High School Sports Calendar

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL:
Raider Holiday Invitational, Pioneer vs. Lakewood Park, 10 a.m.; Cowan vs. Southern Wells, 11:30 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.; Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Tri at Southern Wells, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 5
SWIMMING: Norwell at East Noble, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Northfield, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Daleville, 6 p.m.; Norwell at FW Blackhawk Christian, 6 p.m.
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Heritage, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Leo at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 7
SWIMMING: Bluffton at South Adams, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Garrett at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.; Norwell at Southern Wells, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 8
GIRLS BASKETBALL: South Adams at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; Bluffton at Garrett, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Carroll, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Wabash Invitational, 8:30 a.m.; Bluffton at Bellmont Super Duals, 9 a.m.; Norwell at Adams Central Invitational, 9 a.m.
JV WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Northfield Invitational, 9 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Heritage, 6 p.m.; Woodlan at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman, 5 p.m.); Carroll at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

AC Super Dual Results

On Wednesday at Adams Central High School in Monroe

The Bluffton Tigers won two of their five dual meets in the Adams Central Super Six Duals.

Bluffton defeated Angola 54-6 and Central Noble 53-10.

Adams Central 37
Bluffton 33

285: Alex Reinhard (AC) win by forfeit
103: Cody Walburn (AC) pin Isaac Higgins (B) 1:51
112: Derek Roe (AC) win by forfeit
119: Philip Gerber (B) dec Michael Hirschy (AC) 4-1
125: Bobby Perry (B) pin Tyler Rupe (AC) 1:44
130: Seth Higgins (B) dec. Blake Thieme (AC) 3-2
135: Zeke Schultz (AC) maj. dec. Jon Raugh (B) 12-1
140: Chantz Luginbill (AC) pin Kedric King (B) 2:45
145: Jared Schwartz (AC) dec. Kyle King (B) 7-5 ot
152: Donald Mock (B) dec. Luke Marbach (AC) 4-1
160: Brady Stevens (AC) win by forfeit
171: Ben Pfister (B) pin Lee Wefel (AC) 5:10
189: Jose Araujo (B) pin Bryce Fuentes (AC) 4:39
215: Ty Bowman (B) pin Taylor Elzey (AC) 4:59

Elwood 34 (+1 team point after win by tie-breaker criteria)
Bluffton 33

103: Double Forfeit
112: Isaac Higgins (B) pin Bobby Harrell (E) 0:38
119: Philip Gerber (B) pin Austin Henson (E) 1:00
125: Bobby Perry (B) pin Damian Slayton (E) 1:33
130: Tanner Boyland (E) dec. Seth Higgins (B) 5-3
135: Brandon Hoel (E) dec. Jon Raugh (B) 6-1
140: Zach Long (E) pin Kedric King (B) 0:31
145: Kyle King (B) pin Dakota Shallenberger (E) 0:36
152: Andrew Plummer (E) dec. Donald Mock (B) 5-1
160: Cody Landrum (E) win by forfeit
171: Ben Pfister (B) pin Kivan Faulstick (E) 1:42
189: Jose Araujo (B) dec. William Maluvac (E) 3-0
215: Tyler Adams (E) pin Ty Bowman (B) 3:44
285: Aaron Cannon (E) win by forfeit

Bluffton 54
Angola 6

112: Double Forfeit
119: Philip Gerber (B) dec. Matt Simmons (A) 4-0
125: Bobby Perry (B) win by forfeit
130: Seth Higgins (B) pin Blake Boyd (A) 3:17
135: Jon Raugh (B) win by forfeit
140: Kedric King (B) win by forfeit
145: Kyle King (B) win by forfeit
152: Donald Mock (B) win by forfeit
160: Double Forfeit
171: Ben Pfister (B) win by forfeit
189: Jose Araujo (B) win by forfeit
215: Zach Terrell (A) pin Ty Bowman (B) 0:52
285: Double Forfeit
103: Isaac Higgins (B) dec. Nico Hensley (A) 3-0

Bluffton 53
Central Noble 10

119: Philip Gerber (B) win by forfeit
125: Bobby Perry (B) win by forfeit
130: Seth Higgins (B) pin Austin Applegate (CN) 1:00
135: Jon Raugh (B) win by forfeit
140: Josh Isaac (CN) pin Kedric King (B) 3:31
145: Kyle King (B) pin Vincent Yurt (CN) 1:02
152: Donald Mock (B) win by forfeit
160: Double Forfeit
171: Tyler Rimmel (CN) maj. dec. Ben Pfister (B) 11-3
189: Jose Araujo (B) pin Eli Eckert (CN) 0:37
215: Ty Bowman (B) win by forfeit
285: Double Forfeit
103: Isaac Higgins (B) win by forfeit
112: Double Forfeit

Bishop Dwenger 50
Bluffton 22

125: Bobby Perry (B) pin 5:51
130: Seth Higgins (B) dec. Michael Nix (BD) 5-3
135: Corey Delaney (BD) maj. dec. Jon Raugh (B) 9-0
140: Russell Coonan (BD) pin Kedric King (B) 0:55
145: Jordan Venderley (BD) pin Kyle King (B) 3:27
152: Carter Delaney (BD) pin Donald Mock (B) 1:48
160: Ben Evans (BD) win by forfeit
171: Brendan Berghoff (BD) maj. dec. Ben Pfister (B) 12-3
189: Peter Weikel (BD) win by injury default over Jose Araujo (B)
215: Ty Bowman (B) dec. Bronson Hillman (BD) 7-6
285: Isaac Evans (BD) win by forfeit
103: Isaac Higgins (B) maj. dec. Logan Parrish (BD) 14-1
112: Tim Burns (BD) win by forfeit
119: Philip Gerber (B) pin Cameron Scher (BD) 0:36

High School Sports Calendar

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL:
Raider Holiday Invitational, Pioneer vs. Lakewood Park, 10 a.m.; Cowan vs. Southern Wells, 11:30 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.; Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Clouser places 45th in golf tourney
McCormick Clouser, a Norwell junior, finished tied for 45th in the 62nd Donald Ross Junior Golf Championship last weekend at Pinehurst Country Club in Pinehurst, N.C.
Clouser was among 191 competitors in the boys’ 15-17 age division.
On the first day, Clouser shot a three-over par 75 on the Pinehurst No. 2 course, which will be the site of the 2014 Men’s and Women’s U.S. Open. He carded two birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey. On day two, Clouser carded an eight-over 80 on the Pinehurst No. 4 layout with eight bogeys.

Races postponed at Anderson
ANDERSON — The 12th New Year’s Day Bash, which was scheduled for Friday, has been postponed due to cold, windy conditions and rescheduled for Saturday, March 13.
Speedway officials decided to reschedule the event in March, because January’s forecast predicts similar frigid conditions.
These conditions would be too extreme for competitors, fans and track officials. Additionally, the track’s fire extinguishers would be unable to handle the weather conditions.
The racing program was slated to feature ThunderCars, Pure Stocks, Front Wheel Drives (Oval and Figure 8s) and Mini Cups.

Bluffton vs. Norwell Varsity Basketball

Bluffton took on Norwell Tuesday night in a long anticipated game. The Tigers beat the Knights in overtime 57-56.

Managing Editor Glen Werling was there and capture some fantastic video. Check it out:

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

JV Raiders win girls’ hoops tourney
The Southern Wells Raiders won the Adams Central junior varsity girls’ basketball tournament Monday at Monroe.
The Raiders (7-5) defeated Adams Central 35-24 in the championship game. Josie Rhodes led the Raiders with eight points. Tylar Sanford and Sam Rhodes each netted six points. Kayona Benefiel, Katie Early and Brittney Morton each added four points and Kaylie McCammon three. Adams Central was led by Jenae Blackburn with 10.
Southern Wells downed South Adams 35-19 in the first round. Sanford poured in 12 points to lead the Raiders. Sam Rhodes and Morton each added six points, McCammon five, Benefiel two, Josie Rhodes two and Early two.
Adams Central beat Bluffton 37-34 in the first round. Jessica Ripley led the Jets with eight points and Blackburn added six. Leslee Peeper topped Bluffton with 14, while Peyton Fugate added nine, Danielle Brown six and Connelly Mettler four. Sheena Steffen tossed in one point. Brown also had nine rebounds and Steffen grabbed seven.

Norwell JV girls are runners-up
The Norwell girls’ junior varsity basketball team finished second in their tournament Monday, losing to Homestead 38-35 in the championship game.
Sophie Gerber led Norwell with 14 points against Homestead. Jami Reinhard added nine and Jessica Louison had six. Amber Haiflich and Carlee Harnish each finished with three points.
Harnish scored 10 points to pace Norwell over East Noble. Haiflich and Reinhard each had eight points. Gerber added six and Louison five.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 29
BOYS BASKETBALL: Norwell at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman game, 5 p.m.)

Wednesday, Dec. 30
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at DeKalb 4-way Tourney, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Adams Central, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

Turtle program for preschoolers at Salamonie

Indiana DNR Release:

Children ages 2 to 5 are invited to “Turtle Trek” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 20 and 21 at the Salamonie Interpretive Center.

Turtle Trek includes indoor and outdoor activities focusing on turtles and their survival. Participants can make crafts, and experience natural turtle habitats. Be sure to dress for the weather.

The same program is being offered once each day to accommodate more children.

Participants are welcome to arrive early to enjoy the exhibit area and gift shop, and may bring a lunch to eat together after the event.

Caregivers must remain with their child throughout the program. There is a $2 fee per child. Gate fees are waived at this time. Register by calling (260) 468-2127.

Night hiking and sky viewing at Roush Lake

Indiana DNR Release:

Celebrate the still of winter by joining in “The Silence of a Moonlit Winter’s Night” from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at Roush Lake.

Participants will hike under the light of a full moon, view the night sky with Fort Wayne Astronomical Society member telescopes, eat a “moon meal,” listen to stories around a bonfire and take part in a vehicle assisted scavenger hunt.

Program fee is $10 per participant. Registration is required. Register by calling (260) 468-2127.

Salamonie Reservoir seniors lunch, Jan. 4

Indiana DNR Release:


The PBS documentary “Indiana State Parks: Treasures in Your Own Backyard” will be shown at the monthly seniors lunch on Jan. 4 at Salamonie Interpretive Center in Huntington County.

The video showcases a number of Indiana state parks, introducing viewers to the history and natural beauty of the parks, and to people dedicated to preserving the parks for future generations.

The program is open to persons age 50 and older and begins at 12:30 p.m. A meat dish will be provided by Upper Wabash Interpretive Services. Seniors should bring a dish to share, their own table service, and $1 donation to help defray the cost of the provided meat dish.

Register before Jan. 2 by calling (260) 468-2127, or in person at the interpretive center.

Huntington Eagles Sports Club Basketball teams

The Varsity Eagles and Varsity Lady Eagles will participate in the Cougar Classic on Tuesday and Wednesday 12/29-30/09 at Lakeland Christian Academy in Winona Lake. Each team will play three games in a round robin. The Lakeland Christian Academy Cougars Varsity Boys and Girls, the Trinity Titans (Greenlawn/South Bend) Varsity Boys and Girls, the Indy Trailblazers Varsity Girls and the Noble/Whitley Warriors Varsity Boys will be the other participants in this event.
http://www.lcacougars.com/ http://www.trinityschools.org/


Schedule Tuesday 12/29/09
Noon Girls Landland - Indy Trailblazers
1:30PM Boys Landland - Noble/Whitley Warriors
3:00 PM Girls Trinity - Huntington Eagles
4:30 PM Boys Trinity - Huntington Eagles
6:00 PM Girls Landland - Huntington Eagles
7:30 PM Boys Landland - Huntington Eagles
Wednesday 12/30/09
10:00 AM Girls Huntington Eagles - Indy Trailblazers
11:30 AM Boys Noble/Whitley Warriors - Huntington Eagles
1:00 PM Girls Trinity - Indy Trailblazers
2:30 PM Boys Trinity - Noble/Whitley Warriors
4:00 PM Girls Landland - Trinity
5:30 PM Boys Landland - Trinity
7:00 PM Awards Presentation

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 29
BOYS BASKETBALL: Norwell at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman game, 5 p.m.)

Wednesday, Dec. 30
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at DeKalb 4-way Tourney, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Adams Central, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

Nuisance wildlife information is now online

Indiana DNR Release:

Hoosiers trying to deal with nuisance wildlife can now access a broad range of information any time of the day, any day of the year on the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Web site.

An easy link to the DNR’s new Nuisance Wildlife online product is on the main DNR Web site. Simply go to www.dnr.IN.gov and click on the Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife icon with a photograph of a raccoon. It also can be accessed at www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/2351.htm.

The DNR previously shared a wildlife conflicts hotline with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but that phone line was staffed only during business hours and was not reachable at night or on weekends or holidays. The hotline will cease operation Jan. 1.

The Nuisance Wildlife page provides specific information on the general characteristics, food habits, distribution, reproduction, prevention and control techniques, and disease threats of many species of mammals and birds, as well as general information about snakes.

Many wild animals in Indiana have become displaced as the result of urban growth and removal of their habitat. While some species may move to other areas where natural habitat exists, some species actually thrive in urban settings. Wild animals such as these are protected by the State of Indiana for all of the citizens of Indiana, but sometimes they cannot peaceably coexist.

Because of the large number of raccoons and other species that cause a nuisance for landowners throughout the state, the DNR is unable to provide assistance to actually help remove the animals. The DNR does offer some solutions and advice on how to try to prevent future problems and remove wild animals that have created a problem.

The DNR also licenses individuals to provide nuisance wild animal control services to the public. Find one near you by going to http://wildlifehotline.info/ and clicking on the “Find A Professional” link near the top of the page.

Athletics Announces Remainder Of Basketball Television Schedule

MUNCIE, Ind. – The Ball State athletics department in conjunction with the Ball State Sports Network (BSSN) has announced the broadcast schedule for the remainder of the men’s and women’s basketball season. The Ball State Sports Network will televise seven men’s games and two women’s games in January, February and March. The Cardinals will also have two men’s games broadcast on FSN Indiana as part of the Mid-American Conference television package.
The first BSSN broadcast of 2010 will be the men’s game January 9 against Northern Illinois. Affiliates for the game include WIPB-Muncie, WTTV-4 (4.2 only), WHME-South Bend, WTTK-Kokomo (29.2 only), WNDA-Jeffersonville, WYCS-Louisville, WTVO-Rockford (Ill.), Hometown Television-Noblesville (tape delay), Comcast 81/Brighthouse-Indianapolis (tape delay) and Comcast/Brighthouse-Fort Wayne (tape delay).
The Ball State Sports Network will also broadcast the January 23 men’s game at Eastern Michigan. Affiliates include WIPB-Muncie, WTTV-4 (4.2 only), WHME-South Bend (tape delay), WTTK-Kokomo (29.2 only), WNDA-Jeffersonville, WYCS-Louisville, Hometown Television-Noblesville (tape delay), Comcast 81/Brighthouse-Indianapolis (tape delay) and Comcast/Brighthouse-Fort Wayne (tape delay).
Rounding out the month of January is the women’s broadcast of the January 27 contest against Akron and the January 31 men’s game at Ohio. The women’s game will be broadcast on WIPB-Muncie only while the men’s game will be broadcast on WIPB-Muncie, WTTV-4 (4.1 only), WTTK-Kokomo (29.1 only), WNDA-Jeffersonville, WYCS-Louisville, WTVO-Rockford (Ill.), Hometown Television-Noblesville (tape delay), Comcast 81/Brighthouse-Indianapolis (tape delay) and Comcast/Brighthouse-Fort Wayne (tape delay).
The BSSN will broadcast three games in February with the men’s contest at Kent State (2/10), at home against Central Michigan (2/17) and at Toledo (2/27) on the schedule. The Ball State Sports Network rounds out the basketball broadcast schedule with two games in March including the women’s game March 2 against Central Michigan and the men’s game March 4 at Western Michigan.
The Cardinals will play two home games on FSN Indiana this season with the January 17 game against Toledo and the February 6 game against Akron being broadcast as part of the MAC television package.


January/February/March Basketball Television Schedule
Date Sport Opponent Network Time
Jan. 9 MBB Northern Illinois BSSN 2 p.m.
Affiliates: WIPB-Muncie, WTTV-4 (4.2 only), WHME-South Bend, WTTK-Kokomo (29.2 only), WNDA-Jeffersonville, WYCS-Louisville, WTVO-Rockford (Ill.), Hometown Television-Noblesville (tape delay), Comcast 81/Brighthouse-Indianapolis (tape delay) and Comcast/Brighthouse-Fort Wayne (tape delay).
Jan. 17 MBB Toledo FSN Indiana 1 p.m.
Jan. 23 MBB at Eastern Michigan BSSN 2 p.m.
Affiliates: WIPB-Muncie, WTTV-4 (4.2 only), WHME-South Bend (tape delay), WTTK-Kokomo (29.2 only), WNDA-Jeffersonville, WYCS-Louisville, WTVO-Rockford (Ill.), Hometown Television-Noblesville (tape delay), Comcast 81/Brighthouse-Indianapolis (tape delay) and Comcast/Brighthouse-Fort Wayne (tape delay).
Jan. 27 WBB Akron BSSN 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 MBB at Ohio BSSN 2 p.m.
Affiliates: WIPB-Muncie, WTTV-4 (4.1 only), WTTK-Kokomo (29.1 only), WNDA-Jeffersonville, WYCS-Louisville, WTVO-Rockford (Ill.), Hometown Television-Noblesville (tape delay), Comcast 81/Brighthouse-Indianapolis (tape delay) and Comcast/Brighthouse-Fort Wayne (tape delay).
Feb. 6 MBB Akron FSN Indiana Noon
Feb. 10 MBB at Kent State BSSN 7 p.m.
Feb. 17 MBB Central Michigan BSSN 7 p.m.
Feb. 27 MBB at Toledo BSSN 7 p.m.

March 2 WBB Central Michigan BSSN 7 p.m.
March 4 MBB at Western Michigan BSSN 7 p.m.

Jones Named MAC West Co-Player Of The Week

MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State sophomore forward Jarrod Jones (Michigan City, Ind./Michigan City) has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division Co-Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. This is Jones’ second career MAC weekly honor and he joins Western Michigan’s Alex Wolf as this week’s West Division representatives.
Jones, the reigning MAC Freshman of the Year, led the Cardinals to a 59-45 victory over North Carolina Central as he posted his second double-double in the past three games. He scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to record his fifth career double dip. He led the Cardinals’ second half surge as he scored 12 of his 16 points in the second frame, including a stretch of 10 straight points for BSU. He connected on five-of-10 from the field and was six-of-eight from the free throw line, while also handing out a career-high three assists.
Jones leads the team and is fourth in the MAC this season in scoring as he averages 14.9 points per game. He has scored in double figures in seven of the first nine games this season, including six games of at least 16 points. He also leads the team and is seventh in the league on the glass as he averages 7.1 boards per game.
Jones and the Cardinals return to action tonight as they host Maryland Eastern Shore at 7 p.m. at Worthen Arena.

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, Dec. 28
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Bi-County Tournament at Southern Wells, 9 a.m.
GIRLS JV BASKETBALL: Bluffton, Southern Wells at Bi-County Tournament at Adams Central, 9 a.m.; Norwell Tournament, 9 a.m.
GIRLS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Columbia City Tournament, 9 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29
BOYS BASKETBALL: Norwell at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman game, 5 p.m.)

Wednesday, Dec. 30
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at DeKalb 4-way Tourney, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Adams Central, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

12th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne

Saturday, Dec. 26 and Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009 ● Memorial Coliseum Expo Center ● Fort Wayne, Ind.

SUNDAY RESULTS

MIDGETS (National/Ford Focus/Kenyon)

Qualifications – 1. Dave Darland, 0, Daugherty, 8.105; 2. Jon Stanbrough, 7, Clouse, 8.111; 3. Cory Setser, 56, Rencurrel, 8.114; 4. Mike Fedorcak, 97, Stewart, 8.164; 5. Billy Wease, 99, Burrow, 8.213; 6. David Gough, 11, A&G, 8.258; 7. Adam Wilsdon, 3, Barnett, 8.304; 8. Joe Liguori, 28, Cottongim, 8.346; 9. Geoff Kaiser, 10, Moore, 8.372; 11. Bryan Sebetto, 08up, 8.408; 12. Brandon Knupp, 15k, Knupp, 8.449; 13. Matt Westfall, 19, Ryder, 8.454; 14. Rich Corson, 15, Corson-Savage, 8.458; 15. Ronnie Wuerdeman, 33x, Wuerdeman, 8.501; 16. Johnny Heydenreich, 25, Estep, 8.531; 17. Ginny Quinones, 00, Quinones, 8.548; 18. Bryan Nuckles, 59, Nuckles, 8.554; 19. Jeremy Warren, 49, Burrow, 8.585; 20. Jake Blackhurst, 25b, Blackhurst, 8.603; 21. Arin McIntosh, 8, McIntosh; 22. Taylor Ferns, 55, Motor City, 8.608; 23. Jim Anderson, 36, Guess, 8.608; 24. Dan Dunigan Jr., 19, Dunigan, 8.634; 25. Kim Hughes, 6z, Johncox, 8.667; 26. Mel Kenyon, 61, Kenyon, 8.754; 26. Zach Leeke, 19x, Leeke, 8.831; 27. David Fuhrman, 32, Fuhrman, 9.020; 28. Nick Wilson, 33w, 9.036; 29. Isaac Chapple, 52, Chapple, 9.061; 30. Mike Schenker, 21, Fuhrman, 9.082; 31. Kyle O’Gara, 23, Fisher, 9.220; 32. Mark Mason, 5m, Mason, 9.858; 33. Tim Jedrzejek, 8up, Williams, NT; 34. Russ Gamester, 46, Gamester; 35. Ronnie McLean, 67, McLean, NT; 36. Moe Lilje, 5, Williams, NT; 37. Andrew Prather, p8, Prather, NT.
First heat (10 laps) – Wease, Darland, Corson, Nuckles, Ferns, Kenyon, Jedrzejek, Kaiser, Chapple.
Second heat (10 laps) -- Stanbrough, Sebetto, Anderson, Gamester, Leeke, Gough, Schenker, Warren, Wuerdeman.
Third heat (10 laps) -- Wilsdon, Knupp, Heydenreich, Setser, Blackhurst, Dunigan, McLean, Fuhrman, O'Gara.
Fourth heat (10 laps) – Liguori, Fedorcak, Quinones, McIntosh, Hughes, Wilson, Mason, Westfall.
First semi-feature (10 laps) – Setser, Jedrzejek, Heydenreich, Fuhrman, Schenker, Warren, Hughes, Ferns, Westfall.
Second semi-feature (10 laps) – Gough, Corson, Quinones, Anderson, Blackhurst, Kenyon, Wilson, Gamester.
Third semi-feature (10 laps) -- Kaiser, Wuerdeman, Nuckles, McIntosh, Leeke, Dunigan, Chapple, Mason, McLean.
Feature (60 laps) – 1. Billy Wease; 2. Dave Darland; 3. David Gough; 4. Joe Liguori; 5. Jon Stanbrough; 6. Geoff Kaiser; 7. Rich Corson; 8. Tim Jedrzejek; 9. Mel Kenyon; 10. Mike Fedorcak; 11. Brandon Knupp; 12. Adam Wilsdon; 13. Bryan Sebetto; 14. Ronnie Wuerdeman; 15. Cory Setser. Lap leaders: Wilsdon 1-44, Wease 45-60.

WINGED OUTLAW MODIFIED MIDGETS

Qualifications – 1. Matt Janisch, 14j, 8.291 seconds; 2. Ryan Smith, 22, 8.414; 3. Amanda Quinones, 00, 8.431; 4. John Ivy, 02, 8.480; 5. Tyler Underwood, 7, 8.557; 6. Chris Miller, 29, 8.593; 7. Larry Joe Sroufe, 21, 8.633; 8. Paul Price, 61, 8.684; 9. Dan Dunigan Jr., 19d, 8.739; 10. Richard Smith, 12, 8.787; 11. Ben Quinones, 97, 8.801; 12. Russ Gamester, 96, 8.856; 13. Marv Hephner, 45, 8.930; 14. Mark Zumbrun, 35z, 8.940; 15. Ben Taylor, 19, 8.963; 16. Michael Kettnich, 19k, 9.107; 17. Larry Fox, 28, 9.181; 18. Dennis Veach, 13, 9.187; 19.Jeremy Glasford, 76, 9.213; 20. Ben Gaerte, 56, 9.218; 21. Gary Klein, 68, 9.289; 22. Ryan Nawrocki, 5, 9.293; 23. A.J. Lesiecki, 14, 9.413; 24. Cole Bodine, 57, 9.450; 25. Greg Baer, 17x, 9.674; 26. Nathan Metzinger, 55, 9.968; 27. Bradley Lamberson, 27, NT; 28. Jason Ormsby, 51, NT; 29. Braiden Black, 96b, NT; 30. Bill Dunham, 84, NT.
First heat (8 laps) – Underwood, Dunigan, Janisch, Hephner, Klein, Baer, Fox, Black.
Second heat (8 laps) – Miller, Ri. Smith, Ry. Smith, Zumbrun, Nawrocki, Metzinger, Veach.
Third heat (8 laps) – A. Quinones, Taylor, Glasford, Lesiecki, Sroufe, B. Quinones.
Fourth heat (8 laps) – Gamester, Ivy, Price, Bodine, Kettnich, Gaerte.
First semi-feature (8 laps) – Sroufe, Hephner, Klein, Baer, Lesiecki, Kettnich, Black.
Second semi-feature (8 laps) – B. Quinones, Zumbrun, Gaerte, Fox, Metzinger, Nawrocki, Bodine.
Feature (40 laps) – 1. Ryan Smith; 2. John Ivy; 3. Chris Miller; 4. Matt Janisch; 5. Dan Dunigan Jr.; 6. Larry Joe Sroufe; 7. Amanda Quinones; 8. Richard Smith; 9. Paul Price; 10. Ben Taylor; 11. Mark Zumbrun; 12. Jeremy Glasford; 13. Marv Hephner; 14. Russ Gamester; 15. Ben Quinones; 16. Tyler Underwood. Lap leaders: Ivy 1-7 Ry. Smith 8-40.

IKO MINICUP STOCK CARS

Heat, round one (8 laps) – Trey Craig, Cole Williams, Jacob McClay, Ryley Wyans, Cory Deyser, Austin Johnson.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Wyans, Williams, Brett Robinson, McClay, Craig, Johnson, Deyser.
Feature (20 laps) – 1. Cole Williams; 2. Ryley Wyans; 3. Brett Robinson; 4. Trey Craig; 5. Cory Deyser; 6. Austin Johnson; 7. Jacob McClay.

SENIOR HEAVY KARTS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Brandon Dunn, Cameron Deckard, James Hansen, Robbie Sarchet, Justin Overfelt, Dustin Hammond, Phil Strahl, Dustin Heath, Samantha Davis.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Zach Axlen, Nick Bowers, Stephen Applegate, Brad Schieber, Dustin Ingle, Alleca Kerker, Nick Higdon, Jared Davis, Sam Longanbach.
Third heat, round one (8 laps) – Jake Shelley, Ryan Moran, Adam Unverferth, Justin Sondergroth, Cody Lein, Kaleb Presley, Austin Long, Brian Barnett.
Fourth heat, round one (8 laps) – Brandon Young, Brad Bowers, Josh McKnight, John Ivy, Ali Kern, Damen Bock, Mickey Kudlicki, William Holbrook Jr.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Dunn, Heath, Deckard, Sarchet, Hansen, Overfelt, Strahl, Hammond.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Kerker, Axlen, N. Bowers, Applegate, Schieber, Longanbach, Ingle, Higdon.
Third heat, round two (8 laps) – Shelley, Moran, Sondergroth, Long, Unverferth, Lein, Presley.
Fourth heat, round two (8 laps) – Young, McKnight, B. Bowers, Kern, Bock, Kudlicki, Holbrook, Ivy.
First semi-feature (8 laps) – Deckard, Sachet, Applegate, Schieber, Bock, Long, Longanbach.
Second semi-feature (8 laps) – Kerker, McKnight, Kern, Hansen, Higdon, Lein, Ivy.
Third semi-feature (8 laps) – Sondergroth, N. Bowers, Ingle, Holbrook, Unverferth, Overfelt, Hammond, Heath.
Feature (20 laps) – 1. Brandon Dunn; 2. Brandon Young; 3. Jake Shelley; 4. Alleca Kerker; 5. Robbie Sarchet; 6. Ryan Moran; 7. Cameron Deckard; 8. Josh McKnight; 9. Justin Sondergroth; 10. Zach Axlen; 11. Brad Bowers; 12. Nick Bowers.

SENIOR MEDIUM KARTS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Brandon Dunn, Nick Bowers, Stephen Applegate, Brad Bowers, Adam Unverferth, Dylan Woodling, Zach Henderson, Sam Longanbach, Jared Davis.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Dustin Heath, Dillon Nusbaum, William Holbrook Jr., Brock Wilson, Ryan Wilson, David Curtis, Austin Long, Samantha Davis, Travis Hoffbauer.
Third heat, round one (8 laps) – Alleca Kerker, Justin Sondergroth, Nick Higdon, Jake Shelley, Kyle Dautrich, Zach Myers, John Ivy, Darrin Hurley, Justin Overfelt.
Fourth heat, round one (8 laps) – Brandon Young, Ryan Moran, Zach Axlen, Josh McKnight, Brad Schieber, Cameron Deckard, Robbie Sarchet, Ali Kern.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Dunn, Applegate, B. Bowers, Longanbach, Henderson, N. Bowers, Woodling, Unverferth.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Heath, B. Wilson, Long, Holbrook, R. Wilson, Curtis.
Third heat, round two (8 laps) – Dautrich, Sondergroth, Kerker, Overfelt, Higdon, Shelley, Ivy, Myers, Hurley.
Fourth heat, round two (8 laps) – Young, Sarchet, Deckard, McKnight, Schieber, Moran, Axlen, Kern.
First semi-feature (8 laps) – McKnight, Deckard, Nusbaum, Holbrook, B. Wilson, Myers, R. Wilson, Henderson, Overfelt.
Second semi-feature (8 laps) – Dautrich, Axlen, Moran, Long, Unverferth, Ivy, Hurley.
Third semi-feature (8 laps) – B. Bowers, Sarchet, Shelley, N. Bowers, Schieber, Longanbach, Woodling.
Feature (20 laps) – 1. Brandon Dunn; 2. Alleca Kerker; 3. Robbie Sarchet; 4. Brad Bowers; 5. Josh McKnight; 6. Dustin Heath; 7. Cameron Deckard; 8. Kyle Dautrich; 9. Stephen Applegate; 10. Justin Sondergroth.

SENIOR CAGED KARTS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Chad Orth, Dustin Morr, Ron Vandermier, Jay Portman, Cody Prosser, Chance Kloecker, Rick Dukes, Nathan Kelly, Cole Rhoton, Dave Barker.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Brad Schieber, Sam Longanbach, Dustin Ingle, Phil Schneider, A.J. Roderick, Mike Ernsberger, Jason Tigner, Jake Wachtman, Jason Ormsby, Mike Gass.
Third heat, round one (8 laps) – Chris Neuenschwander, Damen Bock, Brandon Schnittke, Jared Bennett, Kyle Henry, Nick Welch, Nick Keller, Nathan Dishoungh, Ayden Ferrier.
Fourth heat, round one (8 laps) – Joe Warner, Sara Zimmerman, Breanna Deckard, Mike Villena, Craig Strayer, Eric Wolleson, Rob Bowers, Tom Wetmore, Marie McKnight, Mike Gass.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Orth, Kloecker, Kelly, Vandermier, Morr, Prosser, Portman, Dukes.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Longanbach, Ingle, Roderick, Schieber, Ernsberger, Schneider, Tigner, Wachtman.
Third heat, round two (8 laps) – Schnittke, Dishoungh, Neuenschwander, Bock, Keller, Bennett, Henry, Welch.
Fourth heat, round two (8 laps) – Strayer, Villena, Zimmerman, Deckard, Warner, McKnight, Wolleson, Wetmore, Bowers.
First semi-feature (8 laps) – Ingle, Deckard, Strayer, Dishoungh, Roderick, Keller, Portman, Wachtman.
Second semi-feature (8 laps) – Warner, Villena, Kelly, Wolleson, Bowers, Prosser.
Third semi-feature (8 laps) – Schneider, Bock, Barker, Ernsberger, Henry, Vandermier, McKnight.
Feature (20 laps) – 1. Chad Orth; 2. Chris Neuenschwander; 3. Phil Schneider; 4. Brad Schieber; 5. Sara Zimmerman; 6. Dustin Ingle; 7. Mike Villena; 8. Mike Gass; 9. Brandon Schnittke; 10. Joe Warner; 11. Breanna Deckard; 12. Sam Longanbach.

JUNIOR HEAVY KARTS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Preston Oberle, Max Stambaugh, Nate Randall, Brandon Askren, Kelsey Ivy, John Plotner, Matt Farnham.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Zach Loe, Ty Majeski, Matt Randall, Kyle DeKnight, Derek Hammond, Derek Lilly, Dylan Hoffbauer.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Askren, Oberle, Plotner, Ivy, N. Randall, Stambaugh, Karl Kildea, Farnham.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Majeski, Hammond, M. Randall, Loe, Lilly, DeKnight.
Semi-feature (8 laps) – Stambaugh, N. Randall, Ivy, DeKnight, Plotner, Lilly, Farnham, Kildea.
Feature (20 laps) – 1. Preston Oberle; 2. Max Stambaugh; 3. Brandon Askren; 4. Ty Majeski; 5. Matt Randall; 6. Kelsey Ivy; 7. John Plotner; 8. Kyle DeKnight; 9. Nate Randall; 10. Zack Loe; 12. Derek Hammond.

JUNIOR CAGED KARTS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – John Hawley, Bradley Brown, Cole Roberson, Alex Grino, Frankie Lara Jr., Jaclyn LeJeune, Cory Guingrich.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Kelsey Ivers, Stratton Briggs, Jared Best, Ryan Ball, Dominic Phillips, Kiley Burris, Jeremiah Plummer.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Hawley, Lara, Roberson, Grino, LeJeune.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Ivers, Briggs, Ball, Phillips, Burris, Best, Plummer.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. John Hawley; 2. Kelsey Ivers; 3. Stratton Briggs; 4. Ryan Ball; 5. Jared Best; 6. Frankie Lara Jr.; 7. Cole Roberson; 8. Kiley Burris; 9. Alex Grino; 10. Jeremiah Plummer; 11. Dominic Phillips.

CLONE KARTS

Heat, round one (8 laps) – David Budres, Lucas Chaudoin, Charlie Schultz, Brenden Kopis, Tim Ice, Brian McFeeters, Matt Randall, Jordyn Lorencz, Tony Godwin, A.J. Lesiecki, David McClain.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Lorencz, Chaudoin.
Feature (20 laps) – 1. Charlie Schultz; 2. Lucas Chaudoin; 3. Tim Ice; 4. David Budres; 5. Brian McFeeters; 6. Jordyn Lorencz; 7. Brenden Kopis; 8. Tony Godwin; 9. A.J. Lesiecki; 10. Matt Randall.

KID KARTS

Heat, round one (8 laps) – Nic Sheppard, Laykee Kemp, Alexander Klement, Gage Rodgers, Michael Weaver.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Sheppard, Kemp, Klement, Weaver, Rodgers.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Nic Sheppard; 2. Laykee Kemp; 3. Michael Weaver; 4. Alexander Klement; 5. Gage Rodgers.

JR. SPRINTS

Heat, round one (8 laps) – Garrett Johnson, Caleb Wilkerson, Gabe Wilson, Cameron Forman, Devan Myers, Levi Johnson.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Forman, Wilkerson, Myers, Johnson, Jason Rogers, Johnson, Wilson.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Caleb Wilkerson; 2. Cameron Forman; 3. Gabe Wilson.

JEGS HEAVY 160 QUARTER MIDGETS

Heat, round one (8 laps) – Justen Garmenn, John Klavon Jr., Travis Ford, Richie Streicher, Trey Johnson, Mike Gass, Myles Chandler, David McKinney, Jonathon Lesiecki.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Streicher, Garmenn, Klavon, Johnson, Gass, Lesiecki, Chandler, McKinney, Ford.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Travis Ford; 2. John Klavon Jr.; 3. Justen Garmenn; 4. Trey Johnson; 5. Mike Gass; 6. Richie Streicher; 7. Jonathon Lesiecki; 8. Myles Chandler; 9. David McKinney.

JEGS LIGHT 160 QUARTER MIDGETS

Heat, round one (8 laps) – Ross Rankine, Cooper Clouse, Austin Nemire, Chase Ridenour, Griffin Brown, Hayden Dickerson, Blake Schneider, Danny Leaper, Mox Price.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Nemire, Price, Rankine, Clouse, Ridenour, Brown, Schneider, Dickerson, Leaper.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Austin Nemire; 2. Ross Rankine; 3. Chase Ridenour; 4. Mox Price; 5. Hayden Dickerson; 6. Blake Schneider; 7. Cooper Clouse; 8. Danny Leaper; 9. Griffin Brown.

JEGS HEAVY HONDA QUARTER MIDGETS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Jonathon Lesiecki, Trey Johnson, Brittany Starke, Myles Chandler.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Travis Ford, Mike Gass, Mady Andrews, Kyra Yard.
Heat, round two (8 laps) – Ford, Lesiecki, Gass, Starke, Yard, Chandler, Andrews, Johnson.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Jonathon Lesiecki; 2. Mke Gass; 3. Travis Ford; 4. Mady Andrews; 5. Trey Johnson; 6. Myles Chandler; 7. Kyra Yard; 8. Brittany Starke.

JEGS SENIOR HONDA QUARTER MIDGETS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Austin Nemire, Ross Rankine, Griffin Brown, Starla Parsons, Jaclyn LeJeune, Jonathon Lesiecki, Jacob Brown, Alex Grino, Dustin Anderson.
Second heat, round one (8 laps) – Chase Ridenour, Aaron Leffel, Cooper Clouse, Mox Price, Bud McCune, Alex Benovich, Carson Campbell, Hayden Dickerson.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Rankine, Nemire, J. Brown, Parsons, LeJeune, G. Brown, Lesiecki, Anderson, Grino.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Clouse, Ridenour, Dickerson, Campbell, Price, Leffel, Benovich, McCune.
First feature (15 laps) – 1. Hayden Dickerson; 2. Carson Campbell; 3. Jonathon Lesiecki; 4. Jaclyn LeJeune; 5. Dustin Anderson; 6. Alex Grino; 7. Bud McCune.
Second feature (15 laps) – 1. Ross Rankine; 2. Cooper Clouse; 3. Austin Nemire; 4. Griffin Brown; 5. Mox Price; 6. Starla Parsons; 7. Jacob Brown; 8. Chase Ridenour; 9. Aaron Leffel.

JEGS JUNIOR HONDA QUARTER MIDGETS

First heat, round one (8 laps) – Blake Schneider, Danny Leaper, Jared Leffler, Ryan Barr, Richard Johnson, Garrett Weil.
Second round, round one (8 laps) – Louis McGrath, Zeb Wise, Wesley Sargent, Austin Nigh.
First heat, round two (8 laps) – Leaper, Schneider, Leffel, Barr, Weil, Johnson.
Second heat, round two (8 laps) – Wise, McGrath, Sargent, Nigh.
Feature (15 laps) – 1. Danny Leaper; 2. Louis McGrath; 3. Zeb Wise; 4. Jared Leffel; 5. Blake Schneider; 6. Ryan Barr; 7. Richard Johnson; 8. Garrett Weil; 9. Wesley Sargent; 10. Austin Nigh.

Wease completes sweep as Kenyon retires

By RON WARE
Classic Motorsports

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On a night when auto racing bade farewell to one of its enduring – and endearing – figures, one of his protégés honored him by driving to victory lane.
Billy Wease, one of the scores of young drivers nurtured by the retiring Mel Kenyon, held off a relentless Dave Darland on Sunday to complete a weekend sweep of the midget features in the 12th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne” at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
The 23-year-old Wease joined two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart as the only drivers to win both midget features in a Rumble Series weekend. But the Noblesville, Ind., resident knew the day belonged to Kenyon, the eight-time Indianapolis 500 starter, seven-time USAC national midget champion and all-time nice guy who ended a 56-year driving career.
“It’s such an honor to drive in Mel Kenyon’s last race,” said Wease, who remembers approaching the Hall of Famer for advice when he began driving Kenyon Cars at age 12. “He was a big part of me deciding to become a race driver. He’s done so much for racing.”
The 76-year-old Kenyon didn’t add to his 382 career victories, but he persevered to finish ninth in the 60-lap feature after being added to the field by Rumble Series promoter Tony Barhorst. He had finished sixth on Saturday.
“Everybody is congratulating me, and I get a little emotional,” a misty-eyed Kenyon said, pausing. “It’s over. I’m glad we got in the feature. I’d have rather have gotten in ‘lawfully,’ but we were in it -- and the car’s still in one piece.
“Anytime you do something last, it’s one more miracle,” he said, having to pause. “It’s emotional.”
Fellow Indy 500 veteran Tom Bigelow was among those who attended to pay tribute to Kenyon. Long before he made it to the Brickyard and became a USAC champion, Bigelow was a young driver in need of a career break. The Kenyons – Mel and his brother, Don, his lifelong chief mechanic – provided it by hiring him to drive one of their midgets at Sun Prairie, Wis.
Bigelow never forgot, calling Kenyon a clean driver and great teacher who had time for anyone.
“You could always run up there with him without getting in trouble,” said Bigelow, whose first Indy 500 in 1973 was Kenyon’s last. “Once in a while you’d rub, but it was purely a racing incident.
“Mel has always done a super job.”
A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford and current NASCAR star Ryan Newman are among those who also drove for the Kenyons early in their careers.
Wease knows he’s not in their company, but he beamed when somebody mentioned that his name is now linked with both Kenyon and Stewart, who swept the Fort Wayne races in 2006. Stewart has won seven times at the 1/6-mile track but elected to race in Australia over the holidays.
“I wanted to tie that,” he said. “Hopefully, one day I can break his record for Rumble wins. This was just a perfect weekend for us. I can’t say more than that.”
Wease inherited the top spot when race-long leader Adam Wilsdon – a 14-year-old in his first weekend in a national midget – struck a tire marker on lap 45 while trying to lap Brandon Knupp. Wease held off Darland over the remaining 16 laps, with David Gough, Joe Liguori and Jon Stanbrough completing the top five.
“I didn’t know how close the guys behind me were,” said a chagrined Wilsdon, who could have taken his time.
Darland kept the pressure on, once tapping Wease in turn four, until a red flag waved on lap 55 to untangle the wrecked cars of Knupp and Mike Fedorcak. But Wease pulled away on the restart to win by 2½ car-lengths.
Darland drove despite injuring his right thumb early in the day when he ran into the back of a push truck that abruptly stopped for a stalled car. The hand swollen, he still participated in an hour-long autograph session, deciding he could wait for X-rays. To drive, he had to remove the wrapping from his hand because his glove wouldn’t fit over it.
“We fell off (at the end),” Darland said. “Every restart, it took me at least three laps for the tires to come in. It was just bad timing on the red there at the end.”
The midget feature highlighted a full day of racing that included Ryan Smith’s victory over John Ivy in winged outlaw modified midgets and Brandon Dunn’s sweep of the senior heavy and senior medium kart classes, capping a 4-for-4 weekend.
Cole Williams repeated in MiniCup stock cars, while Chad Orth, Preston Oberle, John Hawley, Charlie Schultz and Nic Sheppard also bagged kart victories.
Caleb Wilkerson won in Jr. Sprints. Travis Ford, Austin Nemire, Jonathon Lesiecki, Ross Rankine and Danny Leaper earned trophies in JEGS quarter midgets.

High School Sports Calendar

Wednesday, Dec. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Heritage at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Bi-County Tournament at Southern Wells, 9 a.m.
GIRLS JV BASKETBALL: Bluffton, Southern Wells at Bi-County Tournament at Adams Central, 9 a.m.; Norwell Tournament, 9 a.m.
GIRLS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Columbia City Tournament, 9 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29
BOYS BASKETBALL: Norwell at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman game, 5 p.m.)

Wednesday, Dec. 30
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at DeKalb 4-way Tourney, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Adams Central, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

Norwell at Wayne Basketball

Managing Editor Glen Werling watched Norwell defeat Wayne, 79-62 at Tuesday's basketball match-up. Exciting game! And Werling has the video to prove it.

The Wabash River is the longest unobstructed river east of the Mississippi. It supposedly free-flows for 412 miles from the Huntington Dam to the Ohio River. See the attached pictures of an old dam in Huntington. I think the books need re-written to cut about two miles off the official number.

(Photo courtesy Scott Elzey)

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 22
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Eastbrook (rescheduled from Nov. 25), 6 p.m.; Norwell at FW Wayne, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 23
WRESTLING: Bluffton, Norwell, Southern Wells at East Central Indiana Classic Tournament at Jay County, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Heritage at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Bi-County Tournament at Southern Wells, 9 a.m.
GIRLS JV BASKETBALL: Bluffton, Southern Wells at Bi-County Tournament at Adams Central, 9 a.m.; Norwell Tournament, 9 a.m.
GIRLS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Columbia City Tournament, 9 a.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 29
BOYS BASKETBALL: Norwell at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman game, 5 p.m.)

Wednesday, Dec. 30
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at DeKalb 4-way Tourney, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Adams Central, 10 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 2
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Huntington North Invitational, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Norwell vs. Wawasee at Plymouth Shootout, 11:30 a.m.; Norwell vs. Plymouth at Plymouth Shootout, 7:45 p.m.
BOYS JV BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.
BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL: Raider Holiday Invitational, 10 a.m.; Consolation, 5 p.m.; Championship, 6:30 p.m.
Bluffton at Winchester, 6 p.m.

Enjoy the gift of nature at Salamonie Reservoir

Indiana DNR Release:

Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors during winter this holiday season at Salamonie Reservoir. Hike a trail, watch wildlife and swing by the nature center, which will be open throughout the holiday season, including Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week

The holidays are a wonderful time to bring out-of-town guests to Salamonie to experience the natural world around the reservoir.

For those who have not completed their holiday shopping, 2010 annual entrance passes, DNR lake permits, and annual horse tags are all available at the nature center. Salamonie souvenirs, shirts, field guides, hiking sticks, nature toys, jewelry, home decor and more, are also in stock.

The nature center features exhibits, a wildlife viewing area, and a knowledgeable staff to answer questions. The center is located in Lost Bridge West Recreation Area on Indiana 105 in western Huntington County.

There is a park entrance fee of $4 for Indiana vehicles, $7 for out-of-state vehicles.

Norwell Boys Basketball wrapped gifts for kids

The Norwell Boys Basketball team helped wrap Karing for Kids Christmas gifts this past Saturday. Numerous pictures were taken as they wrapped the gifts at Markle Church of Christ. Many of the pictures were taken with the O'Reilly family who has overseen the annual Karing for Kids Christmas Angel Tree Project since 2004, the year their daughter Jennifer O'Reilly was killed in an automobile accident.
The O’Reillys participated in their first Karing for Kids Angel Tree Project the Christmas before. Since 2004, the O’Reilly family has headed the project as a labor of love in Jennifer’s memory.
Rhonda said her daughter was only 16, a sophomore at Norwell High School, when the accident occurred. She said the family’s love for Jennifer is their motivation to help as many children and families as they can. “Sharing the love of Jesus is our purpose,” she said. “We hope that by being able to provide families in need with Christmas gifts, school supplies, and clothing (through Jennifer’s Closet), they will know the love Jesus has for all people.”
The Christmas Angel Tree Project, which started with the distribution of 10 gifts to eight children in 2003, has mushroomed beyond the dream of anyone involved with the project at that time.
The project spread throughout Wells County from 2003 to 2007. During those years, Mrs. O’Reilly said each child received 10 gifts. When children in Huntington County were added in 2008, the number of gifts per child dropped to eight to meet the demand. Each child receives two sets of jeans and shirts, pajamas, socks and underwear, a winter coat, tennis shoes, and two toys or “fun” items, depending on the age of the child.
Mrs. O’Reilly reports that approximately 225 volunteers wrapped gifts this past Friday and 100 showed up on Saturday. “We had approximately 100 volunteers throughout the week help sort and check in gifts,” she said. She said the approximate 100 people who helped deliver the gifts on Sunday were accompanied by 29 Santas.
Mrs. O’Reilly said she and husband Tim organized the project by themselves until a few years ago. “In 2007, as numbers continued to grow, we decided it was time to form a committee, and now there are 22 people on our team. In 2009 we became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This allows us to apply for grants, and all donations are tax deductable. We operate completely through donations.”
The Karing for Kids committee also conducts a school supply project, a place called Jennifer’s Closet, where families can come and select good children’s clothing that has been donated. Mrs. O’Reilly said a place bigger than the one being used on the family property is needed. Funds are being raised either to purchase land to construct a building for storage and events and to house Jennifer’s Closet or to purchase a building in downtown Markle to renovate for those purposes.
More information about these projects can be found on the “Karing for Kids” website: www.karingforkids.us.

Angel Tree Stats
2003 - 8 children
2004 - 80 children
2005 – 176 children
2006 – 168 children
2007 – 276 children
2008 – 468 children
2009 – 652 children (5,216 gifts)

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, Dec. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Frankton at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 22
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Eastbrook (rescheduled from Nov. 25), 6 p.m.; Norwell at FW Wayne, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 23
WRESTLING: Bluffton, Norwell, Southern Wells at East Central Indiana Classic Tournament at Jay County, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Heritage at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Raiders trophy presentation

During intermission of the junior varsity and varsity boys' basketball games at Southern Wells between the Raiders and visiting Bluffton Tigers, the Raiders 11-3 football team was recognized for its season accomplishments.

The Raiders won Class A sectional and regional title for the second straight year and went to semi-state before losing to state champions Lafayette Central Catholic.

The team presented the trophy to Southern Wells Principal Chad Yencer.

ACAC Draw

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler went to the Allen County Athletic Conference girls' and boys' basketball tournament draw luncheon Thursday noon at Decatur's Back Forty Restaurant.

He returned with a couple cool videos showing part of the draw for the brackets of the 87th boys' and 36th girls' annual tournament.

In video No. 1, Bluffton boys' coach Kevin Leising and Tigers' girls' coach Vicki VanMatre made their selection for the draw.

The Tigers drew the fourth spot and found out later that they would be hosting the Heritage Patriots on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010 at the Tiger Den.

In the second video, Southern Wells girls' coach John Fouts and boys' coach Ryan Thomas drew the 8th spot and later found out that the Raiders would be hosting the Garrett Railroaders at the Raiderdome on Tuesday, Jan. 12.

The girls' games start at 6 p.m., followed by the boys' games at 7:30 p.m.

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, Dec. 17
SWIMMING: Columbia City at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at South Adams, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Leo Quad, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Woodlan 4-way, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; DeKalb at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19
JV WRESTLING: Southern Wells at North Miami Invitational, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at New Haven 6-way, 10 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, noon; Southern Wells at Leo, noon; Norwell at DeKalb, 6:15 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Special night for Raider gridders
The Southern Wells 11-3 sectional and regional championship football team will be recognized Friday night at the boys’ basketball games against Bluffton. The team will be honored between the junior varsity and varsity games.

Norwell freshmen defeat Harding
Josh VanMeter and Evan Brown led the Norwell Knights’ freshman boys’ basketball team to a 48-41 victory over the Harding Hawks on Wednesday night at Fort Wayne.
VanMeter scored 16 points and Brown 15, while Cale Schumm added six and Austin Dettmer five. Jacob Meyer, Joe Rasdorf and Briar Bolinger rounded out the Knights’ scoring with two points apiece.

SW jayvee girls cage Lions
Kayona Benefiel and Kaylie McCammon helped the Southern Wells Raiders’ junior varsity girls’ basketball team defeat the Marion Lakeview Christian Lions 30-25 on Tuesday night at Marion.
Benefiel had eight points and McCammon seven. Josie Rhodes added six, Tylar Sanford five, Brittney Morton two and Samantha Rhodes two. Lakeview Christian was led by Emily Blinn with 10.

Crusader boys rout Adams Central
The Norwell Middle School boys’ basketball teams swept two games against Adams Central Tuesday at Monroe. The 8th-grade Crusaders won 60-48, while the 7th-graders won 44-15.
David Vogel was 8 of 9 from the field for 23 points to lead the 8th-grade Crusaders. Jonah Patten added 14 points, Cal Clouser eight, Brent Bales seven, Drew Shively seven and Logan Dettmer one.
Brandon Burch made a trio of three-pointers to help account for his 11 points for the Norwell 7th-graders. Adam Nahrwold, Reggie Hayes and Joseph Friend each had six, Andrew Oakes four, Piercen Harnish four, Alex Hunter three, Garrett Mohler two and Nathan Allison two.

Ball State to Induct Five into Athletics Hall of Fame

Joe Hernandez, Ball State University, Associate Athletics Director:

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State University will induct five former student-athletes into its Athletics Hall of Fame the weekend of Feb. 5-6.

The 2009-10 induction class is Larry Bigbie (Baseball 1996-99), Jamie Broce (Men’s Golf 1994-98), LaTasha Jenkins (Women’s Track and Field 1995-99), Sally Northcroft (Field Hockey 1996-2000) and Mindy Stanley (Women’s Volleyball 1993-97).

The induction dinner, which is combined with the Cardinal Varsity Club’s Major Donor Dinner, will be Friday, Feb. 5, while the inductees will also be introduced at the Ball State men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader Saturday, Feb. 6. For additional information on the induction banquet or to purchase tickets, call the CVC Office at 765.285.4190.

Bigbie was drafted by the Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles with the 21st selection in the first round of the 1999 MLB Draft. He was named to All-America second teams in 1999 by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the Louisville Slugger NCAA Division 1 All-America committee. Bigbie was named the 1999 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year after completing his career with a Ball State school record .386 batting average. A 1998 and 1999 All-MAC First-Team selection, Bigbie was one of just four juniors in conference history to accumulate at least 200 hits. His school record 24-game hitting streak in 1999 was the third longest in MAC history and helped the Cardinals to their first MAC baseball title and a school record 42 victories.

Broce capped off his Ball State career by being named the 1998 Ben Hogan Award winner, which goes to the nation’s top men’s golf scholar-athlete. Broce managed a 3.71 cumulative grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale as a finance major plus was named the MAC’s 1999 Golfer of the Year. A two-time All-MAC First-Team selection, Broce competed in the NCAA Championships as a senior. Broce placed third at the NCAA Central Regional as a senior to advance to the national championships. He set the Ball State career record for low average, which still stands, with a 73.57.

Jenkins won the 1999 NCAA National Championship in the 200-meter dash after posting a time of 22.29 seconds -- the fourth fastest 200 time ever by a collegiate student-athlete in track and field history. She won four straight MAC titles in the 200 in her career, and finished runner up in the event at the 1998 NCAA National Championships. A four-time All-American in the 200, Jenkins was only the second female student-athlete in MAC history to win a single event four straight times. After completing her collegiate career, Jenkins was the silver medalist at the 2001 World Indoor in the 200 and won the 2001 U.S. Indoor 200 Championship. She also placed second at the 1999 and 2001 U.S. Outdoor Championships in the 200. Jenkins was the leadoff runner for the 4 X 200 U.S. Relay Team at the USA vs. The World event at the 2000 Penn Relays, and helped the U.S. Team set a world record with a time of 1:27.46.

Northcroft capped off a brilliant Ball State field hockey career by being named the 1999-2000 Honda Award winner for field hockey and the 2000 NCAA Indiana Woman of the Year. The Honda Award recognizes the top collegiate female student-athlete in their respective sport. Northcroft was also the 1999-2000 Academic All-American Team Member of the Year and received an NCAA Today’s Top VIII Award, which honors the top eight collegiate student-athletes in the nation. In addition to maintaining a 3.58 grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale, Northcroft led the nation in goals scored as a senior with an NCAA Division I record 52. She also led the country as a senior in total points with 107 and scoring average at 5.09 per game. Northcroft helped the Cardinals to a 16th straight MAC Championship and a final national ranking of 16th in her final season. A 1998 and 1999 NCAA All-America First-Team choice, Northcroft was a two-time MAC Player of the Year and four time All-MAC First-Team selection.

Stanley’s senior season was highlighted by selection as the female recipient of the 1996 Woody Hayes National Scholar-Athlete Award from all NCAA divisions. Stanley helped the Cardinals to three MAC Championships, three MAC Tournament Championships and three NCAA berths during her four year career. A two-time All-MAC First-Team choice, Stanley helped the Cardinals to a 94-32 record during her career. A 1996 Academic All-America Third Team selection, she maintained a 3.945 grade-point average on Ball State’s 4.0 scale as an actuarial science major. Stanley completed her career as the only player in school history to put her name on each of the Ball State 21 career top-20 lists.

High School Sports Calendar

Wednesday, Dec. 16
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Harding, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17
SWIMMING: Columbia City at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at South Adams, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Leo Quad, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Woodlan 4-way, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; DeKalb at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19
JV WRESTLING: Southern Wells at North Miami Invitational, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at New Haven 6-way, 10 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, noon; Southern Wells at Leo, noon; Norwell at DeKalb, 6:15 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6 p.m.

TIP adds $2,500 to whooping crane reward fund

Indiana DNR Release:

Indiana’s Turn In A Poacher or Polluter program has added $2,500 to the reward fund for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who shot and killed a whooping crane in Vermillion County.

The TIP donation for the whooping crane investigation helped boost the total reward to $7,500. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Defenders of Wildlife, a national non-profit organization, also donated $2,500 each.

“The Indiana TIP program hopes that the increased reward amount will encourage some good citizen to come forward with information that will lead to the arrest of the person who did this,” said Phil Seng, a member of the TIP Citizen’s Advisory Board. “People who break hunting and fishing laws are not hunters or anglers. They are thieves who steal from all of us.”

TIP is a joint effort between the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, sportsmen and sportswomen of Indiana, and concerned citizens. Through this program, any citizen can anonymously report violations of fishing, hunting and environmental laws, and can be eligible for cash rewards. All of the money contributed to rewards comes from private donations.

Wildlife law enforcement agents with the Indiana DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating the shooting of the crane, which happened sometime between Nov. 28, when the crane was observed by an International Crane Foundation staff member, and Dec. 1, when an ICF volunteer found the carcass along Vermillion County Road W 310 North, just west of CR N 225 West.

The crane was identified by a leg band, and determined to be the 7-year-old mother of “Wild-1,” the only whooping crane chick successfully hatched and migrated from captivity. The crane and its mate were among 19 whooping cranes migrating from their summer grounds in Wisconsin to their wintering grounds in Florida.

Whooping cranes are protected by the Endangered Species Act, the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and state laws. There are approximately 500 whooping cranes left in the world.

Anyone with information should call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources 24-hour hotline at 1-800-TIP-IDNR (800-847-4367) or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at 317-346-7016. Callers can remain anonymous.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Dec. 15
SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS JV BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Marion Lakeview Christian, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Southwood at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 16
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Harding, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17
SWIMMING: Columbia City at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at South Adams, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Leo Quad, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Woodlan 4-way, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; DeKalb at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

USF women come up short
FORT WAYNE — In a battle of NAIA Division II Top 25 women’s basketball teams, the No. 10 Cedarville Yellow Jackets held off the No. 24 University of Saint Francis Cougars for a 79-76 victory in non-conference action.
Cedarville (8-2), led by four players in double figures, built a big first-half lead before edging the Cougars (5-5).
Southern Wells 2009 graduate Meghan Prible netted nine points and grabbed three rebounds as one of the Cougars’ starting guards. Prible was 3 of 9 from the field, including 2 of 3 from three-point range, and was 1 of 1 at the free-throw line.

Bluffton freshmen boys win thriller
Matthew Sturgeon scored 14 points and Chandler Prible 12 to lead the Bluffton Tigers’ freshman boys’ basketball team to a 35-34 victory over the Eastbrook Panthers at the Tiger Den Monday night.
Trey Mettler added five points and Dalton Cunningham rounded out Bluffton’s scoring with four.

Crusader girls sweep Indian Springs
Indian Springs’ middle school girls’ basketball teams fell to the Norwell Crusaders Monday at Norwell. The 8th-grade Crusaders won 35-24 and the 7th-graders won 32-16.
Laken Chaney led the 8th-grade Crusaders with 15 points. Kelsey Beer followed with eight, Olivia Geiger six, Alecia Coleman two, Brittany Barger two and Kylee Byerly two.
The leading scorers for the 7th-grade Crusaders were Liara Isnogle with 10, Hanna Smith nine and Erika Thornton five.

NMS boys split with Indian Springs
At Columbia City, the Norwell Middle School boys’ basketball teams split a pair of games against Indian Springs. The 8th-grade Crusaders beat the Eagles 44-35, while Indian Springs took the 7th-grade contest 44-35.
Brent Bales led the 8th-grade Crusaders with 15 points and Drew Shively had 11. Cal Clouser and David Vogel each had five points. Jonah Patten and Jordan Dickey each had three. Graham Stoppenhagen added two.
The 7th-grade Crusaders were led by Piercen Harnish with 14. Adam Nahrwold netted seven. Brandon Burch, Joseph Friend and Alex Hunter each had three. Anthony Richard and Reggie Hayes both had two and Andrew Oakes one.

Bluffton MS boys down Heritage
The Bluffton Middle School boys’ basketball teams took two games from Heritage in Allen County Athletic Conference action Monday at Monroeville. The 7th-grade Tigers won 36-32 and the 8th-graders raced to a 60-33 victory.
Kohl Buskirk led the 7th-grade Tigers with 10 points. Kevin Moser and Noah Antrim each added seven, Ethan Kitt six, Collin Mechling four and Jacob Wenger two.
Jeremy Johnson scored 13 points and Kaben Kinsey and Josh Streveler each tossed in 12 to power the 8th-grade Tigers. Other scorers were Darren Gillum with five, Austin Brigner four, Malcolm Marshall three, Danny Geimer two and Ray Gobernatz two.

Bluffton MS girls split with Heritage
The Bluffton Tigers’ 7th-grade girls’ basketball team rolled over Heritage 39-18 in Allen County Athletic Conference action Monday night at Bluffton. However, the 8th-grade Patriots nipped the Tigers 28-26.
Erin McKinley scored 14 points to lead the 7th-grade Tigers (8-1, 4-0 ACAC). Emma Thompson followed with six, Morgan Corle five, Catie Neuenschwander four, Hannah Vandentop four, Lauren Stauffer two, Lauren Brinneman, two and Kennedy Johnson two.
Laura Stroud netted 14 points for the 8th-grade Tigers (2-7, 1-3 ACAC). Taeler Meadows added eight. Sierra Steffen and Hanna Mock completed the scoring each with two.

Raider Jr. High girls split ACAC games
The Southern Wells Junior High School girls’ basketball teams split their Allen County Athletic Conference games with Woodlan on Monday.
The 7th-grade Raiders won 25-10, while the 8th-graders lost 38-24.
Lela Knowles led the 7th-graders with seven points. Meghan Yencer contributed five, Kiara Leas four, Megan Lefebvre three, Timber Tucker two, Molly Stoffel two, Jordyn Sills one and Brooke Penrod one.
Hilary Paxson topped the 8th-graders with eight. Ashton Prible added six, Olivia Mossburg four, Carissa Carter four and Breanna Hinshaw two.

7th-grade Raider girls win tourney
The Southern Wells 7th-grade girls’ basketball team defeated Alexandria 31-21 Saturday to win the McCulloch Tournament.
In the championship game, Savannah Dekyne led the Raiders with 14 points. Kiara Leas added seven, Lela Knowles six, Brooke Penrod two and Megan Lefebvre two.
In the first round, the 7th-graders beat Tipton 33-20. Dekyne had seven, Penrod six, Knowles six, Emily Junk four, Leas four, Meghan Yencer two, Jordyn Sills two and Molly Stoffel two.
The 8th-grade Raiders placed third, winning the consolation game 51-19 over McCulloch. Carissa Carter finished with 22 points and Olivia Mossburg added 14. Ashton Prible chipped in seven, Megan Thompson six and Hilary Paxson two.
In the first round, Tipton topped the 8th-graders 34-18. Prible and Mossburg each had five, Carter three, Katelyn Kline three and Thompson two.

Norwell baseball clinic slated
A Norwell Holiday Baseball Clinic will be held for boys in grades 5-8 on Dec. 28-30 in the auxiliary gym. Cost is $30 for each camper and a $5 discount for more than one child in a family. A camp T-shirt is included. The session on Dec. 28 is from 2:30-4:15 p.m., while the sessions on Dec. 29-30 are from 9-11:45 a.m. Entry deadline is Dec. 22. For more information or camp registration forms, call coach Kelby Weybright at 260-543-2213, ext. 7124, or 260-273-2396 or e-mail at kelby.weybright@nwcs.k12.in.us

Softball camp at Norwell
Girls in grades 3-8, who live in the Northern Wells School District, may register to participate in the third Norwell Softball Christmas Vacation Camp on Dec. 29-31. The camp will be held in the auxiliary gym. Cost is $30, with a $5 discount for siblings. Registration forms are available in the Norwell High School Athletic Office or Middle School office. Deadline is Dec. 18. To receive more information, e-mail Scott Hanni at scott.hanni@nwcs.k12.in.us

DNR gift ideas for who don't need more stuff

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana DNR has gift solutions for the person on your gift list who's more concerned about the state's outdoors than acquiring more stuff. Convenient contributions in that person's name can be made to support a number of outdoor causes.

Help schools fund field trips for children to Indiana state parks and reservoirs by donating to the Discovering the Outdoors Fund, administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation at http://www.IN.gov/ai/appfiles/inrf-donations/ and including "Discovering the Outdoors Fund" in the "In Honor Of/Memory Of" line.

Support the care of birds of prey used in educational programming at Patoka Lake, including fund-raising for support for a new permanently injured bald eagle to replace C52, which died this fall. Donate online at http://www.IN.gov/ai/appfiles/inrf-donations/ and place "C52" in the "In Honor of/Memory of" line, or call (812) 685-2447 for more information.

Support a person's favorite state park or reservoir with a financial gift in their honor by contacting Ginger Murphy, assistant director for stewardship in the Division of State Parks and Reservoirs, at (317) 232-4143, gmurphy@dnr.IN.gov, or writing to: State Parks and Reservoirs, 402 W. Washington St., Room W298, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

Give a Friends Group membership to McCormick’s Creek, Spring Mill, Lincoln, Falls of the Ohio, Indiana Dunes, Mounds, Turkey Run/Shades or Brown County state parks, or to Hardy Lake, Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA) or the Upper Wabash Reservoirs by contacting Murphy at the phone number or address above.

Support the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Rehabilitation Center at Hardy Lake, where injured hawks and owls receive care and are released. Permanently injured birds are used in programming for schools and families. Contact Leslie Grow at (812) 794-3800.

Support land acquisition and a variety of other projects throughout the DNR by contributing to Indiana Heritage Trust. For more information, contact (317) 233-1002, nheinzelman@dnr.IN.gov, or write to: The Indiana Heritage Trust, 402 W. Washington, W256, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Make sure to give your child or grandchild the gift of a time for a winter hike, a hunting trip or a nature center visit at a state park, reservoir or state forest trail in January.

Written acknowledgments for donations can be provided, but may not be available until after the holiday season. For up-to-date information about happenings in the DNR, visit dnr.IN.gov.

Another successful year for state park deer hunts

Indiana DNR Release:

Volunteer hunters helped the effort to restore habitat during the recent controlled hunts at 17 Indiana state parks, taking a total of 1,334 deer.

The controlled hunts took place Nov. 16-17 and Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Chain O'Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles, Whitewater Memorial, Fort Harrison, and Clifty Falls.

Versailles had the highest number of deer taken in the special hunts with 202, followed by Potato Creek (186), Charlestown (133), Tippecanoe River (119), and Harmonie (111).

DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a deer reduction each year, based on the recovery of vegetation that deer eat and previous harvest information at each park. The state parks are home to many unique natural communities and rare plants. The controlled hunts help reduce browsing by deer to a level that helps ecosystems and associated vegetation recover.

"In spite of poor weather during the first reduction and expanses of standing corn adjacent to many parks, our effort in 2009 was successful in maintaining the comfortable trend we’ve seen in recent years," said Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs. "Though hunters aren't taking as many deer as they once were, that's a good sign for the vegetation. These reductions are about managing habitat.”

Not all parks require reduction every year. Approximately one-third of the parks have achieved maintenance status since the program began and regularly take a year off from reductions.

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, Dec. 14
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells (Varsity) at Keystone, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Northfield, 6 p.m.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 15
SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS JV BASKETBA¡LL: Southern Wells at Marion Lakeview Christian, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Southwood at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 16
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Harding, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17
SWIMMING: Columbia City at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at South Adams, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Leo Quad, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Woodlan 4-way, 5:30 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; DeKalb at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19
JV WRESTLING: Southern Wells at North Miami Invitational, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Southern Wells at New Haven 6-way, 10 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Bluffton, noon; Southern Wells at Leo, noon; Norwell at DeKalb, 6:15 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Haviland, Alford lead JV Raiders
Cory Haviland and Jacob Alford led the Southern Wells Raiders Saturday at the Adams Central Junior Varsity Wrestling Invitational at Monroe.
Haviland captured top honors in the 112-pound weight class with a 4-0 record. He pinned one opponent and also scored a 14-2 major decision.
Alford was 3-1 and took second place in the 130-pound class. He had one pin and a 8-3 decision. His loss was a 7-2 decision.
Zach Green (135 pounds) and Blake Banter (145) were sixth-place finishers and each were 2-2. Green had two pins. Green suffered a pin and a 15-0 technical fall. Banter had a pin and an injury default. Banter lost by two pins.
Sam Wagner (189) placed seventh at 2-3. He had one pin and suffered three pins.
Michael McLain (140) was 1-2 and did not place.

Woodward named to
Ivanhoe All-Classic Team
UPLAND — The Taylor University men’s basketball team was defeated 65-58 by Cardinal Stritch on Saturday in the championship game of the 26th Ivanhoe Classic.
Cardinal Stritch improves to 9-2, while Taylor falls to 7-5.
Tommy Peller had 19 points to lead the Taylor Trojans. Brock Woodward, a freshman from Bluffton High School, had a game-high eight rebounds and added nine points. Both were named to the Ivanhoe All-Classic Team.

Wrestling action at Allen County Athletic Conference

Bluffton coach Brandon Razo checks over Jose Araujo for a sign of blood after his opponent, Jacob Miller, had to stop a bloody nose.


Southern Wells' Jacob Miller beat Bluffton's Jose Araujo 8-3.



Southern Wells' Cain Grogg defeated Bluffton's Daniel Mock by a technical fall.


Bluffton's Jon Raugh pinned Southern Wells' Korbin Rhamy.


Southern Wells' Darin Fiechter defeated Bluffton's Seth Higgins 5-0.


Bluffton's Bobby Perry pinned Southern Wells' Cody Watson.


Southern Wells' Ben Fiechter defeated Bluffton's Isaac Higgins 7-3.

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, Dec. 10
SWIMMING: Blackford at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Jay County at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Southern Wells, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Woodlan, 6 p.m.; Heritage at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12
BOYS SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
JV WRESTLING: Southern Wells at Adams Central Invitational, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Triple Dual (Bellmont, East Noble, DeKalb) at Norwell, 9:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Norwell at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; Northfield at Bluffton, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell softball camp coming up
Girls in grades 3-8, who live in the Northern Wells School District, may register to participate in the third Norwell Softball Christmas Vacation Camp on Dec. 29-31. The camp will be held in the auxiliary gym. Cost is $30, with a $5 discount for siblings. Registration forms are available in the Norwell High School Athletic Office or Middle School office. Deadline is Dec. 18. To receive more information, e-mail Scott Hanni at scott.hanni@nwcs.k12.in.us

Norwell baseball clinic slated
A Norwell Holiday Baseball Clinic will be held for boys in grades 5-8 on Dec. 28-30 in the auxiliary gym. Cost is $30 for each camper and a $5 discount for more than one child in a family. A camp T-shirt is included. The session on Dec. 28 is from 2:30-4:15 p.m., while the sessions on Dec. 29-30 are from 9-11:45 a.m. Entry deadline is Dec. 22. For more information or camp registration forms, call coach Kelby Weybright at 260-543-2213, ext. 7124, or 260-273-2396 or e-mail at kelby.weybright@nwcs.k12.in.us

Sign up for boys’ basketball league
Registration is open for boys in grades 5-8 for the Wells County Boys’ Basketball League from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Bluffton City Gym, 128 E. Market St. Cost is $25 for one child, $20 for second child and $15 for the third or more. Season starts Dec. 19. For more information call gym director Barry Crosbie at 260-894-5910 between 4-7 p.m. and 260-824-4399.

Youth baseball clinics available
Baseball clinics are coming up for area youth, sponsored by the Summit City Sluggers and YMCA, at the YMCA baseball annex, which is located in the former Kitco plant at 200 E. Spring St. in Bluffton.
A hitting clinic for ages 12-18 will be Dec. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $50.
A Baseball Bunch mini camp for ages 10-14 will be Dec. 22-23 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Dec. 28-30 from 10 a.m.-noon. Cost is $50 (limit of 10 players). Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Justin Parker, a graduate of Wayne High School and Wright State University, will be an instructor.
A pitching camp will be Sunday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. for ages 12-18. Cost is $50. Former Ball State and Butler University coach Jason Taulman will be the instructor.
For more information or to register call Mark De La Garza at 260-402-0789 or e-mail at delagarza0185@comcast.net

Training clinic to be offered
A clinic dealing with the fundamentals of functional training for serious athletes will be Saturday, Dec. 19, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the YMCA baseball annex at 200 E. Spring St. in Bluffton.
Dr. Heath Nagel will be the instructor. Cost is $50 and free for coaches.
For more information or to register call Mark De La Garza at 260-402-0789 or e-mail at delagarza0185@comcast.net

Nobel Prize winner to speak on urban forestry at Columbus

Indiana DNR Release:

Nobel Prize winner and Indiana University professor Dr. Elinor Ostrom will be the keynote speaker at the Indiana Urban Forest Council (IUFC) winter meeting on Feb. 10 at Donner Park in Columbus, discussing urban forests as social-ecological systems.

The meeting is sponsored by the IUFC and the Department of Natural Resources' Community and Urban Forestry program, and co-sponsored by the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.

Other speakers include Mark Dutenman, Natural Paths Urban Forestry Consultants, who will speak on urban tree selection and appraising landscape trees for value; DNR urban wildlife biologist Shannon Winks, who will focus on managing urban wildlife; Juli Gould, USDA Forest Service, APHIS, who will discuss biological control research for invasive pests like emerald ash borer; and DNR district forester, Ralph Unversaw, who will end the day with a session on outdoor winter tree identification.

The IUFC is a non-profit organization specializing in urban forestry and is open to anyone who has an interest in urban forestry or urban natural resources.

Fees for registration are $45 for members, $55 for non-members, $25 for students. Access the meeting agenda and registration form at http://www.IUFC.org or contact Ashley Mulis, IUFC director, at director@iufc.org or (317) 489-8775.

Waterfowl hunters should wear life jackets

Indiana DNR Release:


Waterfowl hunters throughout Indiana are being strongly reminded by Indiana Conservation Officers that a life jacket will not work unless it is being worn.

"Our 'Wear It' campaign to promote life jacket use is not just for the warm weather months" said Michael Crider, director of the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. "Under stressful conditions, there is just not enough time to put on a life jacket, and with the frigid water pulling every ounce of warmth from your body, it won't take long until you won't be able to swim anymore."

Crider said that there are reasonably priced inflatable life vests offered by a number of manufacturers that are comfortable and non-restricting, with most available in camouflage. Prices range from $50-$150.

Those who want a device that offers more protection from the elements, yet still acts as a life jacket need look no further than a float coat or jacket, which are available in camouflage. Prices range around $150. Float coats and inflatable vests can be purchased through your favorite sporting goods store or catalog retailer and would be a great Christmas gift for a waterfowl hunter.

Indiana law requires there be one United States Coast Guard-approved wearable lifejacket per person in any boat, and that boats more than 16 feet in length have one throwable life-saving device on board.