Covington duo helps one another in practice
It’s the only COVINGTON — time you’ll see hesitation from Covington High School seniors Kellan Anderson and Cael Vanderhorst when it comes to wrestling.
Anderson and Vanderhorst have honed their wrestling skills against each other as practice room partners. Anderson (23-1) competes in the 126-pound weight class. Vanderhorst (26-0) wrestles at 138. It’s a daily grind as both are three-time OHSAA Division III state tournament qualifiers. So, who usually comes out on top?
“I beat up on him, he beats up on me,” Anderson said diplomatically. “Irons sharpens iron. It just makes us better in the end.”
Vanderhorst, equally as gracious, echoed that statement.
“It elevates us both and pushes us in practice to drill hard and wrestle live hard,” Vanderhorst said. “It’s nice to have another good guy to push you every day.”
Covington, currently its 48th season of wrestling, hosts the Covington Duals on Saturday.
Andrew DeHart (2007-2011) remains the Buccaneers’ lone four-time state qualifier. In addition to Anderson and Vanderhorst, Logan Brown (2004-06) and Ryan Ford (2014-16) also qualified three times. Overall, the Buccs have had 42 individual state qualifiers.
Anderson and Vanderhorst have ended up at state every season, but they’ve taken different paths to get there. Anderson started wrestling in the third grade when friends started doing it. He stopped for a season, picked it back up in the fifth grade and started taking it seriously in eighth when he started having success.
“I didn’t have good technique and I was getting kind of humbled by some kids,” Anderson said. “That made me want to train harder. I started pinning kids that were beating me the year before.”
Vanderhorst, whose father Eric is the Buccs’ head coach, was wearing headgear and running around in a singlet at his dad’s matches when he was 3-years old. His father is a two-time state qualifier (1991-92) and his freshman brother, Chase, is a state contender at 120. Uncles Craig (two-time placer in 1983-84) and Todd (state qualifier in 1995) also reached Columbus. Another uncle, Rob, just missed qualifying and his son, Ryan, was the Buccs’ first junior high state qualifier in 2002.
“I never felt like I had to live up to anything. I just wanted to be the best I could be personally,” Vanderhorst said. “I never felt a ton of pressure because my family was good at wrestling.
“I love the physicality, the fight of it. It’s all up to you so I like that part of it.”
Vanderhorst is tied for No. 6 on Covington’s career victories list at 171-21. Anderson is No. 8 at 168-19. Vanderhorst and Anderson are also tied for No. 9 in single-season victories with 50. Vanderhorst has done it twice.
“He’s calm and collected. He’s pretty strong,” Anderson said of Vanderhorst. “You look at him, he’s got like a 20-pack. He can use his technique with his strength and just humble kids. He’s pretty exciting to watch.”
“He’s a hard worker. He’s aggressive and a strong handfighter,” Vanderhorst said of Anderson. “He just works hard to get better. … We’re both pretty quiet. We joke around and stuff at practice and have fun.”
Anderson is described as scrappy and athletic. Vanderhorst as technical and tenacious. Together they form a senior-strong lineup that also includes Duncan Cooper at 220, Trentin Alexander at 170 and David Robinson at 145. Juniors Jensen Wagoner (182), Caleb Miller (160) and Connor Sindelir (152) and freshmen Michael Hagan (106/113), Jericho Quinter (113/120) and Carson Taylor (106) add depth.
“We have a great senior class. A great group of kid,” coach Vanderhorst said. “It’s been a fun year. COVID has made it rough, but despite COVID it’s been a fun team. They get along well with each other and we’re having success.”
Covington is 23-2 in duals, the losses coming 32-30 to Versailles in the championship match at the Versailles Duals and 45-31 to Allen East.
Covington is projected as the No. 12 team in the state in Division III by borofanohio.net. After last season’s state championships were canceled both Anderson and Vanderhorst know nothing is guaranteed. Vanderhorst lost his bid to join DeHart as a four-time state placer for the Buccs after finishing eighth as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore. Anderson placed sixth as a freshman and didn’t podium as a sophomore.
“It was a goal of mine to be a four-time state placer,” Vanderhorst said. “It’s disappointing, but it’s out of my control I guess.”
“The goal I have is to get on the podium, that’s what brings me back,” Anderson said. “I don’t want to end my career how I did at state my sophomore year by not placing. I’m hoping to get back on the podium and prove I belong. … Just do your best and have fun with it.”