PIQUA – Covington travelled to Piqua and competed in an exciting back-and-forth dual that saw the Buccs coming out on top to win 39-33. Each team made a number of line-up changes throughout the dual to find a strategic advantage, but in the end Covington came away with the victory.
The dual started at 126 lbs. where Henry Skaggs and Cameron Albright traded the lead before Skaggs would win with a pin. Piqua’s Seth Holt would tie things up, 6-6, after receiving a forfeit at 132 lbs. Isaiah Mumford (138 lbs.) regained the lead for Covington, 9-6, as he picked up a high-scoring 15-11 decision over Charlie Shawver.
Piqua would gain the team lead next, 12-9, as Evan Hewitt won a 50-50 position over Liam Geeding, earning the pin. The Indians then elected to forfeit 150 lbs. to Caleb Ryman giving the Buccs a 15-12 lead. The move paid off as Alex Holt earned a 10-2 major decision over Jack Blumenstock to give Piqua the lead back, 16-15. Nickolai Kaye then bumped up to 165 lbs. and earned a 15-0 technical fall over Kaden Thompson to extend the Indian’s lead to 21-15.
Aveyen Meek (175 lbs.) got things going again for the Buccs with a pin over William Ahrens, to tie up the dual, 21-21, before Mason Epperson regained the lead for Covington, 27-21, with a pin over Eli Watkins at 190 lbs. Trentin Havenar (215 lbs.) then shot a great takedown against Piqua’s Kylan Hughes, lifting his opponent in the air, but didn’t have the technique down on the mat return, getting called for an illegal slam that ended in an injury default victory for the Indians. After a double forfeit at 285 lbs., the dual was tied 27-27, heading into the final three bouts.
The Indians elected to forfeit 106 lbs. to Brody Taylor, taking their chances with Aiden Allen against Covington’s Eddie Deaton (113 lbs.). Deaton wrestled a strong match and pinned his opponent, securing the victory for the Buccs with a 39-27 lead. Piqua’s Logan Wells (120 lbs.) would then win the final match by forfeit.
In Jr. High action, the teams elected to forgo the dual format to move wrestlers to different weight classes to get their wrestlers as many matches as possible. Winning matches for Covington were Blake Lucas (104, pin), Gavin Brown (122, pin) and Weston Roth (134, pin). Winning matches for Piqua were Emmett Schaefer (92, pin), Max Wamer (110, pin), Brayden Hall (116), Alora Schwartz (116, pin), Jacob Hicks (122, pin), Gabe Mackellar (142, pin) and Brandon Ludwig (205, pin).
Covington travels to Sidney on Monday, February 3, for a tri meet with Sidney and Springfield.
