Official Athletic Website | BlufftonPirates.com
Address: 106 W. College Avenue, Bluffton, OH 45817
Principal: Mike Minnig
Athletic Director: Alex Hanna | Office Phone: 419-358-7941 x3005 | Email
Bluffton NWC Championships
Academic Team (12): 06, 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, 97, 95, 92, 89
Baseball (2): 14, 10
Boys Basketball (3): 00, 99, 58
Girls Basketball (7): 19, 05, 00, 99, 97, 96, 95
Boys Cross Country (4): 91, 84, 82, 72
Football (14): 05, 04, 00, 99, 98, 96, 91, 76, 75, 74, 69, 66, 58, 56
Golf (16): 19, 14, 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 99, 85, 84, 83, 82, 77, 76, 73, 72
Boys Soccer (6): 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15
Girls Soccer (4): 20, 17, 16, 13
Softball (1): 19
Boys Track (19): 17, 11, 06, 97, 96, 94, 92, 90, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 79, 77, 70, 68, 67
Girls Track (6): 09, 97, 94, 87, 86, 80
Volleyball (2): 06, 81
Wrestling (3): 07, 05, 04
Bluffton State Appearances
State Championships
2008 Boys Track & Field Division III State Team Championship
1981 Wrestling Class A State Team Championship
State Runner-Up
2000 Girls Basketball Division III State Runner-Up
1997 Girls Track & Field Division III State Team Runner-Up
1994 Boys Track & Field Division III State Team Runner-Up
1991 Football Division V State Runner-Up
1985 Boys Track & Field Class A State Team Runner-Up
1978 Boys Track & Field Class A State Team Runner-Up
1929 Boys Basketball Class B State Runner-Up
State Semifinalists
2006 Boys Track & Field Division III 3rd Place
2005 Boys Track & Field Division III 4th Place
2005 Wrestling Division III 3rd Place
2003 Girls Track & Field Division III 4th Place
1999 Girls Basketball Division III State Semifinalist
1942 Boys Basketball State Semifinalist
1940 Boys Basketball State Semifinalist
1937 Boys Basketball State Semifinalist
1931 Boys Basketball State Semifinalist
Individual State Championships/Qualifiers
Girls State Track Individual Champions
| Name | Event | Time/Throw/Jump | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnie Stratton | 200 | 2008 | |
| Bonnie Stratton | 100 | 2008 | |
| Bonnie Stratton | 200 | 2007 | |
| Caity Matter | Discus | 149-6 | 2000 |
| Caity Matter | Shot Put | 43-11 | 2000 |
| Caity Matter | Discus | 142-11 | 1999 |
| Caity Matter | Shot Put | 42 2-1/2 | 1999 |
| Ann Stechschulte | 1600 | 05:08.7 | 1997 |
| Ann Stechschulte | High Jump | 5"6' | 1997 |
| Ann Stechschulte | 800 | 02:16.6 | 1996 |
| Julie Friesen | 800 | 02:19.1 | 1988 |
| Juleen Matter | Discus | 134-7 | 1980 |
| Juleen Matter | Discus | 128-4 | 1979 |
Wrestling State Champions
| Name | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Josh Faulk | 2005 |
| Justin Shannon | 2005 |
| Brian Edwards | 1989 |
| Mark Falk | 1982 |
| Steve Smith | 1982 |
| Mark Falk | 1981 |
| Mark Falk | 1980 |
| Tom Falk | 1977 |
Wrestling State Qualifiers
| Names | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Lucas Freeman | 2009 |
| Tyler Rayl | 2008, 2009 |
| Jesse Herr | 2008 |
| Kyle Begg | 2007, 2008, 2009 |
| Zach Dower | 2006, 2007 |
| Ben Doty | 2005 |
| Shane Shockey | 2005, 2006 |
| Nick Nowlan | 2004, 2005 |
| Josh Shannon | 2004, 2005 |
| Josh Faulk | 2004, 2005 |
| Clint Strickland | 2004, 2005 |
| Matt Nuzum | 2003 |
| Mitchell Kleman | 2003, 2004 |
| Jeff Queen | 2002 |
| Jason Harmon | 2002 |
| Dan Gratz | 2002, 2003 |
| Garret Weyer | 2001, 2003 |
| Brandon Martin | 2001, 2002 |
| Jeremiah Weyer | 2000 |
| Travis Kelman | 1999, 2000 |
| Rick Orr | 1997 |
| Darin Moser | 1990 |
| Brian Edwards | 1988, 1989 |
| Randy Napier | 1986 |
| Greg Staley | 1986, 1987 |
| Travis Douce | 1986, 1988 |
| Ben Edwards | 1984 |
| Ray Ruggley | 1983 |
| John Cramer | 1982 |
| Matt Dawson | 1982 |
| Steve Smith | 1981, 1982 |
| Don Mathewson | 1981 |
| Bill Edwards | 1981 |
| John Shannon | 1980, 1981 |
| Mark Falk | 1980, 1981, 1982 |
| Jerry Alt | 1979, 1980 |
| Ken Aller | 1979, 1980 |
| Mike Nuzum | 1978, 1979 |
| Randy Strahm | 1977 |
| Tom Falk | 1976, 1977, 1978 |
| Mark Albright | 1976 |
| Delmer Nuzum | 1975 |
Girls Gymnastics State Champions
| Name | Event | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Stover | Uneven Bars | 1983 |
| Brandie Harvey | Floor Exercise | 1992 |
News & Scores
2020-2021 NWC Don Bachman Award of Excellence
Columbus Grove won the Northwest Conference 2020-2021 “Don Bachman Award of Excellence”. This is the fifth time Columbus Grove has accomplished this feat since the establishment of the award in 2005. This award recognizes the school in the conference that exhibits the highest level of consistent excellence in conference-sponsored sports and scholastic bowl competitions each school year.
The Bulldogs compiled a total of 86.5 points with Crestview (72.0) and Lincolnview (69.5) finishing second and third respectively. Points are awarded and accumulated each year based on conference standings in all sports and the NWC scholastic bowl competition.
The award was started during the 2005-06 school year to honor longtime Northwest Conference commissioner/secretary, Don Bachman, who served in that position for more than thirty years before passing away late in 2005.
1. Columbus Grove 86.5
2. Crestview 72.0
3. Lincolnview 69.5
4. Bluffton 65.5
5. Paulding 64.5
6. Allen East 60.0
7. Delphos Jefferson 50.5
8. Spencerville 47
9. Ada 35.5
2021 OHSAA State Track & Field Championships
Division II State Track & Field Championships at Pickerington North
Girls
Paulding 0
Pole Vault: 10. Claire Schweller, Paulding
Division III State Track & Field Championships at Westerville North
Boys
8. Columbus Grove 20, 21. Bluffton 11, 50. Spencerville 5, 63. Lincolnview 0.5, Allen East 0
4×800 Meter Relay: 8. Bluffton (Eden Antrim/Eric Nygaard/Landon Armstrong/Simon Derstine); 9. Columbus Grove (Caleb Stechschulte/Caleb Morman/Trent Koch/Carson Closson)
110 Meter Hurdles: 5. Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
4×200 Meter Relay: 13. Columbus Grove (Josh Smith/Trenton Daniels/Jaden Daniels/Gabe Clement)
1600 Meter Run: 10. Eden Antrim, Bluffton
4×100 Meter Relay: 11. Columbus Grove (Jon Banal/Zeke Halker/Jacksen Schroeder/Josh Smith); 15. Lincolnview (Dylan Schimmoeller/Landon Moody/Cole Gorman/Camden Miller)
400 Meter Dash: 13. Jonathan Schriner, Bluffton
300 Meter Hurdles: 13. Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
800 Meter Run: 2. Simon Derstine, Bluffton; 7. Carson Closson, Columbus Grove; 15. Landon Armstrong, Bluffton
4×400 Meter Relay: 7. Bluffton (Eden Antrim/Ethan Bogart/Josh Mehaffie/Jonathan Schriner); 9. Columbus Grove (Gabe Clement/Carson Closson/Landon Myers/Caleb Stechschulte)
Discus Throw: 4. Ethan Halker, Columbus Grove; 15. Gabe Criblez, Allen East
High Jump: 8. Daegan Hatfield, Lincolnview; 17. Zeke Halker, Columbus Grove
Shot Put: 18. A.J. Schafer, Columbus Grove
Pole Vault: 5. Dale Smith, Spencerville; 6. Gabe Clement, Columbus Grove
Girls
44. Spencerville 4, Lincolnview 0
4×100 Meter Relay: 5. Spencerville (Gillian Goecke/Ariana McMichael/Lilyan Goecke/Claire Hoback)
Discus Throw: 10. Sami Sellers, Lincolnview
5/28 OHSAA Track & Field Regionals
Division III Regional at Troy
Top 4 boys & girls in each event will qualify to State
Boys
14. Allen East 16, 15. Lincolnview 15, 23. Spencerville 6, 30. Crestview 4
State Qualifiers:
4×100 Meter Relay: 3. Lincolnview (Dylan Schimmoeller/Landon Moody/Cole Gorman/Camden Miller)
Discus Throw: 4. Gabe Criblez, Allen East
High Jump: 2. Daegan Hatfield, Lincolnview
Pole Vault: 4. Dale Smith, Spencerville
Girls
16. Spencerville 11, 22. Lincolnview 7, 26. Delphos Jefferson 5
State Qualifiers:
4×100 Meter Relay: 2. Spencerville (Gillian Goecke/Ariana McMichael/Lilyan Goecke/Claire Hoback)
Complete Results
Division III Regional at Tiffin
Top 4 boys & girls in each event will qualify to State
Boys
1. Columbus Grove 104, 4. Bluffton 50
State Qualifiers:
400 Meter Dash: 1. Jonathan Schriner, Bluffton
800 Meter Run: 1. Simon Derstine, Bluffton; 2. Carson Closson, Columbus Grove; 4. Landon Armstrong, Bluffton
1600 Meter Run: 2. Eden Antrim, Bluffton
110 Meter Hurdles: 2. Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
300 Meter Hurdles: 1. Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
4×100 Meter Relay: 3. Columbus Grove (Jon Banal/Gabe Clement/Zeke Halker/Jacksen Schroeder)
4×200 Meter Relay: 2. Columbus Grove (Jaden Daniels/Trenton Daniels/Landon Myers/Josh Smith)
4×400 Meter Relay: 2. Columbus Grove (Landon Myers/Gabe Clement/Caleb Stechschulte/Carson Closson); 3. Bluffton (Ethan Bogart/Eden Antrim/Josh Mehaffie/Jonathan Schriner)
4×800 Meter Relay: 1. Bluffton (Eric Nygaard/Landon Novak/Landon Armstrong/Eden Antrim); 2. Columbus Grove (Caleb Stechschulte/Caleb Morman/Trent Koch/Carson Closson)
High Jump: 2. Zeke Halker, Columbus Grove
Pole Vault: 4. Gabe Clement, Columbus Grove
Shot Put: 2. A.J. Schafer, Columbus Grove
Discus Throw: 1. Ethan Halker, Columbus Grove; 2. Lawson Maag, Columbus Grove
Girls
34. Columbus Grove 3
State Qualifiers:
none
Complete Results
2021 OHSAA Softball Tournament Brackets
Division III
Bath Sectional/District
Allen East, Delphos Jefferson, Paulding
Division IV
Defiance Regional
Lincolnview
Elida Sectional/District
Ada, Bluffton, Columbus Grove
Wapakoneta Sectional/District
Crestview, Lincolnview, Spencerville
5/21 OHSAA Track & Field Districts
Division II District Track & Field at Defiance
First four boys & girls in each event qualify to the Regional in Piqua
Boys
12. Paulding 4
Regional Qualifiers:
none
Girls
9. Paulding 31
Regional Qualifiers:
Pole Vault: 1. Claire Schweller, Paulding
300 Meter Hurdles: 3. Claire Schweller, Paulding
200 Meter Dash: 3. Maggie Manz, Paulding
Division III District Track & Field at Findlay
First four boys & girls in each event qualify to the Regional in Tiffin
Boys
1. Columbus Grove 170, 2. Bluffton 102.5, 13. Ada 12
Regional Qualifiers:
4×800 Meter Relay: 1. Columbus Grove (Caleb Stechschulte/Caleb Morman/Trent Koch/Carson Closson); 2. Bluffton (Eric Nygaard/Landon Novak/Landon Armstrong/Eden Antrim)
110 Meter Hurdles: 2. Jon Banal, Columbus Grove; 4. Ethan Bogart, Bluffton
4×200 Meter Relay: 2. Columbus Grove (Josh Smith/Trenton Daniels/Landon Myers/Jaden Daniels)
1600 Meter Run: 1. Eden Antrim, Bluffton; 2. Caleb Stechschulte, Columbus Grove
4×100 Meter Relay: 2. Columbus Grove (Jon Banal/Zeke Halker/Jacksen Schroeder/Gabe Clement)
400 Meter Dash: 1. Jonathan Schriner, Bluffton; 3. Anden Blankemeyer, Columbus Grove
300 Meter Hurdles: 2. Ethan Bogart, Bluffton; 3. Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
800 Meter Run: 1. Simon Derstine, Bluffton; 2. Carson Closson, Columbus Grove; 3. Landon Armstrong, Bluffton; 4. Caleb Morman, Columbus Grove
200 Meter Dash: 3. Josh Smith, Columbus Grove
3200 Meter Run: 1. Eric Nygaard, Bluffton; 3. Trent Koch, Columbus Grove; 4. Luke Ellerbrock, Columbus Grove
4×400 Meter Relay: 1. Bluffton (Ethan Bogart/Eden Antrim/Josh Mehaffie/Jonathan Schriner); 2. Columbus Grove (Landon Myers/Gabe Clement/Caleb Stechschulte/Carson Closson)
Discus Throw: 1. Ethan Halker, Columbus Grove; 4. Lawson Maag, Columbus Grove
High Jump: 3. Zeke Halker, Columbus Grove
Long Jump: 4. Jacksen Schroeder, Columbus Grove
Shot Put: 1. A.J. Schafer, Columbus Grove
Pole Vault: 1. Gabe Clement, Columbus Grove; 4. Noah Goecke, Columbus Grove
Girls
1. Columbus Grove 103, 8. Bluffton 40, 11. Ada 21
Regional Qualifiers:
4×800 Meter Relay: 1. Columbus Grove (Erin Downing/Brynn Fortman/Lauren Benroth/Morgan Deffenbaugh); 4. Bluffton (Clara Matthews/Ella Armstrong/Skyler Scoles/Sami Scoles)
4×200 Meter Relay: 1. Columbus Grove (Kiersten Closson/Lauren Benroth/Jaylen Sautter/Brynn Fortman)
1600 Meter Run: 3. Erin Downing, Columbus Grove; 4. Clara Matthews, Bluffton
4×100 Meter Relay: 4. Bluffton (Olivia Setzer/Riley Eachus/Sami Scoles/Skyler Scoles)
400 Meter Dash: 4. Brenna Hissong, Ada
300 Meter Hurdles: 2. Brynn Fortman, Columbus Grove
3200 Meter Run: 1. Erin Downing, Columbus Grove; 4. Sabrina Henige, Columbus Grove
4×400 Meter Relay: 2. Columbus Grove (Morgan Deffenbaugh/Erin Downing/Makailey Bermudez/Lauren Benroth)
Discus Throw: 1. Faith Anderson, Columbus Grove; 2. Kennedy Flores, Columbus Grove
High Jump: 3. Makailey Bermudez, Columbus Grove
Long Jump: 4. Courtney Sumner, Ada
Shot Put: 1. Kennedy Flores, Columbus Grove
Pole Vault: 1. Brianna Taber, Bluffton; 2. Allison Diller, Bluffton; 4. Kiersten Closson, Columbus Grove
2021 NWC Baseball All-Conference Teams
NWC Player of the Year: Landon Price – Lincolnview
NWC Coach of the Year: Eric Fishpaw – Lincolnview
1st Team
Landon Price – Lincolnview
Collin Overholt – Lincolnview
Hunter Kauser – Paulding
Jordan Motter – Allen East
Ayden Lichtensteiger – Crestview
Blake McGarvey – Paulding
Jacob Simmons – Delphos Jefferson
Bradden Crumrine – Allen East
Trever Sheets – Crestview
Dane Ebel – Lincolnview
Nate Ketchum – Allen East
2nd Team
Sam Woods – Paulding
Shep Halker – Columbus Grove
Carson Hunter – Crestview
Jacob Morgan – Ada
Landen Schroeder – Columbus Grove
Carter Ringwald – Spencerville
Carson Fox – Lincolnview
Sy Morris – Spencerville
Logan Gallmeier – Delphos Jefferson
Braylon Scalf – Delphos Jefferson
Honorable Mention
Brandon Renner – Lincolnview
Josh Wiseman – Delphos Jefferson
Brenton Renner – Columbus Grove
Jacob Martinez – Paulding
Hunter Jones – Crestview
Carter Frey – Allen East
Jack Cox – Spencerville
Adam Fredritz – Bluffton
Jake Poling – Ada
Payton Beckman – Paulding
Luke Otto – Columbus Grove
Garett Newland – Allen East
Roman Snyder – Ada
Tyler Koenig – Spencerville
Braylen Kennedy – Allen East
Colin Bailey – Delphos Jefferson
Braeden Jordan – Bluffton
Chase Miller – Allen East
Carter Young – Allen East
Ethan Foltz – Paulding
2021 NWC Softball All-Conference Teams
NWC Player of the Year: Destiny Coil – Lincolnview
NWC Coach of the Year: Brad Doidge – Lincolnview
1st Team
Destiny Coil – Lincolnview
Gabbie Stallbaum – Paulding
Kam Utendorf – Columbus Grove
Taylor Post – Lincolnview
Leigha Egnor – Paulding
Leona Dalton – Ada
Breena Grace – Crestview
Kendall Bollenbacher – Lincolnview
Kali Small – Crestview
Katelyn Castle – Crestview
Savana Brooks – Allen East
2nd Team
Nikki Thaxton – Allen East
Riley Busch – Bluffton
Madison Zimmerly – Columbus Grove
Winter Boroff – Lincolnview
Jalynn Parrett – Paulding
Cheyanne Mershman – Columbus Grove
Olivia Cunningham – Crestview
Emma Brinkman – Allen East
Lexi Waugh – Ada
Andi Webb – Lincolnview
Honorable Mention
Tori Green – Ada
Kennedi Jordan – Bluffton
Krista Market – Spencerville
Jaelyn Boop – Spencerville
Bailey Gregory – Crestview
Anna Fitch – Delphos Jefferson
Kaeli Bustos – Paulding
Alex Rodriguez – Allen East
Sophie Bricker – Bluffton
Annie Mendenhall – Lincolnview
Alivya Bakle – Paulding
Shay Schroeder – Columbus Grove
Noel Warnement – Delphos Jefferson
Aubrey Young – Allen East
Addysen Stevens – Lincolnview
Avery Rahrig – Delphos Jefferson
Gracie Butorac – Spencerville
Abby Stechschulte – Columbus Grove
Daicy Robinson – Ada
Raegen Hammons – Crestview
5/19 OHSAA Baseball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Semifinal
Elmwood 8 Bluffton 0
Division III Sectional Semifinal
Columbus Grove 11 Kenton 3
Division III Sectional Semifinal
Delphos Jefferson 4 Parkway 3
Division III Sectional Semifinal
Paulding 8 Liberty-Benton 3
2021 NWC Track & Field Championships
2021 NWC Track & Field Championships at Columbus Grove
Boys
1. Columbus Grove 217.5, 2. Bluffton 123.5, 3. Allen East 80, 4. Lincolnview 76, 5. Spencerville 54, 6. Crestview 46, 7. Delphos Jefferson 29, 8. Paulding 17, 9. Ada 16
NWC Boys Athlete of the Year: Gabe Clement – Columbus Grove
NWC Boys Coach of the Year: Chris Grothaus – Columbus Grove
Girls
1. Columbus Grove 163, 2. Spencerville 141, 3. Paulding 74, 4. Ada 60, 5. Bluffton 59, 6. Delphos Jefferson 58, 6. Lincolnview 58, 8. Crestview 34, 9. Allen East 15
NWC Girls Athlete of the Year: Madison Langdon – Lincolnview
NWC Girls Coach of the Year: Tim Staley – Columbus Grove
NWC Individual Champions:
Boys
4×800 Meter Relay: Columbus Grove (Caleb Stechschulte/Caleb Morman/Trent Koch/Carson Closson)
110 Meter Hurdles: Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
100 Meter Dash: Josh Smith, Columbus Grove
4×200 Meter Relay: Columbus Grove
1600 Meter Run: Eden Antrim, Bluffton
4×100 Meter Relay: Columbus Grove
400 Meter Dash: Jonathan Schriner, Bluffton
300 Meter Hurdles: Jon Banal, Columbus Grove
800 Meter Run: Simon Derstine, Bluffton
200 Meter Dash: Josh Smith, Columbus Grove
3200 Meter Run: Eric Nygaard, Bluffton
4×400 Meter Relay: Bluffton
High Jump: Daegan Hatfield, Lincolnview
Pole Vault: Gabe Clement, Columbus Grove
Long Jump: Jacksen Schroeder, Columbus Grove
Discus Throw: Ethan Halker, Columbus Grove
Shot Put: A.J. Schafer, Columbus Grove
Girls
4×800 Meter Relay: Columbus Grove (Erin Downing/Sabrina Henige/Lauren Benroth/Morgan Deffenbaugh)
100 Meter Hurdles: Lyv Lindeman, Delphos Jefferson
100 Meter Dash: Addyson Dowler, Crestview
4×200 Meter Relay: Spencerville
1600 Meter Run: Madison Langdon, Lincolnview
4×100 Meter Relay: Spencerville
400 Meter Dash: Lauren Benroth, Columbus Grove
300 Meter Hurdles: Brynn Fortman, Columbus Grove
800 Meter Run: Lillee Stewart, Spencerville
200 Meter Dash: Claire Hoback, Spencerville
3200 Meter Run: Madison Langdon, Lincolnview
4×400 Meter Relay: Paulding
High Jump: Emme Prine, Spencerville
Pole Vault: Claire Schweller, Paulding
Long Jump: Courtney Sumner, Ada
Discus Throw: Kennedy Flores, Columbus Grove
Shot Put: Kennedy Flores, Columbus Grove
5/14 NWC Softball Scores
Ada 8 Spencerville 5
Non-Conference:
Bluffton at Arlington
Kalida 11 Columbus Grove 7
5/13 Baseball Scores
Fort Jennings 5 Bluffton 3
Ottoville 8 Crestview 0
Minster 7 Lincolnview 2
Paulding 8 Edgerton 2
New Bremen 18 Spencerville 0, 5 inn.
5/13 OHSAA Softball Sectionals
Division IV Sectional Championship
Minster 6 Spencerville 3
Division IV Sectional Championship
Crestview 6 St. Henry 0
Division IV Sectional Championship
Lincolnview 9 Fort Recovery 2
Division IV Sectional Championship
Wayne Trace 11 Ada 1, 5 inn.
Division IV Sectional Championship
Lima Central Catholic 1 Bluffton 0
Division IV Sectional Championship
Columbus Grove 5 McComb 4
5/12 NWC Baseball Scores
Allen East 6 Spencerville 1
Columbus Grove 14 Bluffton 4, 5 inn.
Non-Conference:
Cory-Rawson at Ada
5/12 Softball Scores
Bluffton 16 Miller City 2, 5 inn.