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
2017 OHSAA Boys Basketball Tournament Brackets
Division III
Lima District
Allen East, Bluffton, Delphos Jefferson, Spencerville
Napoleon District
Paulding
Division IV
Elida District
Columbus Grove, Crestview, Lincolnview
2017 OHSAA Girls Basketball Tournament Brackets
Division III
Elida District
Allen East, Bluffton, Columbus Grove, Delphos Jefferson, Paulding
Division IV
Wapakoneta District
Ada, Crestview, Lincolnview, Spencerville
3/4 OHSAA Wrestling Districts
Division III District at Troy
(Four (4) from each weight class will advance to the State Tournament)
7. Allen East 60, 20. Bluffton 34.5, 24. Ada 23, 34. Delphos Jefferson 17.5, 37. Columbus Grove 10, 49. Lincolnview 1, 53. Spencerville 0
State Qualifiers:
106: 4. Chase Caprella, Allen East
132: 4. Schuyler Caprella, Allen East
138: 3. Chase Sumner, Ada
195: 3. Deandre Nassar, Bluffton
Brackets | Final Results | Placers
Division III District at Waite
(Four (4) from each weight class will advance to the State Tournament)
42. Paulding 3
State Qualifiers:
none
Brackets | Final Results | Placers | Team Scores
3/3 OHSAA Boys Basketball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Championship at Elida
Bluffton 50 Carey 39
Division III Sectional Championship at Wauseon
Archbold 62 Paulding 52
2016-17 NWC Boys Basketball All-Conference Teams
Spencerville senior Dakota Prichard was chosen as the 2016-17 NWC Player of the Year by Northwest Conference boys’ basketball coaches at the annual selection meeting Monday evening in Delphos. Prichard received 117 total points to finish ahead of Jace Stockwell (DJ) who tallied 114 points in a close vote.
Prichard averaged 18 points per game along with 5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Bearcats, with a season high 32 points in the conference clinching win vs. Jefferson.
Prichard and Stockwell were joined on the NWC first team by Javin Etzler (CV), Spencer Miller (AE), Bailey Croft (SV) and Luke Denecker (BL). Prichard, Stockwell, Miller and Croft are seniors while Etzler is a sophomore and Denecker is a freshman.
Coach of the Year honors in the NWC go to Kevin Sensabaugh of Spencerville. He led the Bearcats to an 8-0 conference mark and a regular season record of 17-5. This year’s conference championship was the 8th NWC title in school history for the Bearcats.
The team breakdowns are as follows:
First Team
Dakota Prichard – Spencerville – Senior
Jace Stockwell – Delphos Jefferson – Senior
Javin Etzler – Crestview – Sophomore
Spencer Miller – Allen East – Senior
Bailey Croft – Spencerville – Senior
Luke Denecker – Bluffton – Freshman
Second Team
Rece Roney – Columbus Grove – Senior
Owen Conley – Ada – Senior
Derek Stout – Crestview – Junior
Caden Ringwald – Lincolnview – Junior
Chayten Overholt – Lincolnview – Junior
Honorable Mention
Caleb Smelcer – Allen East – Senior
Ethan Rhonehouse – Paulding – Junior
Alex Rode – Delphos Jefferson – Junior
Gabe Denecker – Bluffton – Senior
Drew Kline – Crestview – Sophomore
Caiden Grothaus – Columbus Grove – Senior
Marcus Miller – Paulding – Junior
Drew Reiss – Delphos Jefferson – Senior
Ryan Rager – Lincolnview – Senior
Jordan Bailey – Ada – Senior
Jaret Miller – Paulding – Sophomore
2/28 OHSAA Boys Basketball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Semifinal at Elida
Bluffton 60 Coldwater 59
Division IV Sectional Semifinal at Van Wert
Lincolnview 66 Antwerp 47
Division IV Sectional Semifinal at Ottawa-Glandorf
Cory-Rawson 62 Columbus Grove 39
Division IV Sectional Semifinal at Coldwater
New Bremen 65 Ada 31
2/25 OHSAA Girls Basketball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Championships at Lincolnview
Columbus Grove 75 Tinora 37
Coldwater 62 Bluffton 57
Division IV Sectional Championship at Allen East
Upper Scioto Valley 57 Crestview 41
2/25 OHSAA Individual Wrestling Sectionals
Division III Sectional Tournament at Lima Central Catholic
(Four (4) from each weight class will advance to the District)
3. Allen East 135.5; 4. Delphos Jefferson 105.; 7. Columbus Grove 90.0; 9. Bluffton 77.5; 11. Ada 53.0; 13. Spencerville 28.0; 14. Lincolnview 19.0
District Qualifiers:
106: 2. Chase Caprella, Allen East; 3. Luke Bullinger, Lincolnview
113: 2. Preston Brubaker, Columbus Grove; 4. Cody Kretzer, Allen East
120: 1. Andrew Foust, Delphos Jefferson; 4. Ryder Romick, Bluffton
132: 1. Schuyler Caprella, Allen East; 4. Dylan Hammond, Columbus Grove
138: 1. Chase Sumner, Ada; 2. Wyatt Place, Delphos Jefferson
145: 1. Luke Brown, Allen East; 3. James Badial-Luna, Bluffton
152: 2. Austin Mault, Bluffton
160: 3. Garrett Neth, Allen East; 4. Cole Wilson, Bluffton
170: 4. David Grant, Delphos Jefferson
182: 3. Enoch Jones, Columbus Grove
195: 2. Deandre Nassar, Bluffton; 4. Dakota Sargeant, Columbus Grove
220: 3. Spencer Wannemacher, Delphos Jefferson; 4. Dylan Sargeant, Columbus Grove
285: 2. Brennan Davies, Allen East; 4. Adam Bailey, Ada
Brackets | Final Results | Placers
Division III Sectional Tournament at Archbold
(Four (4) from each weight class will advance to the District)
12. Paulding 32
District Qualifiers:
132: 3. Logan Mudel, Paulding
2/24 NWC Boys Basketball Scores
Columbus Grove 37 Ada 34
Delphos Jefferson 61 Allen East 52
Crestview 49 Bluffton 35
Lincolnview 67 Paulding 61
2016-17 NWC Girls Basketball All-Conference Teams
Columbus Grove junior post player Paige Bellman was selected as the 2016-17 NWC Player of the Year in voting by Northwest Conference girls basketball coaches. Bellman was a unanimous selection by the coaches in the balloting receiving the maximum of 120 points. Last year’s player of the year, senior Jade Clement (CG) finished second in the balloting with 110 points closely followed by junior Paige Motycka (CV) with 107 points.
Bellman averaged 17.4 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in leading the Bulldogs to an 8-0 conference record and first place in the NWC. She shot at a 65.9% rate while also garnering 3.3 steals and 2.9 blocks per game.
Joining Bellman, Clement and Motycka on the NWC First Team were sophomore Alivia Koenig (BL), senior Haley Wyss (ADA), and junior Sarah Miller (DJ). Bellman, Clement and Koening were repeat first team selections from last year.
Brian Schroeder, who led Columbus Grove (8-0) to the school’s third NWC girls basketball title was selected as the NWC Coach of the Year.
The team breakdowns are as follows:
First Team
Paige Bellman – Columbus Grove – Junior
Jade Clement – Columbus Grove – Senior
Paige Motycka – Crestview – Junior
Alivia Koenig – Bluffton – Sophomore
Haley Wyss – Ada – Senior
Sarah Miller – Delphos Jefferson – Junior
Second Team
Abbie Parkins – Bluffton – Senior
Macy McCluer – Columbus Grove – Senior
Kayla Schimmoeller – Lincolnview – Junior
Faith Vogel – Paulding – Senior
Lyvia Black – Crestview – Junior
Honorable Mention
Jenna Henline – Spencerville – Junior
Averey Rumer – Bluffton – Sophomore
Alena Looser – Lincolnview – Junior
Briana Townley – Paulding – Sophomore
Macy Wallace – Delphos Jefferson – Junior
Lauren Criblez – Allen East – Senior
Alexis Gregory – Crestview – Freshman
Kaiden Grigsby – Spencerville – Junior
Kelsey Berelsman – Delphos Jefferson – Senior
Katlyn Wendel – Lincolnview – Senior
2/21 OHSAA Girls Basketball Sectionals
Division III Sectional Semifinals at Lincolnview
Tinora 53 Delphos Jefferson 36
Bluffton 55 Allen East 36
Division IV Sectional Semifinal at Bath
Hardin Northern 60 Ada 49
2/18 Boys Basketball Scores
Temple Christian 63 Ada 39
Allen East 68 Waynesfield-Goshen 53
Bluffton 54 Kenton 47, OT
Columbus Grove 61 Miller City 58
Crestview 60 New Knoxville 51
Delphos Jefferson 57 Elida 43
Paulding 56 Bryan 55
Spencerville 46 New Bremen 33
2/17 NWC Boys Basketball Scores
Lincolnview 68 Ada 39
Crestview 72 Allen East 55
Columbus Grove 42 Bluffton 39
Spencerville 49 Delphos Jefferson 46, OT
Spencerville Bearcats Boys Basketball – 2017 NWC Champions
2/16 NWC Girls Basketball Scores
Lincolnview 56 Ada 52
Crestview 55 Allen East 24
Columbus Grove 69 Bluffton 24
Delphos Jefferson 77 Spencerville 49
Columbus Grove Girls Basketball – 2017 NWC Champions
2/11 Boys Basketball Scores
McComb 49 Ada 43
Kenton 66 Allen East 61
Bluffton 45 Riverdale 32
Wayne Trace 69 Crestview 44
Fairlawn 78 Lincolnview 60
Liberty Center 63 Paulding 62
Spencerville 58 Marion Local 55