SENIOR LEADERSHIP...from the likes of Josh McMillion has led to an historic season for the Covington wrestling team.

Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Covington high school wrestling team won the Covington Duals invitational for the fourth consecutive season and, in doing so, completed their regular season with a perfect 29-0 dual meet record – the best in school history.  Arcanum placed second at the event, while Tri-County North edged Miami East for 3rd place.

Despite missing a couple starters, the Buccs used victories over Tri-County North, 63-15, National Trail, 72-6, Miami East, 56-17, Lehman, 66-18 and an exciting finale over Arcanum, 42-36, to surpass the school’s previous best season – a 16-0-1 record in 1984.  With their 29th win this season, Covington has now reeled off 38 consecutive dual meet victories dating back to last season – which is also a school record.

Going 5-0 for Covington were Bryton Lear (112, 2 pins), Kyler Deeter (130, 1 pin), Andrew DeHart (145, 4 pins), Josh McMillion (152, 3 pins) and Aaron Devenport (160, 2 pins).  Deeter picked up a nice 8-6 victory over Miami East’s former state qualifier A.J. Ganger, while Devenport earned a solid 5-0 victory when he bumped up to 171 lbs to face Tri-County North’s Jacob Schlater.  DeHart picked up his 30th pin of the season and is approaching the school-record of 33 pins set by Logan Brown during the 2005-06 season.

Finishing 4-1 for the Buccs were Brock Smith (103, 1 pin), Matt Breisch (119, 1 pin), Brandon Flora (135, 3 pins) and Brian Olson (171, 3 pins).  Sam Angle (125, 2 pins) and Josh Shefbuch (189, 1 pin) both finished 3-2, while Lon Bitner (140, 1 pin) went 2-2, and Dylan Gustin (140) went 1-1.

In reserve action, Alex Bitner (130) went 2-0 with a pin while Cody Adams picked up a pin at 160 lbs.

The Buccs travel to Lehman high school on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20, to compete in the 20-team Division III sectional tournament.  The top-four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to the district tournament.