Covington’s Kellan Anderson, Cael Vanderhorst and Austin Flick earned some hardware at the 2019 GMVWA Holiday Tournament on Saturday.
Friday, December 27, 2019
Covington finished day one of the Greater Miami Valley Wrestling Association (GMVWA) Holiday tournament in 15th place out of 49 teams. Three of their eight competing wrestlers advanced to the second day of competition.
Kellan Anderson (120) advanced to the semifinals with a first round bye, a 15-0 technical fall over Christian Jodrey of Big Walnut, and pins over Hilliard Bradley’s Casen Ellison and Brookville’s Damian Moler. He faces Trotwood-Madison’s Jorden Zigo next.
Cael Vanderhorst (126) also advanced to the semifinals with a first round bye, a pin over Ben Logan’s Levi Hunter, a 14-0 major decision over Great Crossing’s Gus Roberts, and a 15-1 major decision over Campbell County’s Jonah Bowers. He faces Springboro’s Connor Kleinberg next.
Austin Flick (138) will wrestle Vandalia-Butler’s Matt Motter in the 6th consolation round. Flick had a first round bye, then pinned Pickerington Central’s Mekhi Hargrove and earned an 11-2 major decision over Brookville’s Brennan Moore before falling in the quarterfinals to River Valley’s Nathan Cadle.
Bryce Smith (160) and Trentin Alexander (170) each advanced to the fifth consolation round. Smith fell to Zac Schmidt of Eaton before earning a technical fall over Milton-Union’s Colton Leach, a forfeit over Moore’s Tristan Coughran and a pin over Kenton Ridge’s Cameron Shirk, then fell to Worthington Killbourne’s Andrew Rice.
Alexander pinned Bellbrook’s Liam Barlow, then fell to Springboro’s Will Coffield, before rebounding with a 7-3 victory over River Valley’s Aiden Green. He then lost a tight 4-2 overtime decision to Moore’s Nathen Wright.
Deacon Shields (152, pin), Jesse Fisher (220, pin) and Connor Sindelir (145) also competed for the Buccs.
Saturday, December 28, 2019
All three wrestlers who made it to the second day of the GMVWA for Covington placed in the top 8 as Covington finished the tournament in 14th place out of 49 teams.
Kellan Anderson took second place at 120 lbs, dropping a 7-5 decision to Cole Thomas of Ryle. He advanced to the championship with a pin over Trotwood-Madison’s Jorden Zigo to earn his third medal in three years at the event.
Cael Vanderhorst finished in 4th place at 126 lbs, to also earn his third GMVWA medal, losing 5-1 to Legacy’s Cameron Lacure. He won a 10-2 major decision over Great Crossing’s Gus Roberts, after dropping a tight 2-1 decision to Springboro’s Conner Klienberg in the semifinals.
Austin Flick finished 7th at 138 lbs to earn his second GMVWA medal. He pinned Xenia’s Desmond Diggs in the finals after dropping an 11-1 major decision to Anderson’s Maclain Morency. Flick opened the day by pinning Vandalia-Butler’s Matt Motter.
Covington competes next at the Troy Invitational on Saturday, January 4.
