Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Dan Houlihan within reach
of Seniors Open Amateur leader
Well-known Bluffton High School graduate Dr. Daniel Houlihan was just five strokes behind the leader of the Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Walton Heath in England.
The 1970 graduate, who lives in Rockford, Ill., was tied with seven other golfers at even-par 72 after Wednesday’s opening round.
American Danny Yates was the leader after a five-under-par 67. He is two shots in front of England’s Douglas Cameron, and three ahead of former Walker Cup Captain Garth McGimpsey and two-time winner Paul Simson of the USA.

Crusader football practice to begin
Norwell Middle School football practice begins Monday, Aug. 16. Practice will take place from 3-5 p.m. Players should meet at the boys’ locker room at 2:30. Players are encouraged to bring water jugs. All players must have a physical exam form on file in order to practice.

Bluffton seeking adult workers
The Bluffton Athletic Department is seeking adult workers for the upcoming fall sports season. Paid positions would include: volleyball line judges, scoreboard operators and ticket sellers. Please respond to Steve Thompson, sthompson@bhsmd.k12.in.us or call the high school at 824-3724.

MAC extends tournament contract
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Mid-American Conference extended its contract to hold its basketball tournaments at Quicken Loans Arena for another six years.
The men’s and women’s tourneys will be at the Q at least through 2017. The MAC has held its conference tournaments in Cleveland since 2000. The previous contract was set to expire following the 2011 tournament.
Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the MAC is pleased to be staying in Cleveland.
The tournament is scheduled from March 9-12.
Ohio won last season’s MAC tourney title and Bowling Green won the women’s as both schools earned automatic bids to the NCAA tournament.