 21st out of 24 teams, highlighted by a third-place finish by Covingtonā€šs Brandon Flora (112 lbs). Also competing were Lon Bitner (112 lbs), Devan Selanders (130 lbs) and Steven Ray (189 lbs).

Covington will host Dixie and Madison on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 6 pm, at the high school before traveling to Versailles for a dual with the Tigers on Friday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 pm.