Sports and Outdoors

Friday, October 29, 2010

Bluffton & Southern Wells Face 2nd Round Sectionals







Southern Wells plays Churubusco tonight at home, and Bluffton plays Madison Grant at Madison Grant both at 7.
Photos By: Intern Marci Mettler

Thursday, October 28, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Oct. 29
FOOTBALL: IHSAA 2A Sectional 27, Bluffton (4-6) at Madison-Grant (8-2), 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Sectional 35, Churubusco (9-1) at Southern Wells (8-2), 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

7th-grade Crusaders beat Woodside
The Norwell 7th-grade football team rolled over Woodside 41-13 Tuesday night at Fort Wayne.
Brody Myers scored the first two touchdowns for the Crusaders (7-2) with runs of 44 and 33 yards. Hunter Ingle kicked two extra-point attempts to make the score 14-6.
Zach Kintz scored on a nine-yard run before halftime to up the Crusaders’ lead to a 20-6.
In the final quarter, Ingle ran 36 yards for a touchdown and tossed an extra-point pass to Myers. Carson Gerber followed with a 14-yard TD run and Ingle added the PAT. With 15 seconds left, Jaron Stoppenhagen ran 62 yards for the final touchdown.
Alex Archambualt, Austin Bishop, Trevor Eichler, Isaac Hinshaw, Bradley Kelley, Carson Lockwood, James Austin Harris, Jacob Meekin, Drew Pietosi, Chad Randen, Chandler Schoeff and Bailey Wright led the Crusaders’ defense.

8th-grade Crusaders fall to Woodside
The Norwell 8th-grade football team lost 16-6 to Woodside Tuesday night at Fort Wayne.
The Crusaders tied Woodside, both 6-3, for third place in the 10-team Northeast Hoosier Middle Level Conference.
Piercen Harnish scored the only Norwell touchdown with a 46-yard run in the third quarter.
The Crusaders drove to the Warrior eight-yard line in the fourth quarter but could not score. Reggie Hayes converted nine passes to help spark the Norwell attack. Anthony Richard and Adam Nahrwold caught big passes.
Jace Geiger had four tackles for loss and Andrew Oakes recovered two Woodside fumbles. Ashton McCune, Brandon Norman, Jeremy Davis, Nahrwold, Harnish and Richard also contributed on defense.

River Runners to host races
Ouabache River Runners will host their third W.O.O.F. 15-mile and 5-mile trail races at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Ouabache State Park. Registration is available online at teamorr.org. Registration forms are available at FPC and Hot Cakes. For more information contact Mike McAvoy at macmcavoy@gmail.com.

NCAA student-athletes doing better
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Student-athletes are earning degrees at record rates, graduate at higher rates than other students, and football players and black men’s basketball players are making big gains in the classroom, according to the NCAA’s annual Graduation Success Rate figures.
The report shows 79 percent of all Division I athletes entering school between 2000-01 and 2003-04 earned a degree within six years. That matches last year’s record number.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

BHS Athletic Awards


Athletic Director Steve Thompson opens up the ceremony.

Players of the tennis team.

Boys' cross country team.

Girls' volleyball team players.

Girls' cross country runners.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Oct. 29
FOOTBALL: IHSAA 2A Sectional 27, Bluffton (4-6) at Madison-Grant (8-2), 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Sectional 35, Churubusco (9-1) at Southern Wells (8-2), 7 p.m.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Oct. 29
FOOTBALL: IHSAA 2A Sectional 27, Bluffton (4-6) at Madison-Grant (8-2), 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Sectional 35, Churubusco (9-1) at Southern Wells (8-2), 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

River Runners to host races
Ouabache River Runners will host their third W.O.O.F. 15-mile and 5-mile trail races at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Ouabache State Park. Registration is available online at teamorr.org. Registration forms are available at FPC and Hot Cakes. For more information contact Mike McAvoy at macmcavoy@gmail.com.

Monday, October 25, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Oct. 29
FOOTBALL: IHSAA 2A Sectional 27, Bluffton (4-6) at Madison-Grant (8-2), 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Sectional 35, Churubusco (9-1) at Southern Wells (8-2), 7 p.m. (NOTE: Times may be changed).

Several state parks to limit public access during goose reductions

Indiana DNR Release:

Having attempted various non-lethal methods of managing the Canada goose populations at several state parks with limited success, the DNR will conduct controlled goose reduction hunts in the coming months. Similar reductions have occurred since 2007. The parks will have limited access to the public during the days of their respective reduction hunts.

Large amounts of goose waste at park beaches, picnic areas and in bank-fishing locations have raised health concerns, adversely affected visitor enjoyment, increased erosion, and resulted in increased operating costs.

“Though we are seeing some success, reduction hunting is still just one of many tools we use to manage geese,” said Mike Mycroft, chief of natural resources for Indiana State Parks & Reservoirs. “Challenges such as legal-season limitations, recreational demand for popular park areas, local weather, and daily movement patterns of the birds combine to complicate achieving the desired results.”

The dates are chosen to coincide with state and federal hunting seasons and to optimize effectiveness while considering local flight patterns and goose behavior. Potato Creek and Whitewater Memorial state parks will have limited public access with certain areas open only to participating hunters on hunt days. Ouabache, Chain O’Lakes, Shakamak, and Lincoln state parks will be accessible to drawn participants only.

Even though the reductions occur during the slower recreational season, Mycroft said the reduction effort may still affect some visitors.

“We keep visitation rates in mind when selecting dates,” he said. “Our goal is to get in and out, with safety and effective resource management being our top priorities.”

Reduction efforts start in early November. Each participating park will conduct reduction hunts four to 10 days between November and February. The parks will start limiting general public access the evening before each of the efforts and will be fully open the morning after each reduction.

Park
Dates
Access

Potato Creek
Nov. 8/9 & 22/23
Restricted

Ouabache
Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 17
Closed

Chain O'Lakes
Nov. 18/19 & Dec. 1/2
Closed

Whitewater Memorial
Nov. 24, 27, Dec. 1, 4, 8, 15
Restricted

Shakamak
Dec. 11/12, 18/19, Jan. 8/9, Feb. 5/6, 12/13
Closed

Lincoln
Jan. 10/11 & 24/25
Closed


An advanced drawing has selected participants who can bring up to three non-registered fellow participants along. A standby drawing for Indiana residents who are 18 and older by Nov. 8 will take place each morning of the hunts 90 minutes before local sunrise to fill spots still remaining vacant. Group sizes are limited to four individuals. All state and federal laws regarding waterfowl hunting apply. State and federal waterfowl stamps, state hunting license, and HIP number are required for any participant to be eligible. Apprentice licenses are not applicable. Questions regarding the standby drawing can be directed to the park of interest.

Wrestling exhibition at NMS















There were no "Pile Drivers" or people being hit with aluminum folding chairs at the Norwell Middle School wrestling exhibition. Just student athletes from Ossian and Lancaster Central elementary school competing for bragging rights.
News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler was there to capture the action.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Hoosiers honored for outstanding urban forestry projects

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana Urban Forest Council, Inc. (IUFC) and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Community and Urban Forestry (CUF) program presented eight annual awards for outstanding projects at the recent IUFC 20th annual fall urban forestry conference at the Fort Harrison Inn in Indianapolis.

The awards were presented by Pamela C. Louks, IDNR, CUF coordinator, and Lindsey Purcell, IUFC president.

A panel of judges, all members of the IUFC, reviewed 21 nominations received as a result of a call for nominations late last summer. Nominees were judged on local to statewide impacts of their urban forestry work.

Awards were presented in seven categories—Outstanding Business: Carmel Crooked Stick Golf Club-Fairways to Greenways project; Civic Group: Patoka 2000 (Jasper); Individual: Kevin Runion (Indiana State University); Municipality: Fortville; Projects: 100 Acres-Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park (Indianapolis Museum of Art); Tree Stars Day (Carmel); Tree Board: Bloomington Tree Commission; Indiana Community Tree Steward: Joe Stasey (Hamilton County).

The IUFC is the statewide 501C3 urban forestry not-for-profit, membership to which is open to anyone who has an interest in urban forestry/urban natural resources. For organization and membership information, go to iufc.org or call (317) 489-8775.

The IDNR, CUF program offers technical urban forestry and grant assistance to cities, towns, and not-for-profit groups. CUF may be contacted by phone at (317) 591-1170.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, Oct. 21
VOLLEYBALL: IHSAA Class A Sectional 56 at Daleville, Southern Wells vs. Liberty Christian, 6 p.m.; Class 2A Sectional 37 at Adams Central, Bluffton vs. Adams Central, 7 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 22
FOOTBALL: IHSAA 2A Sectional 27 Bluffton at Wabash, 7 p.m.; IHSAA 3A Sectional 19 Leo at Norwell, 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Sectional 35 Southern Wells at Southwood, 7 p.m.
———
Saturday, Oct. 23
CROSS COUNTRY: IHSAA Semi-State at Fort Wayne IPFW course, girls’ race at 1 p.m., boys’ race at 1:45 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: IHSAA 3A Sectional at Wayne, Peru vs. Bellmont, 11 a.m., Norwell vs. FW Wayne or Maconaquah; Championship, 7 p.m.; Other sectionals TBD.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

BHS fall awards night slated
The Bluffton fall athletic awards program will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 26, in the high school cafetorium. All athletes that participated in a fall sport are expected to be present and dressed in a professional manner. Everyone is welcome to attend.

BHS athletes may order letter jackets
Bluffton letter jackets may be ordered during home room on Wednesday, Oct. 27. A sales representative will be present for fittings. Athletes majoring in a sport may order a jacket with a down payment of $50.

Donaghy leads conference chart
Anderson University junior Allee Donaghy, a member of the women’s volleyball team, leads the Heartland Conference in digs with an average of 5.4 per game. Donaghy is a Norwell graduate.

Breakfast fundraiser at So. Wells
The Southern Wells Athletic Department will be sponsoring a breakfast fundraiser to benefit the Athletic Transportation Fund from 7-10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, in the elementary cafeteria. Donations will be accepted. Pancakes, sausage links, breakfast casserole, coffee, juice and milk will be served.

Tailgate party before Norwell game
Norwell football fans are invited to a tailgate party from 5:30-6:30 p.m. before Friday’s home sectional football game against Leo. Meat and table service will be provided. Bring a dish to share. Monetary donations are appreciated. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Purdue tickets to go on sale
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Tickets for the Boilermaker BlockBuster basketball doubleheader will be available beginning Friday.
The Purdue women and men will play on Dec. 18 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The women will play Auburn at 1:30 p.m., followed by the men facing Indiana State at 4 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. at the Conseco Fieldhouse Box Office, ConsecoFieldhouse.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets, including Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets have been on sale at the Purdue Athletic Ticket Office since August.
Ticket prices are $40 for lower level, $30 for club level, $25 for upper level and $10 for Purdue students.

Finished carp fence dubbed ‘substantial’

Indiana DNR Release:

What is nearly 1,200 feet long, 8 feet high, has dozens of 50-foot rolls of chain-link fence fastened to 123 four-inch posts by more than 1,000 wire ties, and bolstered by almost 120 concrete barriers weighing 2 ½ tons each?

An Asian carp fence.

The numbers document the dimensions of a barrier constructed at Eagle Marsh near Fort Wayne designed to block potential advancement of Asian carp toward the Great Lakes.

“Substantial,” is the word Indiana Department of Natural Resources director Robert E. Carter used to describe the fence.

Construction of the 1,177-foot main fence and a supplemental 494-foot debris catch fence began in early September and was completed on Tuesday.

The final cost of the fence project is still being determined, but indications are it will be less than the $200,000 bid estimate. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are funding the cost of the project through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

“I tip my hat to DNR staff that tackled this project and got it done in a timely and efficient manner,” Carter said. “This may not guarantee Asian carp never get into the Great Lakes someday, somehow, but with a temporary barrier this substantial, it certainly seems unlikely this will be the route.”

The DNR took a lead role in the fence project after identifying Eagle Marsh as a potential pathway for Asian carp to move from the Wabash River system into the Maumee River, a tributary to Lake Erie. Although the Wabash and Maumee basins drain in opposite directions and have no direct connection under normal conditions, their waters do comingle under certain flood conditions in Eagle Marsh, a 705-acre restored wetland near Fort Wayne.

The DNR pursued the mesh fence barrier as a short-term option while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies develop a permanent solution.

“The completion of this fence marks another milestone met in the framework we laid out to prevent invasive Asian carp from establishing themselves in the Great Lakes. The barrier at Eagle Marsh is an example of what can be done through strong state and Federal coordination,” said John Goss, former Indiana DNR director who is the Asian Carp Director at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Although placing such a large fence in the midst of a wetland restoration project creates aesthetic concerns, it was the right thing to do according to Betsy Yankowiak, executive director of the Little River Wetlands Project that manages Eagle Marsh.

“We spend so much on fighting invasive plant species and so much on volunteer time in that effort,” Yankowiak said. “We couldn’t handle it if Asian carp got through Eagle Marsh. We want to be proactive and be part of the solution, not part of the problem.”

While blocking passage of adult Asian carp is a primary goal of the fence, it also is designed to allow movement of water so as not to increase flood elevations and cause property damage.

As an added component of floodwater monitoring, the U.S. Geological Survey installed gages on the fence that will measure water levels in effort to ensure the fence does not block water flow during significant flooding events.

DNR staff supervised the fence’s construction by two Fort Wayne companies – Brooks Construction and R&C Fence.

Asian carp refers to several species of fish originating from Asia. Three species of the non-native fish – bighead, silver and black carp – were imported to the southern United States to keep aquaculture ponds clean and to provide fresh fish for markets. Some of the fish escaped into the Mississippi River system in the 1980s and 1999s after flooding and have expanded their range northward ever since.

Bighead and silver carp were first detected in Indiana in the late 1990s at Hovey Lake Fish & Wildlife Area in the southwest corner of the state. Since then, they have moved up the Wabash, East Fork and West Fork of the White River, the Patoka River, and the Ohio River and some of its tributaries in southern Indiana.

(NOTE: Photos of the fence project can be found at www.dnr.in.gov/images/eaglemarsh.jpg, www.dnr.in.gov/images/eaglemarsh10.jpg and www.dnr.in.gov/images/eaglemarsh16.jpg)

State Park fitness challenge ends Oct. 31

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana State Park and Reservoirs Fitness Challenge closes Oct. 31.

The Fitness Challenge, which started in May, is a chance to get fit and win prizes at the same time by walking, riding, paddling or swimming a total of 25 miles inside one or more of Indiana’s 24 state parks and nine reservoirs.

Participants keep track of their adventures using the form available on the stateparks.IN.gov website at the link listed below and getting the signature of a property manager, office manager, interpreter or gate attendant for each entry. All property regulations apply. Further directions and the form are at the link.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-SPR_2010_Fitness_Challenge.pdf

Submitting enters the participant in a drawing for 2011 annual passes and permits, Outdoor Indiana magazine subscriptions, Indiana DNR camping gift cards and Indiana state park inns gift certificates.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, Oct. 21
VOLLEYBALL: IHSAA Class A Sectional 56 at Daleville, Southern Wells vs. Liberty Christian, 6 p.m.; Class 2A Sectional 37 at Adams Central, Bluffton vs. Adams Central, 7 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 22
FOOTBALL: IHSAA 2A Sectional 27 Bluffton at Wabash, 7 p.m.; IHSAA 3A Sectional 19 Leo at Norwell, 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Sectional 35 Southern Wells at Southwood, 7 p.m.
———
Saturday, Oct. 23
CROSS COUNTRY: IHSAA Semi-State at Fort Wayne IPFW course, girls’ race at 1 p.m., boys’ race at 1:45 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: IHSAA 3A Sectional at Wayne, Peru vs. Bellmont, 11 a.m., Norwell vs. FW Wayne or Maconaquah; Championship, 7 p.m.; Other sectionals TBD.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Imel helps lead Western Michigan
NASHPORT, Ohio — Kaylee Imel registered the best finish of her young collegiate career, tying for fourth place with Ball State’s Brittany Kelly, to help the Western Michigan golf team capture its first ever Mid-American Conference Preview title on Tuesday.
Imel, a 2009 Norwell graduate from Bluffton, tied for fourth place with Ball State’s Brittany Kelly, after a 6-over par 78. Imel finished with a 9-over par 153 (75-78).

Moss, McCormick lead senior golfers
Jerry Moss and Herman McCormick were the individual leaders for the Senior Men’s Golf League on Tuesday morning at Green Valley Golf Course in Bluffton.
Moss recorded the low gross score of 41 and McCormick had the low net score. Bill Fuller was closest to the pin and Tom Moser made the longest putt. Jim Smith, McCormick and Moser were members of the winning team.

Bolinger, Eberle earn NHC honors
Norwell boys’ soccer team forward Briar Bolinger and goalkeeper Justin Eberle were honorable mention certificate recipients for the Northeast Hoosier Conference boys’ all-conference team.

Johnson, Heller receive NHC honors
Norwell girls’ soccer team forward Lauren Johnson and goalkeeper Haley Heller were honorable mention certificate recipients for the Northeast Hoosier Conference girls’ all-conference team.

8th-grade Crusaders post 6th win
The 8th-grade Norwell Crusaders’ football team defeated East Noble 34-8 on Tuesday night at Kendallville.
The Crusaders (6-2) lit up the scoreboard first with Reggie Hayes throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Davis. Hayes also had two pass interceptions and returned one for a 35-yard TD.
Piercen Harnish added touchdown runs of 20 and 16 yards and also threw a seven-yard TD pass to Adam Nahrwold.
Jay-Ar Kobryn, Andrew Oakes, Blake Lewis, Anthony Richard, Chandler Shady and Jake Aschliman also sparked the Crusaders’ offensive attack. Aschliman had a 27-yard kickoff return in the second half.
Kobryn and Harnish also picked off a pass. Brandon Norman recovered a fumble, while Ashton McCune, Jace Geiger, Oakes, Nahrwold and Davis made other big defensive plays.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Feds clear way for Atterbury land exchange

Indiana DNR Release:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service have released two documents that clear the way for completion of a land exchange that transfers 1,250 acres of Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area from the DNR to the Military Department of Indiana (MDI).

The documents are the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The EA/FONSI documents are available at www.in.gov/dnr/5902.htm or at www.fws.gov/midswest/News/index.cfm.

To compensate the DNR as required by the Pittman-Robertson Act and other federal laws, the DNR will receive 1,990 acres of land from the Indiana Department of Correction.

FWS and NPS have determined that the DOC replacement land near Putnamville in Putnam County has equal or better recreational value, equal or better wildlife value, and equal or better appraised value than what the DNR is releasing at Atterbury. Therefore, the FWS and NPS will approve the exchange once all compliance documents have been received.

FWS, NPS and the DNR made the draft EA available for public comment from Sept. 14-28. None of the comments received introduced new topics that need further analysis. Some supported the exchange, some opposed the exchange, but none based their opinions on regulatory concerns or factual disputes of data pertaining to the financial, recreational or conservation value analysis.

MDI will use the 1,250 acres it obtains from Atterbury FWA for barracks and office buildings. The DNR will continue to use management buildings located in that area until they are replaced with equal facilities using funding other than sport license fees and federal grants under the Pittman-Robertson Act.

The 1,990 acres in Putnam County will become Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area and open to the public for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent activities beginning Oct. 29.

Print and compact disk (CD) copies of the EA may be obtained from Abbey Kucera, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 Federal Drive, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Fort Snelling, MN, 55111, or by calling (612)713-5150, or e-mailing R3FedAid@fws.gov.

No Asian carp in eDNA tests at Indiana ports

Indiana DNR Release:

No evidence of Asian carp was found in an environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling of Indiana ports and harbors near Lake Michigan, researchers from the University of Notre Dame who did the study announced Thursday.

The researchers collected 125 samples from five areas in northwest Indiana:

–On Aug. 6, 14 samples were collected from the outflow of Lake George by kayak and by wading into lower reaches of Deep River. All tested negative for bighead and silver carp DNA.

–On Aug. 11, 25 samples were collected from Burns Harbor and 21 from Burns Ditch. All 46 samples tested negative.

–On Aug. 18, 11 samples were collected from the Gary Boat Slip and 54 samples from Indiana Harbor. All 65 samples tested negative.

Bighead and silver carp are two species of Asian carp that are considered a serious risk to the Great Lakes. Both are voracious eaters. They consume plankton – algae and other microscopic organisms – stripping the food web of a key source of food for small and big native fish.

Bighead and silver carp were imported into the southern United States to keep aquaculture facilities clean and to provide fresh fish for fish markets. They escaped into the wild in the 1980s and have been moving northward ever since.

They were first detected in Indiana waters in 1995 and have worked their way up the Wabash River, into the East and West forks of the White River, the Patoka River, and the Ohio River and and some of its tributaries.

Sea lamprey barrier to be built at Trail Creek

Indiana DNR Release:

Final preparations are underway for construction of a low-head, fixed-crest dam to block passage of sea lampreys in Trail Creek, a stream in Michigan City that supports spring spawning runs of native fish.

Sea lampreys are a pest in the Great Lakes region. They are native to the Atlantic Ocean and made their way into the Great Lakes in the early 1900s via the St. Lawrence Seaway when the Welland Canal connected Lake Ontario to the upper lakes.

Sea lampreys attach to fish with a sucking disk and sharp teeth as they feed on body fluids, often scarring and killing host fish. An adult sea lamprey can kill 40 or more pounds of fish. Sea lampreys have been a major cause of the decline in lake trout populations. Lake trout are a long-lived species that don’t reach maturity until at least age 6 and live in excess of 20 years, making them a prime host for sea lamprey.

Barriers are one of the integrated approaches used to reduce the number of sea lamprey in the Great Lakes and have reduced or eliminated the need for chemical treatment on many streams. Barriers are constructed to block the upstream migration of spawning sea lampreys while allowing other fish to pass with minimal disruption.

Historically, Trail Creek was treated with a chemical lampricide about every six years to reduce the number of young lamprey entering the lake. Placement of the barrier should eliminate the need for these treatments and reduce the number of lamprey in the lake.

The 52-inch-high, 45-feet-wide barrier will be placed in Trail Creek near Springfield Avenue. It will include a lamprey trap and a fish ladder that will allow non-jumping fish to move freely through the system.

The trapping facility will be operated from middle March until June 15. All adult sea lampreys will be collected and removed while other fish species will be passed above the barrier. A jumping pool immediately downstream will allow adult steelhead and salmon the ability to move above the barrier during their upstream spawning migrations. Fishing opportunities will be restricted within 100 feet on either side of the barrier.

The DNR is a partner in construction of the barrier along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Additional support for the project was provided by Michigan City and the local school corporation.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was formed in 1955, in part to control sea lampreys.

Additional information on sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes can be found at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission website: http://www.glfc.org/sealamp/

Governor signs Atterbury, Deer Creek deal

Indiana DNR Release:

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mitch Daniels signed official papers today that finalize a land exchange for expansion of Camp Atterbury in Johnson County and creation of the new Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area in Putnam County.

“I’m excited for what this means for the growth of Atterbury, and Deer Creek is a very beautiful piece of property,” Daniels said. “Both of these properties will be visible and add value for decades and decades.”

Daniels approved a deed that authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to transfer 1,250 acres of Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area to the Military Department of Indiana (MDI). MDI will use the land to construct barracks and administrative facilities for its Camp Atterbury training operations in Johnson County.

The remaining 5,000 acres of Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area will remain open to public use, including fishing lakes, Sugar Creek and the Sgt. Joseph E. Proctor Memorial Shooting Range.

In return for the land being transferred to MDI, the DNR will receive 1,995 acres of surplus land in Putnam County from the Department of Correction for development of Deer Creek Fish and Wildlife Area. Deer Creek will open to fishing, hunting and wildlife related activities on a limited basis beginning Oct. 29.

“The new site includes a smallmouth bass stream, two lakes, and excellent hunting, wildlife watching and wildlife habitat, and we are pleased that this area will be protected and managed by the Indiana DNR and enjoyed by Indiana’s citizens,” said Charles Wooley, deputy regional director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The land exchange required approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service because both provided federal funding for the DNR’s original acquisition of Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area in 1969.

After an environmental assessment was conducted and made available for public comment, the FWS and NPS determined no significant environmental impact would occur as a result of the land exchange and that the Putnam County land provided the DNR is of equal or better recreational, wildlife and appraised value.

(NOTE: A photo of the deed signing is available at http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/atterburysigning.jpg.)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Bluffton Volleyball

Bluffton, Senior, Natasha Patterson kills the ball over Jay County player. Tigers lost to Jay County in 3 sets.

Tigers finished regular season with a loss against Norwell Knights.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Cross Country Sectional Awards

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler visited the Boys'/Girls' Cross Country Sectional Awards Ceremony at Bellmont High School on Tuesday and came away with some great video. Check it out:







Tuesday, October 12, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Oct. 12
GIRLS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional 12 at Marion, Eastern (Greentown) vs. Blackford, 5 p.m.; Oak Hill vs. Marion, 7 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY: Bluffton, Norwell, Southern Wells at IHSAA Sectional at Bellmont, girls at 5 p.m., boys at 5:45 p.m. (approx.).
VOLLEYBALL: Jay County at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
———
Wednesday, Oct. 13
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Regional at Blackford, Yorktown vs. Norwell, 5:30 p.m., Jay County vs. Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m.
———
Thursday, Oct. 14
GIRLS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional 12 at Marion, Huntington North vs. Norwell, 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: Southern Wells at Blackford, 6 p.m.; Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 15
FOOTBALL: Bluffton at Leo, 7 p.m.; Columbia City at Norwell, 7 p.m.; South Adams at Southern Wells, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Cadets spike Knights
Concordia Lutheran defeated the Norwell Knights 3-0 Monday night in volleyball action at Fort Wayne.
The Cadets won the three games 25-11, 25-21, 27-25.
Norwell was led in hitting by senior Lauren Klansek with 12 kills. She also had two aces and one block assist. Olivia Geiger added six kills, one ace and seven digs. Jessica Louison had three kills and six digs. Laken Chaney had 19 assists and eight digs. Elizabeth Ault also had eight digs.

Furnish expected to play
Southern Wells Raiders’ junior quarterback Trevor Furnish received good news following Friday’s football game.
After a medical examination on his leg, Furnish is expected to play against South Adams on Friday night at Carnes Field. He suffered a leg injury early in the second quarter of the game against Monroe Central and did not finish playing.
The Raiders have two other injured players who will not see action Friday, according to head coach Mark Lefebvre on Monday. Seth Biberstine and Jagger Love are still under doctors’ evaluation and have not been cleared to resume action.

Landrum likely
to play Friday
Leading senior wide receiver Nick Landrum did not see action Friday night in the Bluffton Tigers’ 14-12 loss to Adams Central Friday night at Monroe.
On Monday Bluffton head coach Casey Kolkman stated that Landrum is “looking like he will be back Friday against Leo, but that is 50/50.” Kolkman added that he “should be full strength for sectional.”

Register for 5K Run/Walk
The third Forgotten Children International 5K Run and Walk is Sunday, Oct. 17 at Hope Missionary Church, 429 E. Dustman Road in Bluffton. Entry fee is $15 before Oct. 11 and $20 after that. Register online at www.ForgottenChildren.org. The 5K walk will start at 3 p.m., followed by the run at 3:30 p.m. Race-day registration begins at 2 p.m. T-shirts will be given to all participants.
The event raises awareness of 167 million orphans and vulnerable children around the world and funds to provide these children with clothes, food, shelter, education and medicine and vaccinations. For more information, call Laurie Baumgartner 824-2042.

River Runners to host races
The Ouabache River Runners will host its third W.O.O.F. 15-mile and 5-mile trail races at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6 at Ouabache State Park. Registration is available online at teamorr.org. Registration forms are available at FPC and Hot Cakes. For more information contact Mike McAvoy at macmcavoy@gmail.com.

Monday, October 11, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, Oct. 11
GIRLS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional 12 at Marion, South Adams vs. Huntington North, 5 p.m.; Jay County vs. Norwell, 7 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: Norwell at FW Concordia Lutheran, 6 p.m.; Bluffton at FW Wayne, 6 p.m.
———
Tuesday, Oct. 12
GIRLS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional 12 at Marion, Eastern (Greentown) vs. Blackford, 5 p.m.; Oak Hill vs. Marion, 7 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY: Bluffton, Norwell, Southern Wells at IHSAA Sectional at Bellmont, girls at 5 p.m., boys at 5:45 p.m. (approx.).
VOLLEYBALL: Jay County at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
———
Wednesday, Oct. 13
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Regional at Blackford, Yorktown vs. Norwell, 5:30 p.m., Jay County vs. Pendleton Heights, 7:30 p.m.
———
Thursday, Oct. 14
GIRLS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional 12 at Marion, 5 and 7 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: Southern Wells at Blackford, 6 p.m.; Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 15
FOOTBALL: Bluffton at Leo, 7 p.m.; Columbia City at Norwell, 7 p.m.; South Adams at Southern Wells, 7 p.m.
———
Saturday, Oct. 16
CROSS COUNTRY: IHSAA Regional at Marion (Indiana Wesleyan), 10:30 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Regional at Blackford, championship, 11 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional 12 at Marion, championship, 4 p.m.

Southern Wells vs. Fremont



2010 homecoming seems like such a long time ago...relive the good times at our YouTube channel!

Bluffton Vs. Southern Wells (ACAC Day)




We have even more video posted at our YouTube Channel!

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Register for 5K Run/Walk
The third Forgotten Children International 5K Run and Walk is Sunday, Oct. 17 at Hope Missionary Church, 429 E. Dustman Road in Bluffton. Entry fee is $15 before Oct. 11 and $20 after that. Register online at www.ForgottenChildren.org. The 5K walk will start at 3 p.m., followed by the run at 3:30 p.m. Race-day registration begins at 2 p.m. T-shirts will be given to all participants.
The event raises awareness of 167 million orphans and vulnerable children around the world and funds to provide these children with clothes, food, shelter, education and medicine and vaccinations. For more information, call Laurie Baumgartner 824-2042.

Elementary cross country races slated
All area elementary school children in grades 3-5 are invited to run in the Norwell Cross Country Booster Club elementary school cross country race on Friday at Norwell. There are six divisions. Registration and check-in begins at 3:30 p.m. First race starts at 5 p.m. Entry fee is $10 on race day.

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, Oct. 7
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Individual State Tournament at Delta, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional at Decatur, Bellmont vs. South Adams, 5 p.m., Heritage vs. Norwell, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER: Norwell at Heritage, 5 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: Homestead at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.; ACAC Tournament at Heritage, 6 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 8
FOOTBALL: Bluffton at Adams Central, 7 p.m.; Norwell at Homestead, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells at Monroe Central, 7:30 p.m.
———
Saturday, Oct. 9
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional at Decatur, championship, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

ACAC Cross Country


Taylor Thompson (blue) , Tanner Coratti (left) , Nick Rhodes (right)


Sam Rhodes finished first for the Southern Wells Raiders.

Josiee Rhodes

Connelly Mettler

Darcie Johnson

High School Sports Calendar

Wednesday, Oct. 6
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Team Regional at Delta, Norwell vs. Delta, 4:30 p.m.; IHSAA State Doubles Tournament at Delta, 4:30 p.m.
———
Thursday, Oct. 7
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional at Decatur, Bellmont vs. South Adams, 5 p.m., Heritage vs. Norwell, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER: Norwell at Heritage, 5 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: Homestead at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.; ACAC Tournament at Heritage, 6 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 8
FOOTBALL: Bluffton at Adams Central, 7 p.m.; Norwell at Homestead, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells at Monroe Central, 7:30 p.m.
———
Saturday, Oct. 9
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Team Semi-State, TBD.
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional at Decatur, championship, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell spikers top East Noble
The Norwell volleyball team outlasted East Noble 3-2 in the battle of Knights on Tuesday in a Northeast Hoosier Conference match.
Norwell rallied to win the five-game match 25-23, 16-25, 25-14, 18-25, 15-12.
Lauren Klansek led Norwell with 15 kills. Amanda McAfee had nine kills, Jessica Louison seven and Olivia Geiger five. Laken Chaney had 31 assists. Elizabeth Ault had four service aces. Brittany Barger, Louison and Klansek each had two aces and Geiger one. Chaney also had 14 digs and Ault 11.
Lauren Fulk had 12 kills for East Noble. Tawni Stech and Alex Timmerman each had seven. Casey Allen had six kills. Stech also had 30 assists. Rachel Fulk had 27 digs. Stech and Allen each had two aces.

Wear pink to support cancer research
The Norwell volleyball team will recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month Thursday night with a “Dig Pink” night to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. The Knights will be hosting Northeast Hoosier Conference rival Homestead. The varsity match is slated to begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Fans who wear a pink shirt will be entered into a drawing to win free Subway, Pizza Hut or Dairy Queen items. Monetary donations also will be accepted during the evening.

Garrett, AC win volleyball matches
The Bluffton volleyball team lost to Garrett 2-1 in the first round of the Allen County Athletic Conference tournament Tuesday night at Heritage High School.
Garrett advances to the semifinals. Game scores were 25-18, 24-26, 26-24.
Adams Central defeated Heritage 25-22, 25-18.

Crusader runners finish 15th
The Crusader Running Club boys’ cross country team competed at the Indiana Middle School Cross Country Championship in Indianapolis on Saturday finishing 15th out of 27 teams.
Austin Boucher finished 33rd in 10:59 to lead the Crusaders. Nathan Garver was 43rd in 11:08, Noah Steffen 112th in 11:49.2, Duke Wang 115th in 11:51.7, Cody Shively 146th in 12:15, Seth Cole 161st in 12:26 and Hunter Searle 186th in 12:51. There was a total of 227 runners in the small school varsity race.

Zimmer, Worden lead
Norwell elementary runners
Evan Zimmer and Hannah Worden were top finishers in the fifth Northern Wells Community Schools elementary cross country meet Tuesday.
Zimmer was the overall winner in the K-2 division. He finished the half-mile loop in 2:54. He was followed by Kolton Allen and Eli Riley to round out the top three in the boys’ division. The top three finishers in the girls’ K-2 division were Zoe Duffus, Hailey Gallant and Rachel Spangler.
Worden won the girls’ 3-5 division in 6:39. Ashley VandenBoom finished second in 7:00 and Kaylah Detrich was third in 7:11. In the boys’ 3-5 divison, the winner was Cole Wilson in 6:01. Garrison Brege was second in 6:03. Ian Gerber and Dylan Felger tied for third in 6:17.

7th-grade Crusaders blank Summit
The Norwell 7th-grade football team shut out Summit 22-0 on Tuesday to increase its season record to 5-1.
Brody Myers ran Norwell’s first play 34 yards for a touchdown. Hunter Ingle caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Carson Gerber. Trevor Eichler tackled a Summit ball carrier in the end zone for a safety. On the ensuing drive Myers scored on a three-yard touchdown run and Ingle added the extra-point kick.
The offensive line of Chase McGrew, Austin Miller, Colt Rinkenberger, Devin Helmke, Conner Nash and Nathan Loker opened huge holes all night for the Crusaders. Jaron Stoppenhagen, Zach Kintz, McGerran Clouser, and Bray Wilson had nice runs. Noah Tobias connected on a pass with Danny Bullock. Defensive leaders were Austin Bishop, Alex Friend, Bradley Kelley, Peyton Laley, Drew Pietosi, Chad Randen, Chandler Schoeff, Seth Serafini, Stoppenhaggen, Eichler and Ingle.

Norwell 8th-graders top Summit
The Norwell 8th-grade football team increased its season record to 5-1 with a 20-13 victory at Summit Tuesday night.
Defense was the name of the game as the Crusaders’ Andrew Oakes stripped the ball from a Summit running back and scampered 40 yards to the end zone. Piercen Harnish returned a Falcon punt 63 yards for a touchdown and intercepted a pass to halt a Summit drive.
The defense was sparked by numerous Crusaders, including Joey Wilson, Michael Barnes, Zach Wesley, Hunter Lazarek, Brandon Norman, John Dathe, Dalton Cochran, Ashton McCune, Anthony Richard, Nathaniel Mayer, Dillon Brooks, Coty Mitchell, Caleb Hartman, Reggie Hayes, and Jake Brown.
The offense scored its only touchdown on a two-yard run by Jake Aschliman. Jay-Ar Kobryn and Adam Nahrwold recorded some nice carries for positive yardage. Jeremy Davis kicked a PAT conversion, while Jace Geiger threw a nice 15-yard to Chandler Shady.

Imel ties for 9th at Penn State
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Kaylee Imel, a member of the Western Michigan University women’s golf team, tied for ninth place individually at the Penn State Nittany Lions’ Invitational last weekend.
Imel, a 2009 Norwell graduate, finished with a 10-over-par 226 (70-75-81) for the tournament.

Ties abound in senior golf league
Dick Moser, Bill Amburn and Jerry Moss tied for the low gross score each with a 43 in the Tuesday Senior Golf League at Green Valley Golf Course in Bluffton.
Rex Somer and Moser tied for the low net score with each posting a 29.
Members of the winning team were Paul Perry, Fred Pernell, Bud Frauhiger and Moser. Amburn was the closest to the pin and Tom Antrim made the longest putt.

Ilitch to buy up Pistons, too
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Pistons have decided to sell the team to Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, a person involved with the process said.
Forbes last year valued the team at $479 million, but a weak economy, the threat of an NBA lockout next year and a motivated seller — Karen Davidson — likely mean the price is lower.
If the sale goes through, the 81-year-old Ilitch — the Little Caesars Pizza mogul — would be the only person to own and control teams in three of North America’s four major professional leagues. Ted Turner once owned the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers.

IRS asked to ‘thoroughly’
investigate major football bowls
WASHINGTON (AP) — Four lawmakers are urging the Internal Revenue Service to “thoroughly examine” a tax complaint filed against three premier college football bowls.
Playoff PAC, a political action committee that wants the bowls replaced with a championship playoff system, recently filed the IRS complaint against the operators of the Fiesta, Sugar and Orange Bowls. They are three of the five games that constitute the Bowl Championship Series (the other two are the Rose Bowl and the BCS title game).
The complaint accuses the three bowls of violating their tax-exempt status by paying excessive salaries and perks, providing “sweetheart loans” and doing undisclosed lobbying.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Oct. 5
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Regional at Delta, 4:30 p.m..
CROSS COUNTRY: Bluffton, Southern Wells at ACAC Championships, Monroe, 5:30 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: East Noble at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.; ACAC Tournament at Heritage, 6 p.m.
———
Wednesday, Oct. 6
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Team Regional at Delta, TBD.
———
Thursday, Oct. 7
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional at Decatur, Bellmont vs. South Adams, 5 p.m., Heritage vs. Norwell, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER: Norwell at Heritage, 5 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: Homestead at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.; ACAC Tournament at Heritage, 6 p.m.
———
Friday, Oct. 8
FOOTBALL: Bluffton at Adams Central, 7 p.m.; Norwell at Homestead, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells at Monroe Central, 7:30 p.m.
———
Saturday, Oct. 9
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Team Semi-State, TBD.
BOYS SOCCER: IHSAA Sectional at Decatur, championship, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

JV Knights blank Dekalb
The Norwell junior varsity football team traveled to Dekalb Monday and came home with a 27-0 victory. Nathan Shelton threw for two touchdowns and ran for another on a 1-yard run.
Joe rasdorf was on the receiving end of a 57-yard toss and Austin Dettmer scored the other on a 30-yard reception. Andrew Brinson also scored on a 22-yard run. Robbie Ritter scored on a two-point conversion attempt.
Justin Gray, Beau Burke, and Kyler Mills each recovered a fumble and Austin Dettmer had an interception.

NW Boys, Girls fall to Columbia City
The Norwell girls’ soccer team fell to the Columbia City squad Monday evening by a 5-0 tally. Haley Heller had 47 saves on the night. The Knights now stand at 4-9-2 and will play at Heritage Thursday. In the junior varsity game, Norwell and Columbia City battled to an 0-0 tie.
In the boys match, Norwell lost by a 2-0 score, while the junior varsity match also ended in a scoreless tie. It was the final regular season match as the squad will compete against Heritage Thursday in sectional action.

Ramseyer’s run a record
The News-Banner was informed Tuesday morning that Sam Ramseyer’s performance in Saturday’s South Adams cross country invitational set a Southern Wells Middle School record with a run of 11:24.
Additionally, there was a typographical error in the paragraph reporting the middle school team’s victory. It should have read:
In the middle school girls’ race, the 1-2 punch of Sam Ramseyer (second) and Meghan Yencer (fourth) led Southern Wells to the team championship. Other Raiders were Chloe Maddox, 15th overall and 14th in the team standings; Timber Tucker, 19th and 18th; Shelby Skidmore, 20th and 19th; Autumn Stevens, 24th and 22nd; Chloe Elam, 28th and 26th; Brooke Penrod, 33rd overall; Tori Wiese, 38th; Jordan Sills, 48th; and Kennedy Thodes, 60th.

Sign up for Future Lady Tigers
Bluffton’s girls’ basketball will be tipping off its Future Lady Tigers program Oct. 16, which runs on Saturdays through Dec. 11 at the high school. Students in grades 3-6 may register for $25, with each additional child for $15. A team jersey is included. Registration forms may be picked up and returned at the high school, middle school and elementary school offices or by e-mailing head coach Vicki Van Matre at vvanmatre@bhmsd.k12.in.us. Deadline is Oct. 8. For more information, call Coach Van Matre at 824-3724, ext. 7304.

Smith optimistic about Cutler
(AP) — Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith sounded optimistic that quarterback Jay Cutler will be back soon from his concussio.
Smith said Cutler was back at the practice facility Monday and was “feeling OK” after sitting out the second half of a 17-3 loss the previous night against the New York Giants.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Bluffton Football vs. Heritage


Michael Pearson catching the first touchdown for the tigers.
(Photo by News-Banner Intern: Marci Mettler)

1st Round of Boys Sectionals


Michael Vanderkolk

Jackson Bates

Jackson Bates

Chandler Okey

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Tennis sectional postponed
The IHSAA Norwell tennis sectional was postponed due to weather Saturday. It will be held today at 4:30 p.m.

Knights top North Side
The Norwell Girls soccer team scored 5 goals in the second half to defeat Fort Wayne North Side Saturday by a 6-1 tally.
Sophomore Tasia De Leon led the Knights with 3 goals and 2 assists. Alex Hartman, Carlee Harnish and Lauren Johnson all scored one goal. Defensively sophomore Haley Heller had 14 saves. The Knights are now 4-8-2 and will host Columbia City in a conference match tonight and then travel to Heritage Thursday.

Youth Rabbit and Squirrel Hunt at Salamonie Reservoir

Indiana DNR release:

A youth rabbit and a youth squirrel hunt will be held at the Salamonie Reservoir on Oct. 30. The event will start at the property’s visitor center at 7 a.m.

Hunters between the ages of 11 and 17 will have a choice between participating in either the rabbit hunt or the squirrel hunt. Hunters will be in the field until noon. A short wildlife-cleaning instructional session will be available after the morning hunt.

Salamonie Reservoir, Indiana Beaglers Alliance, the National Cur and Feist Breeders Association, and the National Kennel Club will serve as hosts.

All youth participants are encouraged to have attended and passed a Hunter Education course; however, youth must have either a valid Indiana Youth Hunting License or Apprentice License to participate. Information regarding upcoming Hunter Education courses is available here.

Participants must register in advance by calling Jack Hyden at (574) 551-4067 by Oct. 22. Adults wishing to volunteer as dog handlers or mentors must register in advance at the same phone number.

Youth are encouraged to bring their own shotguns; shotguns will be provided for youth that do not have their own.

Youths will have one private mentor each who will supervise and assist during the hunt. Parents are also encouraged to accompany the youth, but that is not mandatory.

A lunch will be provided after the morning hunt for all youth, mentors and dog handlers.

The event and meals are free for all who attend. Youth Hunting Licenses are $7 and will be available at the Salamonie Visitor Center the day of the hunt. Licenses are also available online here.

The Salamonie Interpretive Center is located in Lost Bridge West Recreation Area, west of Highway 105 in western Huntington County.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Special night at Tigers’ game
At Friday night’s Bluffton home football game, fall senior athletes, cheerleaders and Bengal Brigade members will be recognized prior to the start of the game. These introductions will take place at approximately 6:40 p.m.
Senior athletes and parents are to line up at the north end of the stadium at 6:30 p.m. These seniors will gain free admission to the game, but parents and family members are expected to purchase a ticket.
During halftime, all middle school football players and middle school cheerleaders will be recognized. These athletes are to line up at the north end of the stadium at the midway point of the second quarter. These athletes will gain free admission to the game, but parents and family members are expected to purchase a ticket.
All Bluffton High School students will be admitted at no charge to the game. These students will be expected to sign-in at the game and are encouraged to sit in the student section of the bleachers.
Students also are reminded that only Nerf or soft footballs are permitted. Students (elementary school grades 1-6) are requested to play only touch football in the grass area south of the stadium.

Knights storm back
to spike New Haven 3-2
The Norwell Knights rallied to defeat New Haven 3-2 on Thursday night in Northeast Hoosier Conference volleyball action at New Haven.
Norwell tallied game scores of 25-23, 23-25, 15-25, 25-12, 15-11. The Knights raised their record to 17-10 and 1-4 in conference matches.
Lauren Klansek powered the Knights’ attack with 22 kills, three aces and 14 digs. Amanda McAfee had seven kills and 10 digs. Olivia Geiger added five kills and one ace. Jessica Louison had four kills and 11 digs. Elizabeth Ault had 15 digs. Laken Chaney had 33 assists and two aces.
New Haven was led by Alisha Huffman with 19 kills. Chanlar Hall had 12 and Amber Knueve 10. Hannah Salerno had 44 assists. Knueve and Hall each had 11 digs. Hall had five total blocks.
In the junior varsity match, New Haven won 24-25, 25-24, 15-10. Norwell was led by Olivia Harness, Cassandra Heckber and Heather Sterrett each with six kills. Tiffany Williams had 19 assists and Kendall Beckstein had 13 digs. Sterrett had two blocks and Jalyn Kremer had two aces.

Leo downs Tigers in ACAC volleyball
Leo defeated the Bluffton Tigers 3-0 in Allen County Athletic Conference girls’ volleyball action Thursday night at Leo-Cedarville.
The Lions posted game scores of 25-20, 25-4, 25-17. Leo finished second in the ACAC at 6-1, while Bluffton (7-18) ended up 1-6 in the loop.
Kara Fiechter led the Tigers with eight kills, four assists and two digs. Maggie Garrett had three kills, Gina Eisenhut two, Sierra Steffen one and Paige Jacobs one. Megan Evans added three assists and two digs. Natasha Patterson had three digs and one assist. Hannah and Sammy Gilliam each had two digs.

Sign up for Future Lady Tigers
Bluffton’s girls’ basketball will be tipping off its Future Lady Tigers program Oct. 16, which runs on Saturdays through Dec. 11 at the high school. Students in grades 3-6 may register for $25, with each additional child for $15. A team jersey is included. Registration forms may be picked up and returned at the high school, middle school and elementary school offices or by e-mailing head coach Vicki Van Matre at vvanmatre@bhmsd.k12.in.us. Deadline is Oct. 8. For more information, call Coach Van Matre at 824-3724, ext. 7304.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Oct. 1
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, Adams Central vs. Bellmont, Norwell vs. Huntington North, 4:30 p.m.
FOOTBALL: Heritage at Bluffton, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells at Adams Central, 7 p.m.; DeKalb at Norwell, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 2
BOYS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, championship, 10 a.m.
CROSS COUNTRY: NHC Championships at IPFW (Plex), 9 a.m.; Bluffton, Southern Wells at South Adams Invitational, Noon.
GIRLS SOCCER: FW North Side at Norwell, 10 a.m.