Logan Hall bounced back from an early-season injury to finish the season strong.

Action began with Sam Herron (103) who faced freshman Chris Beck (26-13) of Lincolnview. Beck scored the first takedown, then is a flurry of points, Sam scored a reversal, followed by a Beck escape. In the second period Sam worked an escape, but Beck answered with another takedown. Sam reversed Beck and controlled from there on, finishing with a third period pin.

Next up was Matt Breisch (112) vs Paul Hochwalt a sophomore (32-4) from Oakwood who placed first at the Clinton Massie sectional. Hockwalt proved to be more than Matt could handle, as Matt fell to the Lumberjack by pin.

Josh McMillion (125) had a tough draw as he faced junior and prior 2005 state champ Daniel Kolodzik (29-3) of Miami Valley School. Kolodzik scored the first takedown, then worked to turn Josh to his back, but Josh fought hard and was able to recover off his back. Josh went into the second period behind 5-0. Kolodzik scored a reversal early in the second period, and again put Josh on his back. Josh fought hard, but was defeated by Kolodzik on points with a tech fall in the second period.

Jake Jennings (140) had just as tough a first round draw as Josh McMillion. Jake faced senior Josh Falk (37-1) of Bluffton, who was state champ his sophomore year, and runner up last year. When discussing Josh Falk, Jennings has the utmost respect for the prior champ. In the match, Falk scored a takedown, then released Jake for an escape. Falk went to work and again scored another takedown. Falk scored again with near fall points using a tilt. At the end of the first period, Jennings found himself down 9-2. He fought hard, but it seemed at every corner Falk capitalized. The final score was Falk 17, Jennings 2. When asked what it was like to wrestle Falk, Jennings replied, "It wasn't as bad as I thought. He's (Falk) very strong and uses his hips well."

Justin McMillion (145) faced Greenview'[s Brock Wagner, a sophomore with a record of 14-17. Justin and Wagner locked horns in a battle for the takedown early in the first. Justin prevailed with a beautifully executed front headlock-head-in-the-hole takedown. Justin wrapped his opponent up in a cradle, but tottered and was unable to gain any back points. Justin entered the second period with a 2-1 lead. Half way through the second period Wagner tied the score with an escape, then took McMillion down to overtake Justin with a 4-2 lead. Justin wasted little time getting a reversal to tie the score 4-4 with less than 3 ticks off of the clock into the third period. Justin then scored two nearfall before Wagner earned an escape, score McMillion up 6-5 with 30 seconds in the match. A dogfight ensued as Wagner attempted a takedown to secure a victory, but Justin would have none of that. Justin held on to win by a score of 6-5.

Logan Hall (171) wrestled sophomore Cameron Via (21-20) from Preble Shawnee. Logan was on a mission from the starting whistle, quickly scoring a takedown and two near fall. Logan finished off Via with a pin in 1:10.

Championship Quarterfinals:
Sam Herron (103) faced the champ of the Blanchester sectional, Chris Yeary (31-3), a very strong and fast opponent from Reading. Yeary got the first takedown, but Sam fought his way up and out for an escape, and ended the first period down 1-2. Sam chose the bottom position to start the first period in hopes of getting another escape, but Yeary wrapped Sam up into a cradle for three back points, followed by a tilt for two more back points, followed by a cradle for three more. The second period ended with Sam in the hole 10-1. In the third period Sam was in the top position and was able to hold onto Yeary for half of the period before Chris scored an escape and won 11-2.

Justin McMillion (145) took the mat against the Lima sectional champ, senior Dylan Ford (34-3) from Allen East. In this match, Dylan scored the first takedown halfway through the first period, but Justin soon escaped. Ford scored another takedown and the period ended with Justin down 1-4. Ford scored a two point reversal, and Justin immediately scored an escape. Ford took Justin down again, this time straight to Justin's back. Justin executed an amazing bridge with an arch-and-twist to get off his back (score 11-2 in favor of Ford.) Justin earned an escape as time ran out in the second period. Dylan took McMillion down early in the third. Justin then attempted a patented head-and-arm and nearly caught Ford for a 5-point play, but Ford was able to hold him off. Justin managed a nice shot to earn the final takedown, but time expired with Ford the winner by a score of 15-7.

Logan Hall (171) had his work cut out for him, facing the champion from the Lima sectional Tyler Kunk (43-3) of Coldwater. Kunk scored first with a takedown, then Logan earned an escape. Kunk scored again with a takedown, and the first period expired with Kunk ahead 4-1. In the second period Logan earned another escape, tied up with Kunk and nearly hipped him to his back before losing that battle and getting pinned.

First Consolation Round:
Matt Breisch (112) faced Justin Phelps (sophomore, 19-12) from Lockland. Matt scored the first takedown with a solid double-leg and the first period ended with Matt ahead 2-0. Matt scored another picture perfect double leg to start off the third period, then trapped Phelps in an arm bar to eventually secure the win with a pin half way through the second period.

Josh McMillion (125) wrestled against Toree Wilson from Dayton Stivers. McMillion scored the first takedown and quickly released Wilson in an attempt to repeat another takedown to expand the lead. Unfortunately the plan didn't work out quite like Josh wanted, as Wilson scored the next takedown against Josh. Josh however redeemed himself by earning a reversal just as time ran out in the first period. The ability to score just as time is running out in the early periods show poise and experience which is rare for a freshman. Josh ended up finishing off Wilson with a pin midway through the second period to advance tomorrow into the second round of the consolations.

Jake Jennings (140) took the mat vs. Tyler Monesmith (32-11, sophomore) from Preble Shawnee. Jake got off to a rocky start in this match as Monesmith caught Jake in a five point throw that put Jake to his back, fighting not to get pinned for almost the entire first period. In the second period, Jake got some redemption by quickly reversing Monesmith. Jake had Monesmith in a power-half that under most circumstances would have scored near fall points, however Moneysmith must be made of rubber, as he was able to tuck his head and avoid being scored upon. Jake went on to score two more points, but eventually was pinned by Monesmith. This loss ended Jake's season, but he can stand proud as his contribution to the team this season has helped the Buccs win a number of duals, and place high in several tournaments.

February 24, 2007 – KETTERING (District Wrestling Day 2)
After the second day of wrestling at the Division III District tournament at Kettering Fairmont's James Trent Arena, the Covington wrestling team finished up in 20th place overall out of 48 teams with 32 points. The Buccs just missed getting a state qualifier as sophomore Sam Herron (103 lbs) finished up in 5th place overall, earning the state alternate spot. Three other Buccaneers - freshman Matt Breisch (112 lbs), junior Justin McMillion (145 lbs) and junior Logan Hall (171 lbs) - each finished one match short of placing at the tournament.

Second Round Consolations:
Sophomore Sam Herron (103), with a record of 30-12, tangled with Ryan Johnston, freshman from Bluffton (11-16). Sam started strong with a single leg takedown, followed up by a beautiful surfboard with a figure-four on the head for three nearfall points. To start the second period, Sam got an early escape, then battled for almost half a period before earning a takedown with a front quarter-nelson, taking Johnston to his back for the second time, ending the second period with Sam ahead 11-0. In the third period, Sam ended up pinning Johnston to advance to the third round of the consolation bracket. When asked how he felt about the match, Sam simply said, "fine".

Freshman Matt Breisch (112), with a record of 29-12, took to the mat against Tyler Borton, freshman (28-7) from Clinton Massie. The first period of this match was a real dog fight. Although Matt came close to earning a takedown, no points were awarded and the first period ended knotted up 0-0. In the second period Matt earned a hard fought escape, and again the two grapplers battled and scrambled with neither wrestler able to secure a takedown until 15 second were left on the clock when Borton took Matt down. Matt quickly countered with a reversal and two back points. Breisch started the third period in the top position and held Borton down for over a minute before Borton escaped. Then Breisch went to work with a takedown and three nearfall points to win the match 11-3. After the match, Matt said he felt "pretty good" about his victory.

Freshman Josh McMillion (125) with a record of 28-13, wrestled senior Robert Beach, a returning state qualifier from Dixie, with a 31-8 record. Josh and Robert wrestled the first period to a 0-0 tie. In the second period, Josh tried one of his patented head-and-arm throws, but slipped and gave up the takedown and two near fall points. In the second period, Josh earned an escape, but gave up another takedown to Beach. The second period ended with Josh down 6-1. In the third period Beach got an reversal, then two more back points against Josh. Beach dominated the remainder of the match to end Josh's season with a 16-1 tech fall.

As a freshman, Josh has had a stellar season, racking up 28 victories. This gets Josh off to a great start on his way to making the school record books for career victories.

Justin McMillion, junior (145) with a record of 33-14, took on Brandon Miller, senior from Blanchester (36-9). Justin started off strong with a five point throw to finish the first period with a 5-0 lead. Justin put it in cruise control from there as he wrestled solid through this match on his way to a 14-6 victory.

Logan Hall junior (171) with a record of 20-12 grappled against Tim Smithson, sophomore from Blanchester (18-16). Hall struck first when he tied up with Smithson and threw him for the takedown. After the takedown, both wrestlers went out-of-bounds and on the re-start, Hall kept Smithson on the mat until the first period ended. On the start of the second period, Smithson was awarded an escape point. With both wrestlers now in the neutral position, Smith tried a head-and-arm on Hall, but when they landed, Hall was on top for two more points. Hall went back to work on the re-start after an injury time out and rode Smithson through the second period. In the third period, Hall started from the down position and Smithson went to work. The work was short-lived because Hall worked out of Smithson‚s grip and scored a reversal to take a 6-1 lead. The next point scored was by Smithson when Hall let him up. Smithson went on to score again, but it was in vain because the clock had run out giving Hall a 7-4 win.

Third Round Consolations:
Sam Herron (103) wrestled Daniel Jacobs, sophomore from Oakwood (26-12). Jacobs took the first shot, but had no luck. He tried a second time and it paid off this time when Herron sprawled and got behind him for the two-point takedown. The two-point lead held up through the first period. In the second period, Herron started from the down position and kept Jacobs from scoring through the second period. The third period began with Herron on top this time and after several stalemates, Jacobs looked to be working out of Herron's control, however time expired, giving Sam the win.

Matt Breisch (112) grappled against Kyle Begg, sophomore from Bluffton (38-5). Kyle scored a takedown and the first period ended with Begg ahead 2-0. In the second period Begg scored a reversal then three nearfall to take the lead 7-0 going into the third period. Begg went on to defeat Matt by a score of 16-1. This ends Matt‚s season. Like Josh McMillion, as a freshman with 30 wins, Matt also has a nice shot at eventually getting in the record books for career wins. Matt‚s technique is very polished for a freshman. Covington coaches, wrestlers, and parents alike were delighted to have Matt as a welcome addition to our team this year, both on and off the mat.

Justin McMillion (145) took on returning state qualifier Curt Levy, junior from West Liberty Salem (45-5). Levy grabbed McMillion‚s ankle for the first takedown of the match and the two points he scored were the only two points for the first period. The second period started with McMillion in the down position and Levy on top. McMillion looked to have at least an escape, if not a reversal, in the works when the referee called the wrestlers out-of bounds. McMillion scored an escape to close within one of Levy, but Levy answered back with another takedown to lead 4-1. In the third period, Levy himself earned an escape and went back to work to score another takedown. With time getting short, McMillion earned an escape followed by a takedown, but Levy answered back with the reversal and went on to win the match 12-5.

Logan Hall (171) wrestled Sam Akins, sophomore from Troy Christian (20-17). Hall drew first blood when he scored on the takedown and looked to have Akins in trouble, but Akins managed to earn an escape point. The first period ended in Hall's favor, 2-1. In the second period, Hall took the top position and cranked Akins over, but not long enough for nearfall points. After a stalemate call, the match restarted and Akins worked his way to another escape point to tie the match 2-2. Now in the neutral position, Hall fought off a strong effort by Akins to get a takedown. With Hall starting on the bottom in the third period, Akins put Hall into a full-nelson, an illegal hold, and Hall was awarded a penalty point to go up 3-2. Hall scored again on an escape to go ahead 4-2, but Akins answered back with a takedown to tie the match 4-4. Once again, Hall escaped to regain the lead, but once again Akins answered with a takedown and that takedown down gave him the lead 6-5. Another full-nelson by Akins got Hall another penalty point and tied the match sending it into overtime. In overtime, Hall was penalized a point for a controversial stalling call that gave the match to Akins. The loss ended Hall‚s season with a record of 21-13.

Consolation Semi-Finals
Sam Herron (103) represented the Buccaneers in the semi-consolation round against Brian Merschman from Delphos- St. John's. . Merschman, a freshman, brought a 31-9 record to the table against Herron's record of 32-12. The match for Herron had everything at stake because a win for Herron meant earning a state tournament berth that would continue Covington's sixteen-year streak of state qualifiers. Both wrestlers tested the waters throughout the first period, with neither scoring, ending the period 0-0. The second period started with Merschman starting in the down position after Herron deferred. Herron rode Merschman to the mat hard, but Merschman got to his feet. Herron threw Merschman back to the mat and tried to get control with a headlock, but both wrestlers went out-of-bounds.

On the restart, Herron tried to cradle, but Merschman rolled through and Herron missed on scoring. On his second cradle attempt, Merschman caught Herron on his back in the roll-through and scored reversal points followed by nearfall points. When the dust settled, Merschman had a 5-0 lead. In the third period with Herron needing points, he took the down position for the start. Merschman was able to pick up two more nearfall points before Herron escaped to get on the board 5-1. As the clock was winding down, Merschman shot and snagged Herron's leg. He pressed on and earned three nearfall points to make the score 8-1 when the clock ran out.

Herron later picked up fifth place overall and state alternate status when his opponent - Alex Panno of Blanchester - was forced to forfeit the bout due to an injury. Should one of the four state qualifiers in his weight be unable to compete next weekend, Herron would have the opportunity to compete in the State Championships in Columbus.