Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

7th-grade Tiger girls beat Bellmont
The Bluffton 7th-grade girls’ basketball team defeated Bellmont 34-14 on Thursday night at Bluffton. Bellmont won the 8th-grade contest 35-22.
Emma Thompson scored 15 points to lead the Bluffton 7th-graders (12-4). Erin McKinley added eight points, Morgan Corle four, Lauren Stauffer two, Lauren Brinneman two, Mackenzie Park two and Kennedy Johnson one.
The 8th-grade Tigers (3-13) were led by Taeler Meadows and Sierra Steffen with eight points apiece. Laura Stroud, Cassidy McKinney and Kayla Holland each added two points.

Norwell girls sweep Bluffton cagers
The Norwell Middle School girls’ basketball teams defeated Bluffton on Wednesday night at Norwell. The 8th-grade Crusaders won 44-9 and the 7th-graders won 21-13.
Kendal Beckstein led the 8th-grade Crusaders with 12 points. Laken Chaney added eight, Olivia Geiger seven, Kelsey Beer six, Caitlin Link four, Alicia Coleman three, Britany Barger two and Kylee Byerly two.
The 8th-grade Tigers (3-12) were led by Taeler Meadows with four points. Laura Stroud added three and Kayelynn Baublet two.
Liara Isnogle scored eight points and had four steals to lead the Norwell 7th-graders. Hanna Smith added seven points and two steals. Arianna Cruz and Halie McMillan each had two points, Erika Thornton one and Sarah Bauermeister one.
Erin McKinley led the Bluffton 7th-graders (11-4) with nine points. Morgan Corle had four, Catie Neuenschwander two and Lauren Stauffer two.

Solomon rolls first 300 of season
Josh Solomon bowled a 300 perfect game on Jan. 11 at The Bowling Center in Bluffton. Competing in the Monday Morning Mixed League, Solomon accomplished the feat in his first game and followed that with games of 257 and 204 for a 761 series. Over the last three weeks, Solomon has recorded series of 786, 761 and 777 for a nine-game average of 258.

Bluffton MS needs coaches
The Bluffton Athletic Department is seeking candidates and taking applications for middle school track coaching positions. Interested applicants, who are qualified, should contact Steve Thompson, athletic director, at sthompson@bhmsd.k12.us or 824-3724 as soon as possible.

Tryouts slated for baseball team
Tryouts for an 11-year-old age group baseball travel team will be held Saturday, Jan. 30, from 2-4 p.m. at Bellmont High School in Decatur. Boys must not reach their 12th birthday prior to May 1. The team is affiliated with the Summit City Sluggers. For more information, call Joel Boucher at 260-758-2985, Ken Betterly 260-359-0748 or Brian Chronister 260-728-4423.

Marathon legend Bill Rodgers to speak
Marathon runner Bill Rodgers will be the guest speaker at the Fort Wayne Track Club’s annual banquet on Sunday, Jan. 31, at the Marriott Hotel in Fort Wayne.
“Boston Billy” was one of the main driving forces behind the running boom in the 1970s and was a four-time winner of both the Boston and New York marathons.
The public is invited to the dinner. There is a fee for the event with a discount for members. For more information, go to fwtc.org. Registration deadline is Jan. 27.