High School Sports Calendar

Monday, Nov. 30
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Canterbury at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 1
SWIMMING: Bluffton at Jay County, 6 p.m.; Carroll at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Jay County, 6 p.m.; Mississinewa at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; Norwell at FW Wayne, 6:15 p.m.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Blackhawk Christian at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: Huntington North at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3
SWIMMING: Muncie Southside at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Marion at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.
WRESTLING: Bluffton at Woodlan, 6:30 p.m.; Norwell at New Haven, 6:30 p.m.; Southern Wells at Heritage, postponed, TBD.

Friday, Dec. 4
BOYS BASKETBALL: South Adams at Bluffton, 6 p.m. (Freshman, 5 p.m.); Southern Wells at Adams Central, 6 p.m.; Whitko at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5
SWIMMING: Bluffton at Marion Relays, 9 a.m.
JV WRESTLING: Southern Wells at FW Bishop Dwenger, 8:30 a.m.; Norwell at Columbia City Invitational, 9 a.m.
WRESTLING: Norwell at Huntington North Invitational, 9 a.m.; Southern Wells at Frankton 6-way, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Homestead at Norwell, noon; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Devin Leas helps in Trine loss
Southern Wells graduate Devin Leas scored a touchdown for Trine on Saturday in a 34-17 loss to Wittenberg in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs at Springfield, Ohio.
The one-yard run by the Trine freshman tied the game at 7-7 early in the second quarter, but Wittenberg pulled away with three touchdown passes before halftime. Leas led the Thunder (10-2) with 48 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Wittenberg (12-0) will play No. 2 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday. Wisconsin-Whitewater was the 2008 national runner-up.
Norwell graduate Paul Frank is a member of the Wittenberg scout team. Frank, a sophomore defense tackle, will help keep the varsity sharp in practice but will not make the trip, because NCAA Div. III rules limit teams to 52 players.

Meghan Prible nets 15 points
University of Saint Francis freshman guard Meghan Prible scored 15 points Saturday, but the Cougars’ women’s basketball team lost 76-61 to Southern Indiana in the Metro Medical Solutions Thanksgiving Classic at Louisville, Ky.
The 2009 Southern Wells graduate was 4 of 9 from field-goal range, including 1 of 4 from three-point territory, and 6 of 6 at the free-throw line.

Rainbow 5K records broken
Three runners broke the course record for the Rainbow Lake 5K on Saturday at Geneva.
Nicholas Johnson, 22, of Huntington won the 5,000-meter race in 15:18, breaking the previous record of 15:53 set by Ian Thomas. Elias Rojas, 23, of Ligonier was second in 15:35 and Drake Sterling of Noblesville was third in 15:51. Thomas was fourth, once again finishing in 15:53.
Lauren Johnson, 22, of Huntington was one of five women who broke the women’s record of 21:18 set by Jill Roughia. Johnson was eighth overall in 17:37.
Elizabeth Herndon of Fort Wayne was 10th in 17:53, Sue Nickel of Hanover 20th in 20:04, Denise Conrad of Decatur 21st in 20:15, and Nichole Emmert of Ligonier 24th in 20:38.
Ed Reinhard of Poneto was 23rd overall in 20:37 and was first in the men’s 50-and-over division.

BSU invited to Great Alaska Shootout
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Ball State men’s basketball team has received an invitation to the 2010 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage. The Cardinals with be part of an eight-team field that includes Alaska-Anchorage, Arizona State, Drake, Houston Baptist, St. John’s, Southeast Louisiana and Southern Utah.
The 2010 tournament will run Nov. 24-27 and will return to its traditional 8-team bracket format for the 33rd season. Ball State will be making its second trip to Alaska as the Cardinals took part in the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks during the 2002-03 season in which they posted a 2-1 record.

Outdoor Indiana in Holiday from the Parks gift pack

Indiana DNR Release:

Avoid the malls and give a friend or family member a unique outdoor gift by ordering the Holiday from the Parks package deal from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. But hurry if you want to meet holiday mailing deadlines.

The $99 package deal includes a subscription to the state's premier outdoor magazine, Outdoor Indiana. OI is a bi-monthly, full-color publication featuring stories, photographs and news from all corners of the Hoosier state.

Also included in the deal is a 2010 annual resident state park entrance permit, a $50 state park inns gift certificate and DVD copy of the just-released documentary "Indiana State Parks: Treasures in Your Own Backyard."

The package deal is a $20 savings over purchasing the items individually.

Orders received by Dec. 14 will ship by Dec. 21. The offer expires Dec. 31, 2009. The package deal is available online at www.innsgifts.com or by calling (317) 233-3046 or (317) 233-2347.

Saturday at the Raiderdome

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler attended the Southern Wells vs. Adams Central game on Saturday at the Raiderdome and brought back a couple cool videos.

Check them out:

Barker recognized

Bluffton-Harrison Schools Superintendent Wayne Barker was recognized for his outstanding coaching achievements during the Snider-Bluffton game on Saturday.

Sports Editor Paul Beitler captured the event on video...

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL: South Adams at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Jay County, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Southern Wells, noon.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: FW Snider at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Northfield, postponed to Dec. 14; FW Snider at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Adams Central, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Crusaders
down Raiders
The Norwell Crusaders defeated Southern Wells in boys’ middle school basketball on Tuesday at the Raiderdome.
Norwell won the 8th-grade game 45-15 and the 7th-grade Crusaders won 50-26.
Brent Bales led the 8th-grade Crusaders with 10 points and Dakota Miller added nine. Drew Shively had seven, Justice Reed five, Jonah Patten four, Logan Dettmer four, Cal Clouser two, Brett Wilson two and Jordan Dickey two.
Piercen Harnish netted 14 points and Nathan Allison 10 to pace the 7th-grade Crusaders. Garrett Mohler and Brandon Burch each had six points, Reggie Hayes five, Andrew Oakes three, Joseph Friend three, Chandler Shady two and Anthony Richard one.
Southern Wells did not report results.

Register for
Little Squires
Northern Wells Community School district boys and girls in grades K-2 may still register for the Norwell Little Squires Basketball League by Monday, Nov. 30.
Registration forms have been distributed to all schools. The league begins Dec. 3, with sessions running from 6-7:15 p.m. in the Norwell auxiliary gym. Cost is $25 for the five-week league. Players will work on skills for 30 minutes and then play a 32-minute game on 8-foot goals with no score being kept. Teams will be coached by Norwell varsity players.
For further information, please call 543-2213 for boys’ varsity coach Randy Hawkins (ext. 7319) or girls’ varsity coach Eric Thornton (ext. 7233).

Let's Get Ready to Wrestle!

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler captured some great wrestling footage of the Norwell vs Bluffton wrestling match on Tuesday.

Both teams did very well. Check out Paul's story in today's News-Banner.

Record buck?

Although it is probably impossible to verify, Nottingham Township resident Jeff Gordon has been told he took what may be a record buck in Wells County. Gordon harvested what he calls a "Buck of dreams" during the early archery season in Wells County on Oct. 30. It is a nontypical 22 point buck with a 21-inch spread. He reports that it unofficially nets a "Boone and Crockett Green Score" of 191. (Photo submitted)

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 24
SWIMMING: Columbia City at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.; Bluffton at Oak Hill (Girls only), 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: FW Wayne at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; Norwell at FW Concordia Lutheran, 6:15 p.m.
WRESTLING: Norwell at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 25
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Eastbrook, postponed to Dec. 22; Norwell at Fremont, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 26
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

Friday, Nov. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL: South Adams at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Jay County, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Southern Wells, noon.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: FW Snider at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Northfield, postponed to Dec. 14; FW Snider at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Adams Central, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Jr. High Raider girls sweep SA
The Southern Wells Junior High School girls’ basketball teams swept South Adams on Monday. The 8th-grade Raiders won 32-7 and the 7th-grade Raiders won 21-10.
Meghan Yencer, Brooke Penrod and Lela Knowles each scored four points to lead the 7th-grade Raiders. Savannah Deakyne added three. Kiarra Leas, Jordan Sills and Megan Lefebvre each had two points.
Carissa Carter and Ashton Prible both netted 12 points to lead the 8th-grade Raiders. Olivia Mossburg added six and Hillary Paxson two.

Bluffton MS boys beat Jets
The Bluffton Middle School boys’ basketball teams downed the Adams Central Jets Monday. The 7th-grade Tigers won 45-27 and the 8th-grade Tigers won 32-30.
Kevin Moser scored 11 points and Noah Antrim 10 to lead the 7th-grade Tigers. Kohl Buskirk added nine, Ethan Kitt four and Dane Hoffman three. Collin Mechling, Josh Moriarity, Drew Hunter and James Spera all added two points.
Mike Pearson led the 8th-graders with 12. Josh Streveler and Austin Brigner each added six. Jake Garrett tossed in five and Darren Gillum three.

MS Tiger girls split at AC
The Bluffton Middle School 7th-grade girls’ basketball team defeated Adams Central 37-16 at Monroe, while Adams Central won the 8th-grade game 28-18.
Erin McKinley led the 7th-grade Tigers (2-0) with 11 points. Emma Thompson added eight. Kennedy Johnson and Lauren Brinneman each had four points. Hannah Vandentop, Morgan Corle, Catie Neuenschwander, Lauren Stauffer and Mackenzie Park all added two points.
Taeler Meadows and Laura Stroud each had six points for the 8th-grade Tigers (1-1). Sierra Steffen added four and Mandy Davis two.

Crusaders top East Jay
The Norwell Crusaders boys’ basketball teams defeated East Jay Monday night at Portland. The 8th-grade Crusaders won 39-37 and the 7th-graders won 40-24.
Jonah Patten scored 13 points to lead the 8th-grade Crusaders. David Vogel added eight. Brent Bales, Cal Clouser and Brett Wilson each scored six.
Andrew Oakes led the 7th-grade Crusaders with 11 points. Brandon Burch had nine and Piercen Harnish eight. Adam Nahrwold added four, Reggie Hayes three, Nathan Allison two, Chandler Shady two and Ashton McCune one.

Register for Norwell Little Squires
Northern Wells Community School district boys and girls in grades K-2 may still register for the Norwell Little Squires Basketball League by Monday, Nov. 30.
Registration forms have been distributed to all schools. The league begins Dec. 3, with sessions running from 6-7:15 p.m. in the Norwell Auxiliary Gym. Cost is $25 for the five-week league. Players will work on skills for 30 minutes and then play a 32-minute game on 8-foot goals with no score being kept. Teams will be coached by Norwell varsity players. For further information, please call 543-2213 for boys’ varsity coach Randy Hawkins (ext. 7319) or girls’ varsity coach Eric Thornton (ext. 7233).

Database is source for outdoor fun, fitness and learning

Indiana DNR Release:

A new database makes it easier to find convenient, fun ways to improve children's mental and physical well by enjoying a park or natural area near your home or travel destination.

The Web site, www.nps.gov/ChildrenInNature/BestPractices, contains a searchable database of approximately 450 outdoor activities compiled from hundreds of national, state, and local parks and program offices, many of them in Indiana.

The database is the result of a new partnership of the National Park Service, the National Association of State Park Directors, and the National Recreation and Park Association, which was recently formed to develop and promote programs and policies in parks and
other areas that connect children with nature.

“There are a number of studies that have concluded that time spent outdoors promotes not only physical health in children, but mental health and social development as well,” said Ginger Murphy, assistant director for stewardship for Indiana state parks and reservoirs. “Nature is a great classroom for all of us, and the programs listed on this Web site provide educators, parents and group leaders with some great ideas for spending time outdoors with youngsters.”

Leaders of the three conservation organizations signed a partnership declaration that contains an action plan to increase public awareness of local and national natural resources. Dan Bortner, director of Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs is an active participant in the National Association of State Park Directors. “We are excited to be a part of this partnership,” he said.

In Indiana, interpretive naturalists are available at many state parks and reservoirs to facilitate outdoor learning and fun. “Our interpretive naturalists are nationally recognized leaders in outdoor education and programming who have contact with over a million adults and children annually,” Bortner said. “They are always available for advice on places to hike and play outdoors at our state parks and reservoirs.”

For more information about outdoor activities and events at Indiana state parks and reservoirs visit www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov.

Southern Wells Lady Raiders practice

We just happened to be at Southern Wells Monday and caught a few minutes of the Lady Raiders hard at work on the basketball court.

Check it out:

Pokagon SP is hot for cold winter fun

Indiana DNR Release:

Pokagon State Park provides many outdoor recreation opportunities during winter. If you’ve never ridden Indiana’s only refrigerated toboggan run, this is your year. If you already have, you're welcome back.

The toboggan run opens Friday, Nov. 27, and is open every weekend through the end of February. Special daily holiday hours occur during the Christmas and New Year’s season. Visit www.tobogganrun.com for more. For the first time, toboggan run gift certificates are available and can be ordered at (260) 833-2012, www.tobogganrun.com, or at the park office from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors are invited to enjoy a variety of side hills on their own sleds, tubes and toboggans between trips down the park’s toboggan run. Picnic sites remain open during winter months. Park goers are encouraged to grill and enjoy campfires.

Pokagon also has 15 miles of cross-country skiing trails, and the ski rental shop is ready to go. Once there is a 6-inch base of snow, a special track setter will groom several miles of trails for a variety of skill levels. Pokagon’s ski shop is open weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ski rentals cease at 4 p.m.

When conditions permit, frozen Lake James and Lake Lonidaw provide ice fishing, ice skating, and hockey. Visitors must supply their own equipment for these activities.

Warm indoor activities include special weekday and weekend programs. The Nature Center is open weekdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pokagon’s historic Potawatomi Inn provides a variety of guest rooms ranging from rustic to suites. The inn provides two restaurants, an indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, crafts room, activities department, a quaint library, and a lounge featuring a wood-burning fireplace. December through April, visitors may stay two consecutive nights for the price of one, Sunday through Thursday.

One of Pokagon’s five campgrounds remains open throughout the winter. Sites are plowed of snow. Water and electricity are available, and a modern, heated restroom with flush toilets and hot showers remains open.

Park entrance fees of $5 per vehicle for Indiana residents and $7 per vehicle for non-residents apply.

Bass fingerlings to boost Fort Wayne fishing

Indiana DNR Release:

FORT WAYNE – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources continued efforts to improve fishing opportunities in Fort Wayne by recently stocking 780 largemouth bass into the ponds at Lakeside Park.

The stocking is part of the “Fishin’ in the Fort” program initiated in 2008 with the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department. The program aims to evaluate local fish populations, improve fishing around the city, and encourage youth to participate in outdoor activities.

The bass, approximately one to three inches long, were surplus fingerlings from this year’s state hatchery production and were stocked to prey on small sunfish.

“A fish population survey in 2008 showed that bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish were very abundant and exhibited slow growth rates,” said DNR fisheries biologist Nate Thomas. “Similarly, few bass were captured in the survey, indicating there were not enough predators to control the sunfish population.”

Thomas expects the largemouth bass to have noticeable effects in the next three to four years. Bass stocked this fall may limit sunfish reproduction in the spring by feeding on their fry. With a couple of years, he said the bass will be large enough to prey on adult sunfish. He said the stocking will provide potentially more and bigger bass for anglers and with less sunfish, bluegill fishing also should improve.

“It’s all an effort to create balance among predators and their prey,” Thomas said. “This will help provide better fishing in the future.”

The DNR also stocked surplus largemouth bass in Cemetery Pond near J. Edward Roush Lake, Hominy Ridge pond near Salamonie Reservoir, and Bostwick’s Pond near Missisinewa Reservoir.

The IDNR would like to remind anglers that they may only keep up to five (5) largemouth bass per day and that each must be at least 14" long. Additionally, state fishing regulations are enforced at all waters historically stocked with state-reared or state-purchased fish, including the requirement of anglers 17 years and older to carry a valid annual state fishing license.

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, Nov. 23
BOYS C-TEAM BASKETBALL: Norwell at South Adams, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 24
SWIMMING: Columbia City at Norwell, 5:30 p.m.; Bluffton at Oak Hill (Girls only), 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: FW Wayne at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; Norwell at FW Concordia Lutheran, 6:15 p.m.
WRESTLING: Norwell at Bluffton, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 25
BOYS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Eastbrook, postponed to Dec. 22; Norwell at Fremont, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 26
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY

Friday, Nov. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL: South Adams at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Jay County, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Adams Central at Southern Wells, noon.
BOYS FRESHMAN BASKETBALL: FW Snider at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Northfield, postponed to Dec. 14; FW Snider at Bluffton, 6 p.m.; Norwell at Adams Central, 6 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Meghan Prible off to good start
The University of Saint Francis women’s basketball team upped its early record to 3-0 with a 90-83 victory over Saint Joseph’s on Saturday at Rensselaer.
Freshman guard Meghan Prible, a 2009 Southern Wells graduate, contributed four points on 2-of-10 shooting from the field and pulled down six rebounds. She also had two assists and five turnovers in 15 minutes of action.
Prible, who has been starting for the Cougars, came into the game ranked 49th in NAIA Division II field goal percentage (.522). After three games, she is averaging 11.3 points per game and now has a .424 field goal percentage.

Alford undefeated for SW jayvee
Jacob Alford, a junior 130-pound wrestler, had a perfect start for the Southern Wells Raiders’ junior varsity matmen Saturday at the West Noble JV Invitational.
Alford pinned three opponents as he won four matches. He opened the tournament with an 11-9 overtime decision.
Blake Banter (145 pounds), Zach Green (135) and Cody Yeiter (215) each finished with 1-3 marks. Green and Yeiter each won by a pin, while Banter scored an 8-0 major decision in his third-round match.
Michael McLain (145) and Cory Haviland (119) ended up with 0-4 records.

Raider Football: The team with heart in abundance! (pt 2)

It cannot be overstated how hard this team played and how well they performed in the face of stiff opposition.
On Friday, the Raiders showed they have what it takes to compete and that they have the character to survive, win or lose....

Raider Football: The team with heart in abundance!

Southern Wells Raiders may have lost Friday night, but they remain winners in our eyes and in the eyes of the thousands of Wells County residents who turned out to support them....

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 20
FOOTBALL: Class A Semi-State, Lafayette Central Catholic at Southern Wells, 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m. (Freshman, Huntington North at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 21
JV WRESTLING: Norwell, Southern Wells at West Noble Invitational, 9 a.m.
VARSITY WRESTLING: FW Concordia Lutheran, Fremont, Harding at Bluffton, 9 a.m.

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, Nov. 19
GIRLS SWIMMING: Adams Central at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Huntington North at Norwell, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Huntington North at Bluffton scrimmage, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells scrimmage at FW Elmhurst, cancelled.

Friday, Nov. 20
FOOTBALL: Class A Semi-State, Lafayette Central Catholic at Southern Wells, 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m. (Freshman, Huntington North at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 21
JV WRESTLING: Norwell, Southern Wells at West Noble Invitational, 9 a.m.
VARSITY WRESTLING: FW Concordia Lutheran at Bluffton, 9 a.m.

High School Sports Calendar

Wednesday, Nov. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Garrett at Norwell scrimmage, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19
GIRLS SWIMMING: Adams Central at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Huntington North at Norwell, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Huntington North at Bluffton scrimmage, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells scrimmage at FW Elmhurst, cancelled.

Friday, Nov. 20
FOOTBALL: Class A Semi-State, Lafayette Central Catholic at Southern Wells, 7:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m. (Freshman, Huntington North at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 21
JV WRESTLING: Norwell, Southern Wells at West Noble Invitational, 9 a.m.
VARSITY WRESTLING: FW Concordia Lutheran at Bluffton, 9 a.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Bryce Biberstein receives award
Norwell senior football player Bryce Biberstein was one of 24 Indiana athletes named to the 2009 Indianapolis Colts’ Academic All-State Team.
Biberstein, son of Angela Vachon and Kraig Biberstein, will receive a plaque at halftime of the Colts’ game against the Denver Broncos on Dec. 13. Norwell coach Jeff Miller also will be receiving his Indianapolis Colts’ Coach of the Week award.
Biberstein was a three-year starter for the Knights at cornerback. He will be attending college next fall to become a medical doctor and plans to play football. He will be announcing his college choice in the near future.
He is the second Norwell student to receive this award. Kyle Gilbert received the award in 2002.
Recipients are ranked in the top two percent or better in their senior class.

Norwell 8th-grade girls win in OT
The Norwell 8th-grade girls’ basketball team defeated the East Jay Chiefs 28-23 in overtime Tuesday night at Norwell.
Kelsey Beer led the Crusaders with 12 points. Laken Chaney and Alicia Coleman each added five points. Olivia Geiger had four and Kylee Byerly two.
The 7th-grade Crusaders lost 21-17. Hanna Smith had nine points for Norwell. Madi Stinson had four. Erika Thornton and Liara Isnogle each had two.

Bluffton MS boys sweep Salamonie
The Bluffton Middle School boys’ basketball teams swept the Salamonie Rebels Tuesday night at home. The 7th-grade Tigers won 31-17 and the 8th-graders won 29-22.
Mike Pearson scored 13 points for the 8th-grade Tigers. Josh Streveler added nine points, Jake Garrett five and Malcolm Marshall two.
Kohl Buskirk scored 12 and Kevin Moser 11 for the 7th-grade Tigers. Ethan Kitt had four, James Spera three and Dane Hoffman one.

Bluffton MS girls top Salamonie
The Bluffton Middle School girls’ basketball teams defeated the Salamonie Rebels Tuesday night at Warren.
The 7th-grade Tigers won 32-9 with Erin McKinley scoring 20 points. Morgan Corle and Emma Thompson each had four points. Sierra Perry and Jenean Steffen each added two points.
The 8th-grade Tigers edged Salamonie 27-25. Taeler Meadows led the Tigers with 15 points. Sierra Steffen and Kaylynne Baublet both added four points. Laura Stroud and Mandy Davis each had two.

Parents fight cutting football teams
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Protesters have been unable to change the decision to stop fielding football teams at three Indianapolis high schools.
More than a dozen people asked the Indianapolis Public Schools board Tuesday night to stop the district superintendent from canceling football at Manual, Marshall and Washington high schools.
Superintendent Eugene White says those schools had too few students choosing to play, resulting in teams that weren’t competitive.
Parent Loren Sprowl said the decision sends a bad message and will hurt morale among students at the schools.
White said the three schools had been given extra resources over the last five years to improve turnout for football.

Southern Wells Vs Blackford

Paul Beitler shot some video in Hartford City Tuesday night, during halftime of the girls' varsity basketball game between Southern Wells and host Blackford.

Blackford hosted Indiana Fever forward Ebony Hoffman. The 6-foot-2 forward is from Los Angeles and the University of Southern California. Hoffman helped lead the Fever to the WNBA Eastern Conference championship.

In the second clip Hoffman presents one of her jerseys to student Sydney Taylor.

Raiders ready for Knights

Paul Beitler shot this video at Southern Wells during their Tuesday evening football practice for Friday's Class A semi-state game against 13-0 Lafayette Central Catholic at Southern Wells.

With rain coming down and a cool breeze coming out of the northeast, the 11-2 Raiders were preparing for the No. 1 Knights.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 17
GIRLS SWIMMING: Norwell, 5:30 p.m.; Huntington North at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Blackford, 6 p.m.; Mississinewa at Bluffton, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Garrett at Norwell scrimmage, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19
GIRLS SWIMMING: Adams Central at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Huntington North at Norwell, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Huntington North at Bluffton scrimmage, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells scrimmage at FW Elmhurst, cancelled.

Friday, Nov. 20
FOOTBALL: Class A Semi-State, Lafayette Central Catholic at Southern Wells, TBD.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m. (Freshman, Huntington North at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 21
JV WRESTLING: Norwell, Southern Wells at West Noble Invitational, 9 a.m.
VARSITY WRESTLING: FW Concordia Lutheran at Bluffton, 9 a.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Raiders to host semi-state
Lafayette Central Catholic will travel to Southern Wells Friday for a Class A football semi-state game with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.
The Knights are ranked No. 1 and Raiders No. 8.
Tickets will go on sale before Friday in the high school office as follows: Wednesday from 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Thursday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Friday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $7. There is no charge for preschool children.

Tigers’ hoop opener changed
The Bluffton boys’ basketball season opener has been changed. The Tigers will be hosting the Snider Panthers on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m.
The original opener against Eastbrook has been postponed and the games are rescheduled for Dec. 22 at Eastbrook at 6 p.m.
Before the varisty game against Snider, the Tigers will recognize Wayne Barker for his years of service as varsity boys’ basketball coach. A small reception will follow the game in the cafetorium.
The 2009 baseball sectional championship team also will be recognized at halftime of the varsity game.

Tigers to take hygiene items
Bluffton High School will charge a $3 admission to Thursday night’s boys’ basketball scrimmage against Huntington North. Fans also may gain admittance at no charge by donating personal hygiene items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap and deodorant to the Wells County Food Bank.

Otters record first-place finishes
Logan Brink, Stephanie Bussey, Skyler Ruschhaupt and Dan Scher led the Huntington-Wells Otters swim team on Nov. 7-8 at the PRO Superstar Invitational meet at Penn High School in Mishawaka.
Bussey was first in the girls’ 15-over 100-yard breaststroke in 1:12:51 and the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:37.96. Brink was first in the girls’ 15-over 100-yard freestyle in 54.15 seconds.
Ruschhaupt was first in the boys’ 15-over 200-yard individual medley in 2:01.40. Scher was first in the 50-yard freestyle in 22.68.
Ruschhaupt, Scher, Tony Carroll and Dominic Vernasco were first in the 200-yard medley relay in 1:44.61. Trevor Carroll joined Tony Carroll, Ruschhaupt and Scher to win the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:29.83.
Breanna Robinson, Kailin Potter, Sarah Coyne and Brink won the 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:43.20.
Parker Brandenburg, Chase Carroll, Walter Hacker and Anthony Vernasco won the boys’ 11-12 200-yard freestyle relay in 1:57.40 and the 200-yard medley relay in 2:11.54.

Cheer clinic at Huntington University
The Huntington University cheerleading squad will host a cheer clinic on Saturday from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Merillat Complex.
Girls ages 5-14 are invited to participate. Cost is $25. Registration and payment may be made the day of the clinic, but to ensure attendees receive a clinic T-shirt please call cheer coach Candace Cooper at 260-224-0179.
Participants also are invited back to the men’s basketball game at 3 p.m. and will be admitted by wearing their clinic T-shirt. At halftime, the clinic attendees will perform a cheer.
Rachel Batdorff, a 2009 Norwell graduate and former cheerleader, is part of the Foresters’ cheer squad.

Jr. High Raider girls split openers
The Southern Wells Junior High School girls’ basketball teams split their season-opening games against Eastbrook on Monday. The 8th-grade Raiders rolled over the Panthers 49-7, while the 7th-graders lost a squeaker 16-15.
The 8th-grade Raiders were led in scoring by Carissa Carter with 11 points and Olivia Mossburg with 10. Katelyn Kline added eight, Ashton Prible and Megan Thompson six apiece, Breanna Hinshaw four, Hillary Paxson and Kim Captain with two.
Savannah Deakyne scored six points to lead the 7th-graders. Molly Stoffel, Lela Knowles, Brooke Penrod and Megan Lefebvre each netted two points, while Meghan Yencer had one point.

BMS basketball games cancelled
The Bluffton Middle School boys’ basketball games against West Jay on Wednesday have been cancelled.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 17
GIRLS SWIMMING: Norwell, 5:30 p.m.; Huntington North at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Southern Wells at Blackford, 6 p.m.; Mississinewa at Bluffton, 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL: Garrett at Norwell scrimmage, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19
GIRLS SWIMMING: Adams Central at Bluffton, 5:30 p.m.; Huntington North at Norwell, 6 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL: Huntington North at Bluffton scrimmage, 7 p.m.; Southern Wells scrimmage at FW Elmhurst, cancelled.

Friday, Nov. 20
FOOTBALL: Class A Semi-State, Lafayette Central Catholic at Southern Wells, TBD.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Norwell, 6:15 p.m. (Freshman, Huntington North at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 21
JV WRESTLING: Norwell, Southern Wells at West Noble Invitational, 9 a.m.
VARSITY WRESTLING: FW Concordia Lutheran at Bluffton, 9 a.m.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6:15 p.m.
FOOTBALL: Class A Regional, Southern Wells at Knightstown, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14
GIRLS SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Prep swimming polls released

The Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association (IHSSCA) team rankings are as follows for boys and girls:
BOYS: 1. Munster; 2. Carmel; 3. Fishers; 4. Hamilton Southeastern; 5. Chesterton; 6. Concord; 7. Bloomington South; 8. Yorktown; 9. Seymour; 10. Castle; 11. Michigan City; 12. Northridge; 13. Jeffersonville; 14. Westfield; 15. Terre Haute South; 16. Brownsburg; 17. Delphi; 18. Floyd Central; 20. Guerin Catholic.
GIRLS: 1. Carmel; 2. Hamilton Southeastern; 3. Noblesville; 4. Center Grove; 5. Chesterton; 6. Fishers; 7. Homestead; 8. Zionsville; 9. Fort Wayne Snider; 9. Munster; 11. Munster; 12. Columbus North; 13. Penn; 14. McCutcheon; 15. Wawasee; 16. Indianapolis North Central; 17. Lawrence North; 18. Plymouth; 19. De Kalb; 20. Portage.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6:15 p.m.
FOOTBALL: Class A Regional, Southern Wells at Knightstown, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14
GIRLS SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Ballinger receives league honor
Adam Ballinger, who graduated from Bluffton and Michigan State, has become the second Adelaide 36ers’ player in as many weeks to be named the Australian National Basketball League’s Player of the Week.
Ballinger follows in the footsteps of Sixers teammate John Gilchrist, who was recently named the winner for Round Six.
Ballinger scored 36 points and added 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block to carry the 36ers to a thrilling 80-77 victory over the Gold Coast Blaze on Saturday night. His scoring performance was the second-highest individual tally for the season, behind only Corey Williams’ 37 on Oct. 16 for Townsville.
Ballinger went 15 of 24 from the field, including a perfect 6 of 6 from the three-point line, as he racked up 21 points by halftime. He also scored nine of his team’s 18 final-quarter points as the 36ers fought back from an eight-point deficit.

Kenline takes OVC weekly award
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Tech senior libero Katie Kenline received her second Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor on Monday.
Kenline, a marketing major from Norwell High School, led all players in digs in both of the Golden Eagle matches last weekend. She had 19 digs in three sets (6.33 digs/set) against Tennessee State and 30 digs in four sets (7.50 digs/set) against Austin Peay. Kenline extended her streak with 10-or-more digs to 23 matches, and she did not commit a reception error in 52 attempts.
Kenline and the Golden Eagles split its two matches last weekend, winning against Tennessee State before dropping a close, four-set match against Austin Peay on Saturday.
Kenline is the first Golden Eagle to surpass 2,000 career digs and is now just 67 saves away from becoming the all-time OVC leader in digs. Kenline has amassed 2,388 digs so far in her career.
Kenline leads the team this season with 503 digs and a 5.03 digs per set average. She has posted double-digit digs in 24 of 25 matches.

Sign up for Rainbow Lake 5K
Entries are being taken for the second Rainbow Lake 5K at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, in Geneva. The race begins at the Gene Stratton Porter Limberlost Cabin and circles around Rainbow Lake.
Cost is $12 with a shirt before Nov. 18, $15 after Nov. 18, or $8 with no shirt. Post-race amenities are being handled by South Adams Trails. Entry forms are available on the Fort Wayne Track Club Web site race calendar (fwtc.org) and at several locations around the area. For further details or registration information, contact Clint Anderson at 260-589-2101.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three runners in six different age groups. A $100 first-place prize will be presented to the top male and female finishers and a $100 bonus go to the winner of the male or female who breaks the course record.

Time changes for Bluffton schedule
According to Bluffton Athletic Director Steve Thompson, the starting times for girls’ junior varsity games have been changed for the Manchester and Jay County. At Manchester on Friday, tipoff is 6:15 p.m, while at Jay County it is 6:30 p.m.

Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund helps feed the hungry

Indiana DNR Release:

Sportsmen, women and concerned citizens can help feed the hungry through the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund by purchasing the fund's lapel pins.

The pins are available from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division at a cost of $5 each. Proceeds go to organizations such as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, helping pay for the processing of deer donated to the program by successful hunters. The venison is given to various food banks across Indiana.

In 2008, more than 75,000 pounds of donated meat to FHFH was processed into 300,216 meals.

To order a 2009 SBF lapel pin, visit sbf.IN.gov.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6 p.m.
FOOTBALL: Class A Regional, Southern Wells at Knightstown, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14
GIRLS SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Blackford, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6 p.m.
FOOTBALL: Class A Regional, Southern Wells at Knightstown, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14
GIRLS SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

SW selling regional tickets (BUY THEM!!)

So. Wells selling regional tickets; directions to Knightstown
Southern Wells’ athletic department will be selling tickets for the Raiders’ Class A regional football game against the Knightstown Panthers on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will be on sale from 8 a.m. Wednesday through noon Friday. Cost is $6.
Directions to the Knightstown football field are as follows: Take I-69 south to Anderson, take Ind. 109 south, turn left off 109, go six or seven blocks on Morgan St., turn left on to Adams St., continue to where it says do not enter, the lights of the parking lot and field will be visible. The estimated travel time is one hour, 45 minutes.

Natural Resources Commission meeting, Nov. 17

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet at Fort Harrison State Park, at The Garrison, Nov. 17. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. (EDT). NRC meetings are open to the public.

Some of the topics to be under consideration include:

- Approval of a new non-rule policy document that provides a list of public freshwater lakes in northern Indiana; Administrative Cause No. 08-059W

- Preliminary adoption of amendments to 312 IAC 9 governing the hunting of ruffed grouse and wild turkey; Administrative Cause No. 09-165D

- A recommendation from a DNR Committee formed to consider citizen petitions regarding chasing and hunting of coyotes and foxes with dogs; Administrative Cause Nos. 09-069D, 09-073D, and 09-074D

- Preliminary adoption of amendments to 312 IAC 2-4 governing fishing tournaments and other organized activities on public waters; Administrative Cause No. 08-186P

- Preliminary adoption of proposed new rule section to regulate the placement of fish attractors on waterways within DNR properties; Administrative Cause No. 08-095P

- Preliminary adoption of rules governing procedures for obtaining approval of a project funded in whole or in part by the State that would alter, demolish, or remove a historic site or historic structure owned by the State or a historic site or historic structure that is listed on the National Register or Indiana register; Administrative Cause No. 08-096H

- Consideration for the negotiation of a ground lease for a marina and boat rental operation at the Cutright State Recreation Area, Monroe Lake, with Pleasure Craft Marina

The NRC is an autonomous board that addresses issues pertaining to the DNR. The 12-member board includes seven citizens chosen on a bipartisan basis, three ex officio members from state agencies, and one representative of the Indiana Academy of Science. The Commission meets at least four times annually.

The Garrison is located at 6002 North Post Road, Indianapolis. The complete meeting agenda is available at http://www.in.gov/nrc/.

Hunting safely is no accident

Indiana DNR Release:

With Indiana's deer firearms season opening Saturday, the state's conservation officers remind hunters of these safety tips to prevent hunting accidents.

- Treat every firearm with the same respect due a loaded firearm.

- Control the direction of your firearm’s muzzle. Carry your firearm safely, keeping the safety on until ready to shoot. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

- Identify your target and what’s beyond it. Know the identifying features of the game you hunt.

- Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have only ammunition of the proper size for the firearms you are carrying.

- Unload firearms when not in use. Leave the actions open. Firearms should be carried unloaded when traveling to and from shooting areas.

- Never point a firearm at anything you do not want to shoot. Avoid all horseplay with a firearm.

- Never climb a fence or tree, or jump a ditch or log with a loaded firearm. Never pull a firearm toward you by the muzzle.

- Never shoot a bullet at a flat, hard surface or water. During target practice, be sure your backstop is adequate.

- Store firearms and ammunition separately, beyond the reach of children and careless adults.

- Avoid alcoholic beverages or other mood-altering drugs before and while hunting or shooting.

These tips form a basic foundation for good firearms safety. Following them significantly increases the chances for an accident-free hunt.

In addition, to following the tips about firearms, hunters using elevated tree stands or platforms should use a full-body safety harness to protect themselves in case of a fall. Falling from an elevated stand or platform is the most common hunting accident in Indiana.

During the 2008 hunting season, 24 hunting accidents were reported to conservation officers. Falls from tree stands led to 15 injuries, resulting in two deaths.

For information about taking a Hunter Safety Course go to dnrlaw@dnr.IN.gov

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, Nov. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Blackford, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Bluffton at Manchester, 6 p.m.
FOOTBALL: Class A Regional, Southern Wells at Knightstown, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14
GIRLS SWIMMING: Bluffton at Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL: Eastbrook at Southern Wells, 6 p.m.; FW Bishop Dwenger at Norwell, 6:15 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

4 Otters record first-place finishes
Logan Brink, Skyler Ruschhaupt, Dan Scher and Duke Wang of the Huntington-Wells Otters swim team came away with one first-place finish each in the Fort Wayne Aquatics Fall Classic on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 at the Helen P. Brown Natatorium in Fort Wayne.
Brink won the girls’ 15-and-over age group 200-yard individual medley in 54.95 seconds. Ruschhaupt won the boy’s 15-over age group 100-yard breaststroke in 1:01.69.
Scher won the boys’ 15-and-over 50-yard freestyle in 22.45 seconds and Wang won the 11-12 boys’ 200-yard IM in 2:31.29.
Wang also had one second-place finish and six third-place finishes. Brink also recorded a second-place finish. Ruschhaupt also had two seconds. Dani Thomas had two thirds and two fourths. Kate Mahnensmith had a third, two fourths and one fifth. Joe Alleman had a second and Logan Ackley had a fourth.

Top W.O.O.F. finishers reported
Thomas Crum, 22, of Fort Wayne won the W.O.O.F. 15-mile run Saturday at Ouabache State Park, sponsored by the Ouabache River Runners.
Crum finished the race in one hour, 44 minutes and 14.4 seconds. Rustin Nyce, 30, of Goshen, was second in 1:48:22.6. Bluffton’s Bernie Zoll was third in 1:50:50.1.
Eliza Eshelman, 24, of Columbia City, was the first female finisher, placing 9th overall in 2:10:42.3. Bluffton’s Angie Lockwood was 11th overall in 2:13:14.0.
In the men’s 15-mile relay event, the team of Todd Yoder (Berne), Ryan Fiechter (Bluffton) and Brian Myers (Decatur) was first in 2:10:35.1.
In the mixed team relay, the Fort Wayne trio of Ed Fisk, Jeff Steinberg and Katherine Welch was first in 1:55:33.8.

More Southern Wells Sectional 35 Championship video

Congratulations to the Southern Wells Raiders and Coach Mark Lefebvre for their stunning performance during Friday's Sectional 35 Championship win...

Raiders Sectional 35 Champions!

Southern Wells Raiders became Sectional 35 Champions Friday night following their defeat of Southwood, 17 to 3.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Runners invited to W.O.O.F trail race
The Ouabache River Runners will be hosting their second W.O.O.F. trail race at Ouabache State Park on Nov. 7. Race starts at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. There is a five-mile race, a 15-mile race and a relay consisting of three team members running five miles each. Online registration continues this week on runrace.net and there is also race-day registration. Post-race food includes bison burgers, vegetable soup and a variety of other goodies. For more information, contact Mac McAvoy at 450-1071 or at macmcavoy@gmail.com

Bring food bank donations
Bluffton High School will charge a $3 admission to Saturday afternoon’s girls’ basketball scrimmage against Union City. Fans also may gain admittance at no charge by donating personal items, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant to the Wells County Food Bank. The scrimmage begins at 2 p.m.

17 state parks to close for deer reductions

Participants, "buddies" already randomly selected

Select Indiana state parks will be closed temporarily for controlled deer reductions in the coming weeks.

Two reduction efforts will take place. The first are Nov. 16 and 17. The second round is Nov. 30 and Dec.1. The participating parks will close to the general public the evening before each of the two efforts and will re-open the morning after each two-day reduction ends.

Indiana DNR biologists evaluate which parks require a reduction each year based on vegetative recovery and previous hunter success at each park.

State parks are home to more than 32 state-endangered plants, and the reductions help maintain browsing by deer to a level that helps ecosystems and associated vegetation recover throughout the state parks. Although the parks have had much success since the first reduction in 1993, a high no-show rate of those drawn and over selective hunting remain a challenge for the program.

State parks participating with a reduction using firearms include Chain O’Lakes, Charlestown, Harmonie, Lincoln, Ouabache, Pokagon, Potato Creek, Prophetstown, Shades, Shakamak, Spring Mill, Tippecanoe River, Turkey Run, Versailles and Whitewater Memorial.

State parks using archery for reduction include Fort Harrison and Clifty Falls.

Participation is limited to individuals on applications that were drawn last September. No standby drawings will be conducted, nor will substitutes or additions be permitted.

Participants must show photo ID upon check-in. No information packets were mailed to drawn participants this year but are instead available online at http://www.IN.gov/dnr/parklake/5655.htm, where applicants can check or review their draw status, permitted buddies, and details about the hunts. Information regarding 2010 state park deer reductions will be available in the 2010-2011 Indiana Hunting and Trapping Guide next summer.

Hall of Fame to induct four Foresters

Brodie Garber, Doug Neuenschwander, Erin (Abbey) Pinegar and Jennifer (Keil) Warner will be inducted into the Huntington University Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 14, 2009. The ceremonies will take place at halftime of the championship basketball game of the Huntington University/Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic.  Game time is set for 3 p.m.
The Hall of Fame Classic tournament will begin Friday, November 13, at 6 p.m., with Lindenwood University (MO) playing William Penn University (IA). The night cap at 8 p.m. will showcase the Huntington University Foresters versus Trinity International University (IL). The consolation game will be played on Saturday at 1 p.m., with the championship game to follow. For more information on the Classic, contact the Huntington University Athletics Office at (260) 359-4212. Individual tickets may be purchased at the gate on game day at $10 for two days or $6 for one day.
Brodie Garber is being honored for his significant contributions to the Huntington University men’s basketball program during the years of 1995-1997, 1998-2000.

Garber finished his career as the 11th all-time scorer in HU history with 1,766 points. He was a four-time MCC All-Conference selection. His efforts on the court helped lead Huntington to the Final Four of 2000 NAIA National Tournament. Over his four year career the Foresters compiled a 94-38 record.

Doug Neuenschwander is being honored for his significant contributions to the Huntington University baseball programs during the years of 1973-1977.

Neuenschwander was the 1976 HU batting champion with a .347 batter average. In his 147 plate appearances that year he had zero strikeouts. He was a four-time MCC All-Conference selection. He also earned NAIA All-District/Regional honors each year. He signed as a free agent in 1977 with the Cincinnati Reds and played Class AAA ball in his fifth and final year in the Reds program.

Erin (Abbey) Pinegar is being honored for her significant contributions to the Huntington University women’s soccer (2000-2002) and track and field (2001-2003).

Pinegar graduated as the all-time leading scorer of the HU women’s soccer program. She still holds the HU women’s soccer record for most goals scored in a game with five. As a track and field athlete, she was the 2002 and 2003 MCC champion in long jump and the 400 meter hurdles. She also added the 400 meter championship as a senior. In 2002 she earned NAIA All-American honors in the 4x800 meter relay. She currently holds the HU record for 4x800 meter relay and indoor long jump and finished her career with four NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors among her list of accolades. 

Jennifer (Keil) Warner is being honored for her significant contributions to the Huntington University track and field programs during the years of 1994-1998.

Warner was a seven-time NAIA Track National Championship qualifier. As a junior she was an NAIA All-American in the 600 meter. She currently holds HU records in the 400 meter, 4x200 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. Her efforts on the track earned her MCC All-Conference honors each year. She was also recognized as the 1998 Women’s Athlete of the Year at the Little State Championships.

The Huntington University Foresters compete in 14 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past eleven years, Huntington has produced 64 NAIA All-America honors and 158 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.

Dispose of deer carcasses properly

Indiana DNR Release:

With deer firearms season starting Nov. 14, hunters, if they are successful, need to be aware of the proper way to dispose of deer carcasses once the meat has been removed.

"A hunter's responsibility, both ethically and legally, doesn't end until the carcass is disposed of properly," said Lt. Mark Farmer, public information officer for the DNR Division of Law Enforcement.

Professional meat processors have legal means of disposing of carcasses. Successful hunters who do not use professional processors have a few different options for proper carcass disposal, according to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH).

One is to check to see if a local processor will dispose of the carcass. If so, there will likely be a charge for pickup. The hunter cannot take the carcass into the processing facility.

Another option is to contact a renderer to ask about pickup/drop off. BOAH's list of renderer contact information is at http://www.in.gov/boah/2368.htm.

Landfills meet BOAH's standard, but hunters should check with the landfill first to see if it accepts carcasses and if it has bagging requirements.

Indiana conservation officers will be stepping up enforcement of illegal dumping laws using electronic monitoring equipment.

If you wish to report the illegal dumping of deer carcasses or any environmental or fish and wildlife violation, call the Turn in a Poacher or Polluter Hotline at 1-800-TIP-IDNR or register a complaint online at tip.IN.gov

Indiana hunters to take aim at healthy deer population

Indiana DNR Release:

Indiana’s annual firearms season for white-tailed deer opens Nov. 14. During the 16-day season, which ends Nov. 29, hunters are expected to kill an estimated 86,000 deer.

“In 2008, hunters killed 86,454 deer during firearms season. I expect the numbers from 2009 to reflect a similar total,” said Chad Stewart, Indiana DNR deer biologist.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Indiana DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife white-tailed deer reintroduction project. The opportunity to hunt white-tailed deer in Indiana represents a major success in wildlife restoration.

Indiana’s '08 antlered deer harvest (50,845) was a 3 percent increase over 49,375 harvested in '07. The antlerless harvest of ’08 (78,903) also increased over the 76,052 in '07.

Deer hunters harvested 129,748 Indiana deer during the '08 season, over 5,000 more than the 124,427 deer harvested during the '07 season. Although the overall deer harvest for the last three years has averaged around 126,500, Stewart said, “2009 may mark the first year hunters kill more than 130,000 deer in Indiana. It’s only 252 more deer than last season.”

The combined '08 archery seasons yielded 26,921 deer. Muzzleloader rifle season hunters killed 15,154 deer. Firearms hunters killed 86,454 deer, 66.6 percent of the entire '08 harvest.

Hunters killed 17,418 deer on opening day of firearms season in ’08 and 13,746 on the second day. Opening weekend accounted for 36 percent of the total deer killed during firearms season. According to DNR wildlife chief, Wayne Bivans, this year’s opening weekend should be just as successful.

“Indiana’s deer haven’t experienced any serious threats this year. The weather has been fine, and we haven’t seen much disease. The overall deer population is healthy and thriving. I believe there is every reason to expect hunters to experience a successful opening weekend,” Bivans said.

The number of deer harvested in individual counties last year ranged from a low of 130 deer in Tipton County to 3,672 deer in Steuben County. Harvest exceeded 1,000 deer in 61 counties; exceeded 2,000 deer in 16 of those counties; and exceeded 3,000 deer in four of those counties.

DNR to collect deer heads for bovine TB testing

Indiana DNR Release:



State biologists plan to collect 650 deer heads from cooperating hunters during the opening weekend of the firearms season on Nov. 14 and 15 in order to test for the presence of bovine tuberculosis.

“This effort should go a long way in helping us find out if the disease has jumped the fence,” DNR deer management biologist Chad Stewart said. “Thankfully, we have not seen signs of the disease in our wild deer, and we hope that we don’t find it. This testing effort is a critical next step.”

Collection sites will be at the following deer check stations:

– Fayette County: Mustins Taxidermy, 1660 W. Fayette County Road 350 S, Connersville
– Franklin County: 52 Pik Up, 11183 U.S. 52, Brookville
– Franklin County: Lakeside Sunoco, 9193 Indiana 101, Brookville
– Harrison County: Gun World, 1548 Indiana 62 NW, Corydon
– Wayne County: Mendenhall True Value, 125 S W 5th St., Richmond

The biologists will be looking for heads from yearling and older deer. The target is 300 samples from both Franklin and Harrison counties, and 50 from Wayne County.

Hunters are not required to participate, but anyone hunting in those counties is encouraged to cooperate in order to ensure a comprehensive surveillance effort. Those who submit heads will be able to remove antlers from the sample.

Bovine TB is a chronic bacterial disease that affects primarily cattle, but can be transmitted by any warm-blooded animal. TB is difficult to diagnose through clinical signs alone.

The DNR has worked closely with the State Board of Animal Health and the U.S. Department of Agriculture on bovine TB surveillance ever since the disease was discovered in May at a captive cervid (deer and elk) facility in Franklin County. Two other captive cervid facilities–one in Harrison County and one in Wayne County–purchased animals from the Franklin County site that later tested positive for bovine TB.

All three facilities were quarantined by BOAH and have since been depopulated of all captive cervids.

The DNR contributed to the testing efforts by culling 30 wild white-tailed deer in the vicinity of the Franklin County cervid facility. Tissue samples from those 30 deer were culture tested at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, and came back negative for bovine TB.

Deer heads collected at the five check stations will be tagged for tracking purposes, bagged and shipped to Crosley Fish and Wildlife Area, where BOAH and USDA staff will remove several sets of lymph nodes. Some tissue samples will be sent to NVSL for bovine TB testing and others will go to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University to augment the state’s ongoing testing for chronic wasting disease.

The DNR received a $100,000 federal grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to fund the bovine TB testing.

Here's a TIP: Fight poaching by using hotline

Indiana DNR Release:

While poachers don't wait for legal hunting times, hunting season increases the likelihood that licensed, ethical hunters will encounter poaching, which is the illegal taking of fish, game or non-game wildlife.

When that happens, DNR Law Enforcement urges hunters to use the TIP hotline to file a complaint. TIP is an acronym for Turn in a Poacher. Firearms season for deer runs Nov. 14-29.

A typical poaching situation occurs when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand, waiting for sunrise (the legal time to shoot), and notices a spotlight shining the field from a pickup truck. The truck stop and shots ring out through the darkness.

"True sportsmen have an ethical responsibility to report this violation," said Lt. Mark Farmer, public information officer for DNR Division of Law Enforcement. "It is not fair to the honest hunter that a poacher can get away with this illegal method of hunting.

"Poachers are thieves and estimates indicate that poachers kill as much fish and game as legal hunters and fishermen do."

Farmer emphasized that anyone can use the TIP hotline but hunters may be more likely to witness violations.

The TIP program is a joint effort of sportsmen and women, private citizens, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to help eliminate the illegal taking of Indiana’s fish and wildlife. Cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife law violators.

Neither videotapes nor signed confessions are required for successful prosecution of poachers. Citizens who provide TIP with information are not required to give their names or testify in court. This information is investigated by Indiana Conservation Officers.

The toll-free TIP phone number is 1-800-TIP-IDNR (1-800-847-4367). Complaints also may be filed at tip.IN.gov.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 6
FOOTBALL: Class A Sectional 35, Southern Wells (9-2) at Southwood (6-5), championship game, kickoff time, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Fiechter receives top Norwell awards
Norwell senior Klay Fiechter received two top awards at the Knights’ football banquet Tuesday night.
Fiechter was voted as the 2009 Player of the Year and the Offensive Back of the Year after rushing for over 2,000 yards in a single season and rewriting most of the rushing records.
Junior middle linebacker Alex Eichler was named Defensive Player of the Year. Senior Jake Shapley was the Lineman of the Year.
Sophomore Kyler Mills was named the Scout Team Player of the Year.

Norwell girls’ hoopsters to scrimmage
The Norwell Knights girls’ basketball team will be scrimmaging against the Elmhurst Trojans at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Fort Wayne. Entry fee is $1 or two canned food items. All proceeds will benefit the food drive.

Runners invited to W.O.O.F trail race
The Ouabache River Runners will be hosting their second W.O.O.F. trail race at Ouabache State Park on Nov. 7. Race starts at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. There is a five-mile race, a 15-mile race and a relay consisting of three team members running five miles each. Online registration continues this week on runrace.net and there is also race-day registration. Post-race food includes bison burgers, vegetable soup and a variety of other goodies. For more information, contact Mac McAvoy at 450-1071 or at macmcavoy@gmail.com

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 6
FOOTBALL: Class A Sectional 35, Southern Wells (9-2) at Southwood (6-5), championship game, kickoff time, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell girls’ hoopsters to scrimmage
The Norwell Knights girls’ basketball team will be scrimmaging against the Elmhurst Trojans at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Fort Wayne. Entry fee is $1 or two canned food items. All proceeds will benefit the food drive.

Runners invited to W.O.O.F trail race
The Ouabache River Runners will be hosting its second W.O.O.F. trail race at Ouabache State Park on Nov. 7. Race starts at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. There is a five-mile race, a 15-mile race and a relay consisting of three team members running five miles each. Online registration continues this week on runrace.net and there is also race-day registration. Post-race food includes bison burgers, vegetable soup and a variety of other goodies. For more information, contact Mac McAvoy at 450-1071 or at macmcavoy@gmail.com

Sign up for Rainbow Lake 5K
Entries are being taken for the second Rainbow Lake 5K at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, in Geneva. The race begins at the Gene Stratton Porter Limberlost Cabin and circles around Rainbow Lake.
Cost is $12 with a shirt before Nov. 18, $15 after Nov. 18, or $8 with no shirt. Post-race amenities are being handled by South Adams Trails. Entry forms are available on the Fort Wayne Track Club Web site race calendar (fwtc.org) and at several locations around the area. For further details or registration information, contact Clint Anderson at 260-589-2101.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three runners in six different age groups. A $100 first-place prize will be presented to the top male and female finishers and a $100 bonus go to the winner of the male or female who breaks the course record.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 6
FOOTBALL: Class A Sectional 35, Southern Wells (9-2) at Southwood (6-5), championship game, tentative kickoff time, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell girls’ hoopsters to scrimmage
The Norwell Knights girls’ basketball team will be scrimmaging against the Elmhurst Trojans at 6 p.m. on Thursday at Fort Wayne. Entry fee is $1 or two canned food items. All proceeds will benefit the food drive.

Girls’ swimming poll released
The Indiana High School Swimming Coaches Association girls’ preseason Top 20 poll is as follows:
1. Carmel; 2. Hamilton Southeastern; 3. Noblesville; 4. Center Grove; 5. Chesterton; 6. Fishers; 7. Homestead; 8. Zionsville; 9. Fort Wayne Snider; 9. Munster; 11. Westfield; 12. Columbus North; 13. Penn; 14. McCutcheon; 15. Wawasee; 16. Indianapolis North Central; 17. Lawrence North; 18. Plymouth; 19. De Kalb; 20. Portage.

Runners invited to W.O.O.F trail race
The Ouabache River Runners will be hosting its second W.O.O.F. trail race at Ouabache State Park on Nov. 7. Race starts at 10 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. There is a five-mile race, a 15-mile race and a relay consisting of three team members running five miles each. Online registration continues this week on runrace.net and there is also race-day registration. Post-race food includes bison burgers, vegetable soup and a variety of other goodies. For more information, contact Mac McAvoy at 450-1071 or at macmcavoy@gmail.com

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, Nov. 6
FOOTBALL: Class A Sectional 35, Southern Wells (9-2) at Southwood (6-5), championship game, tentative kickoff time, 7 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Southwood advances to state
Southwood captured the Bluffton Class 2A IHSAA volleyball championship Saturday night by defeating Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 25-13, 25-18, 25-16 at the Tiger Den.
Southwood (32-5) now will play Fairfield (31-4) at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the semifinals of the IHSAA state tournament at Delta. The winner will face either Muncie Burris (38-0) or Brownstown Central (29-4), which face off in the other Class 2A state semifinal match. The championship match will be played at Ball State’s Worthen Arena at 4:15 p.m.
Southwood disposed of Madison-Grant (28-8) in the first regional match 25-9, 25-16, 25-19. Bishop Luers (27-12) eliminated Delphi (20-12) in the second match 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-11.

WACHE Warriors post win
The Wells Association of Christian Home Educators (WACHE) Warriors boys’ basketball team defeated Fort Wayne South Home School 53-39 on Saturday.
Jordan Arnold led the Eagles with 24 points and Jade Cale netted 10 points. Cale also had 12 rebounds and Arnold 11.

New Outdoor Indiana magazine features calendar

Indiana DNR Release:

Although it's still early to be thinking 2010, Outdoor Indiana magazine's full-color calendar, which is a 16-page insert to the November-December issue that's on newsstands this week, is ready when you are.

The annual collector's item features exclusive photos of the best of Indiana, including shots of Parke County, Mounds State Park, Beck's Mill near Salem, Johnson County, Warren County, Prophetstown State Park and Tippecanoe River State Park.

The calendar will help readers plan an outing to ski or snowboard Indiana, as detailed in the cover story about Paoli Peaks in Paoli, and Lawrenceburg's Perfect North Slopes.

The issue is the last of the 75th anniversary year for DNR's 48-page full-color magazine. Subscriptions are $12 for a year (six issues) or $20 for two years. You also can ask for Outdoor Indiana at most Borders and Barnes and Noble stores in the state, and at DNR properties. Single copies sell for $3. To subscribe, or for more information, call (317) 233-3046 or go to OutdoorIndiana.org. Gift subscriptions are available. If those on your list love the outdoors, they'll love Outdoor Indiana.

To join the Outdoor Indiana page on Facebook, see http://www.facebook.com/pages/Outdoor-Indiana/72275174323.

Baiting deer is still illegal

Indiana DNR Release:

With deer firearm hunting season just around the corner (Nov. 14-29), the DNR Division of Law Enforcement's conservation officers remind hunters that they will be watching for violators of the fair chase law, specifically as it applies to baiting.

Despite heavy commercial promotion on some hunting television shows, extensive sales of such products at some sporting goods stores, and evidence of the use of some of these products on some DNR properties, baiting for the purposes of hunting deer remains illegal. "Bait" is best described as anything a deer (or other wildlife) might ingest or lick.

"It has been a long standing practice for our officers to enforce the hunting over bait rule," said Lt. Mark Farmer, public information officer for DNR Law Enforcement. "Gaining an advantage over your quarry by the use of a food or mineral product is illegal.

"The definition of hunting over bait is, if a hunter could take an animal while visiting the bait site, with the firearm or archery equipment that the hunter is hunting with at the time, it would be considered hunting over bait.”

It is legal to place food products or mineral blocks in the wild, but hunting near them is illegal.

"If a person had put out a feeder or other bait during the summer months to attract wildlife to his property, it must be totally removed 10 days prior to the opening of the hunting season before a hunter could legally hunt in that area," Farmer said.

Odor differs from bait. Deer lures in the form of scents are legal to use when hunting.

"Basically, if you place corn, apples, salt or mineral blocks or anything that isn't grown in the area and hunt there, it's illegal," Farmer said. "Hunting from an apple tree is legal, but placing apples under your tree stand would place you in conflict with current Indiana Law."

Violators apprehended while hunting over bait will face a Class C Misdemeanor charge, and upon conviction could face criminal penalties of up to $500 fine, 60 days incarceration and possible loss of hunting equipment upon conviction.