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 (4): 22, 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 (17): 24, 19, 14, 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 99, 85, 84, 83, 82, 77, 76, 73, 72
Boys Soccer (11): 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15
Girls Soccer (7): 25, 23, 22, 20, 17, 16, 13
Softball (1): 19
Boys Track (20): 25, 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 (5): 26, 25, 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
2024 Football Division VI State Semifinalist
2022 Boys Track & Field Division III 4th Place
2017 Boys Track & Field Division III 4th Place
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 OHSAA Wrestling Individual District Tournament
Division III District at Troy
3. Allen East 134.5, 13. Columbus Grove 41, 27. Spencerville 17, 37. Delphos Jefferson 9, 42. Ada 4, 48. Lincolnview 0
State Qualifiers:
126: 2. Drake Carmean, Allen East
138: 4. Kade Wireman, Allen East
160: 4. Blake Hershberger, Allen East
195: 1. Garrett Neth, Allen East
220: 3. Eli Criblez, Allen East
285: 1. Jeff Meyer, Columbus Grove; 4. Brennan Davies, Allen East
Brackets | Placers | Complete Results
Division III District at Napoleon
16. Bluffton 40, 33. Paulding 13.5
State Qualifiers:
106: 3. Thayne Kleman, Bluffton
138: 4. Kaden Basil, Bluffton
Brackets | Placers | Complete Results
2020 OHSAA Wrestling Individual Sectionals
Division III Sectional at Lima Central Catholic
1. Allen East 251, 5. Spencerville 108.5, 6. Columbus Grove 94, 7. Delphos Jefferson 77, 12. Ada 52, 13. Lincolnview 24
District Qualifiers:
106: 2. Hunter Sidle, Allen East; 3. Nyah Hodge Miller, Spencerville
113: 3. Carder Miller, Spencerville; 4. Antonio Petitt, Ada
120: 2. Jordan Kennedy, Allen East; 4. Colton Biederman, Ada
126: 2. Drake Carmean, Allen East; 4. Johnathon Brooks, Delphos Jefferson
132: 3. Ethan Garver, Allen East; 4. Anthony Bodine, Delphos Jefferson
138: 1. Kade Wireman, Allen East; 4. Jay Goetz, Spencerville
145: 3. Gage Wireman, Allen East; 4. Garrett Jones, Spencerville
152: 1. Chase Miller, Allen East; 3. Reece Evans, Ada
160: 1. Blake Hershberger, Allen East
170: 2. Ezra Jones, Columbus Grove; 4. Caleb Welch, Allen East
182: 3. Devin Anspach, Allen East
195: 1. Garrett Neth, Allen East; 3. Kane Plescher, Delphos Jefferson
220: 2. Eli Criblez, Allen East; 4. Darius Clark, Spencerville
285: 1. Jeff Meyer, Columbus Grove; 3. Brennan Davies, Allen East
Brackets | Match Results | Placement
Division III Sectional at Van Buren
2. Bluffton 146
District Qualifiers:
106: 3. Thayne Kleman, Bluffton
113: 1. Tayton Kleman, Bluffton
120: 2. Jeremy Sturgeon, Bluffton
138: 1. Kaden Basil, Bluffton
195: 2. Landen Luginbuhl, Bluffton
Brackets | Team Scores
Division III Sectional at Archbold
Paulding
District Qualifiers:
106:
113:
120:
126:
132:
138:
145:
152:
160:
170:
182:
195:
220:
285:
Brackets | Match Results | Placement
2/28 OHSAA Boys Basketball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Championship at Miller City
Ottawa-Glandorf 82 Allen East 29
Division III Sectional Championship at Elida
Lima Central Catholic 59 Bluffton 44
Division IV Sectional Championship at Van Wert
Kalida 44 Lincolnview 41
Division IV Sectional Championships at Bluffton University
Crestview 40 Delphos St. John’s 37
Columbus Grove 59 Ada 35
2019-20 NWC Boys Basketball All-Conference Teams
Columbus Grove junior Blake Reynolds was chosen as the 2019-20 NWC Player of the Year by Northwest Conference boys’ basketball coaches at their annual selection meeting. Reynolds received 119 total points in the voting in a near unanimous selection. Reynolds averaged 16.8 points per game along with 9 rebounds and 5 assists per game for the Bulldogs.
Joining Reynolds on the NWC first team were Kalen Etzler (Crestview), Luke Denecker (Bluffton), Mason Soper (Bluffton), Tayt Birnesser (Columbus Grove) and Brandon Hull (Ada). Reynolds, Etzler, Birnesser and Hull are juniors while Denecker and Soper are seniors. Reynolds and Denecker are 3-time first team selections with Etzler and Birnesser being two-time selections.
Coach of the Year honors in the NWC go to Chris Sautter of Columbus Grove for the second consecutive year. He led the Bulldogs to an 8-0 conference mark and an undefeated regular season.
The team breakdowns are as follows:
FIRST TEAM
Blake Reynolds – Columbus Grove – 11
Kalen Etzler – Crestview – 11
Luke Denecker – Bluffton – 12
Mason Soper – Bluffton – 12
Tayt Birnesser – Columbus Grove – 11
Brandon Hull – Ada – 11
SECOND TEAM
Creed Jessee – Lincolnview – 11
Ian Wannenacher – Delphos Jefferson – 11
Jared Piercefield – Bluffton – 12
Collin Overholt – Lincolnview – 11
Josh Henline – Spencerville – 9
HONORABLE MENTION
Gabe Clement – Columbus Grove – 11
Blake McGarvey – Paulding – 11
Phillip Coulson – Ada – 12
Jake Bowersock – Lincolnview – 11
Carson Kreischer – Crestview – 11
Payton Beckman – Paulding – 11
Hunter Mericle – Delphos Jefferson – 12
Dalton Prichard – Spencerville – 11
Logan McCluer – Allen East – 12
2/22 OHSAA Girls Basketball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Championship at Bluffton
Liberty-Benton 62 Delphos Jefferson 31
Division III Sectional Championships at Lincolnview
Paulding 56 Coldwater 34
Fairview 62 Spencerville 49
Division IV Sectional Championship at Bluffton Univ.
Arlington 50 Bluffton 41
Division IV Sectional Championships at Paulding
Ottoville 48 Lincolnview 30
Crestview 53 Edon 37
2/21 NWC Boys Basketball Scores
Columbus Grove 56 Ada 46
Bluffton 69 Delphos Jefferson 57
Crestview 66 Spencerville 52
Lincolnview 53 Paulding 39
Non-Conference:
Perry 63 Allen East 51
2019-20 NWC Girls Basketball All-Conference Teams
Paulding senior Chelsi Giesige was selected as the 2019-20 NWC Player of the Year in voting by Northwest Conference girls’ basketball coaches. Giesige averaged 16.8 points, 3 steals and 3 assists per game in leading the Panthers to an 18-4 regular season record.
Joining Giesige on the NWC First Team were junior Emma Leis (Spencerville), senior Alexis Gregory (Crestview), sophomore Makenzie King (Columbus Grove), senior Tori Newland (Allen East), senior Angel Schneider (Columbus Grove) and senior Nelaya Burden (Spencerville). Gregory is a three-time first team selection while Leis and King are two-time members of the first team.
Brian Schroeder, who led Columbus Grove (8-0, 18-3) to their fifth straight championship and sixth overall was selected as the NWC Coach of the Year.
The team breakdowns are as follows:
FIRST TEAM
Chelsie Giesige – Paulding – 12
Emma Leis – Spencerville – 11
Alexis Gregory – Crestview – 12
Kenzie King – Columbus Grove – 10
Tori Newland – Allen East – 12
Angel Schneider – Columbus Grove – 12
Nelaya Burden – Spencerville – 12
SECOND TEAM
Laykin Garmatter – Bluffton – 11
Alycia Lindeman – Delphos Jefferson – 10
Libby Schaadt – Bluffton – 12
Bailey Gregory – Crestview – 11
Abby Gladwell – Columbus Grove – 12
HONORABLE MENTION
Olivia Cunningham – Crestview – 11
Kendall Bollenbacher – Lincolnview – 10
Addy Stewart – Delphos Jefferson – 12
Sydney McCullough – Paulding – 12
Courtney Sumner – Ada – 9
Kayla White – Bluffton – 12
Gillian Goecke – Spencerville – 11
Savanah Ridenour – Columbus Grove – 10
Brianna Ebel – Lincolnview – 11
Janae Pease – Paulding – 10
2/15 Boys Basketball Scores
Ada 89 Temple Christian 50
Bluffton 57 Kenton 55
Columbus Grove 66 Miller City 51
Elida 71 Delphos Jefferson 65
Arlington 76 Lincolnview 63
Bryan 57 Paulding 43
Shawnee 77 Spencerville 53
2020 NWC Wrestling Championships
Allen East scored a total of 341.0 points to take the 2020 Northwest Conference Wrestling Championship held at Columbus Grove High School. Spencerville finished second in the tournament with 223 points while Bluffton took third at 218.5 points. Repeating as conference champs for the fourth year in a row, Allen East’s title was their ninth overall NWC wrestling championship.
1. Allen East 341, 2. Spencerville 223, 3. Bluffton 218.5, 4. Delphos Jefferson 178.5, 5. Columbus Grove 171, 6. Paulding 159, 7. Ada 106, 8. Lincolnview 73
Brackets | Placers | Complete Results
Allen East senior Garrett Neth (195) was voted Wrestler of The Year in the NWC. Mike Abbey of Allen East was voted by his peers as NWC Coach of The Year.
Repeat winners from last year included Tayton Kleman (BL-113), Jeremy Sturgeon (BL – 120), Drake Carmean (AE-126), Chase Miller (AE-152), Blake Hershberger (AE-160), and Ezra Jones (CG-170). Allen East led the way with 6 individual champions while Bluffton had 4 individual champs.
Individual high school champions are listed below:
106 – Thayne Kleman 9 BL
113 – Tayton Kleman 11 BL
120 – Jeremy Sturgeon 11 BL
126 – Drake Carmean 11 AE
132 – Jordan Mudel 12 PL
138 – Kade Wireman 9 AE
145 – Gage Wireman 9 AE
152 – Chase Miller 10 AE
160 – Blake Hershberger 11 AE
170 – Ezra Jones 11 CG
182 – Cole Mabis 12 PL
195 – Garrett Neth 12 AE
220 – Landen Luginbuhl 12 BL
285 – Jeff Meyer 11 CG
2020 NWC Junior High Championships
1. Columbus Grove 322.5, 2. Allen East 215, 3. Spencerville 212, 4. Crestview 210.5, 5. Ada 96, 6. Bluffton 77, 7. Lincolnview 61, 8. Paulding 42, 9. Delphos Jefferson 24
2/13 NWC Girls Basketball Scores
Lincolnview 45 Ada 31
Columbus Grove 80 Allen East 18
Crestview 52 Paulding 50
Spencerville 51 Delphos Jefferson 32
Non-Conference:
Lima Central Catholic 43 Bluffton 42
2/11 Girls Basketball Scores
Ada 58 Waynesfield-Goshen 41
Van Buren 40 Bluffton 29
Lincolnview 63 Ridgemont 25
Paulding 52 Defiance 38
Spencerville 74 Parkway 47
2020 OHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament Brackets
Division III
Lima Sr. High School – Sectional/District
Allen East, Bluffton, Delphos Jefferson, Paulding
Division IV
Bowling Green – Regional
Columbus Grove
Elida High School – Sectional/District
Ada, Columbus Grove, Crestview, Lincolnview
Wapakoneta High School – Sectional/District
Spencerville
2/8 Boys Basketball Scores
Bluffton 38 Riverdale 33
Columbus Grove 42 Jackson Center 40, OT
Wayne Trace 47 Crestview 32
Coldwater 59 Lincolnview 52
Paulding 56 Liberty Center 42
Marion Local 54 Spencerville 51, 2OT
2/8 NWC Girls Basketball Scores
Columbus Grove 53 Delphos Jefferson 28
Non-Conference:
Botkins 58 Allen East 14
Bluffton 53 Miller City 49
2020 OHSAA Wrestling Dual Team Tournament Regionals
OHSAA Team Tournament – Division III – Region 17
1st Round
Elmwood 50 Columbus Grove 24
OHSAA Team Tournament – Division III – Region 24
1st Round
Spencerville 42 Fairview 31
Wayne Trace 40 Bluffton 30
Parkway 52 Paulding 24
Allen East 76 Lincolnview 6
Regional Quarterfinals
Versailles 69 Spencerville 3
Allen East 54 Parkway 24
Regional Semifinal
Allen East 36 Mechanicsburg 34
Regional Championship
Versailles 31 Allen East 29