February 19, 2012 - Piqua
The Covington youth wrestling team competed in the MVKWA District Meet at Piqua High School on Sunday and put together a quality effort as 23 of the 29 youngsters placed in the top five in the bracketed tournament.
Eight wrestlers reached the championship match with three earning first place. They were Kamden Hughes (1 pin), Ayden Rench (2 pins) and Austin Flick (2 pins).
Taking runner-up were Laine Moses (1 pin), Andru Hollopeter, Hunter Basye (1 pin), Cael Vanderhorst and Kerington Martin (1 pin). Hollopeter narrowly missed out on first place as he was leading 2-1 in the final ten seconds of his match when his opponent was somehow rewarded with two stalling points amongst the confusion of the two wrestlers going out of bounds. In spite of the heartbreak, Hollopeter showed the character of a champion by congratulating his opponent for a hard-fought match.
Another case of great sportsmanship was displayed by Cael Vanderhorst, who dropped a close 2-0 decision to Cael Bay of Versailles in his championship match. The two wrestlers have battled back and forth all season and put on a clinic of wrestling technique that had those around the mat applauding their efforts. Both wrestlers patted each other on the back as they walked off the mat after the thrilling tussle.
Covington had six grapplers reach the consolation final and four of those claimed third place; Drew Rosengarten, Gavin Fraley, Owen Landis and Dolan Young (2 pins). Young, who regularly gives up weight, battled back from a first round defeat to win his final three matches in impressive fashion.
Taking fourth for the Buccs were Duncan Cooper (2 pins) and Ryan Rempley (1 pin), both who wrestled very well against stiff competition.
The Buccs had nine wrestlers compete hard to take fifth on the day. They were Sam Swank, Dalton Bishop (1 pin), Eli Donnan, Jake Dilley (1 pin), Garret Fraley (1 pin), Ryan Evans (1 pin), Nick Rawson (1 pin), David Robinson (1 pin) and Jacob McQuinn (1 pin).
Dilley, a seven-year-old, narrowly missed reaching the consolation final as he fought off his back to nearly pin his opponent in the final seconds.
Robinson also put together an inspiring effort, pinning an opponent who had defeated him earlier in the season.
Nick Rawson had an outstanding chance of winning a championship, but became ill after winning his opening bout via pin. Rawson had to forfeit his final two matches of the afternoon.
Six Covington wrestlers took seventh, but wrestled very well in a competitive field. Jeremiah Estep gave a great effort in his two matches, but fell short of having his hand raised, while Tyler Basye, Kaden Hughes, Baylon Millard, Josh Latimer and Randy Anthony all wrestled hard for the Buccs.
|
