State Parks and Reservoirs campgrounds at capacity for weekend

Indiana DNR Release:

All reservable campgrounds at Indiana’s State Parks and Reservoirs are booked for Memorial Day weekend for the first time since the statewide reservation system became computerized in late 2002.

“In previous years we've always had a few sites available at some of our newer properties, and a few primitive sites scattered across the state, but this year we are 99 percent full, and the 1 percent is a picnic shelter here or there that isn't booked. Everything else will be occupied this weekend,” said Christie Wilmoth, reservation system program manager with the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs.

Don't miss out on a July 4 camping weekend. Cabins and campsites are still available, but will go quickly. Many weekends in between also have openings. Visit www.camp.IN.gov or call 1-866-6CAMPIN (1-866-622-6746) to reserve your favorite cabin, shelter or campsite.

If you want to camp but you’re not sure where to go, find property maps and facility information at www.stateparks.IN.gov.

DNR seeks public input on statewide forestry strategy draft

Indiana DNR Release:

A draft of a proposed five-year statewide forest strategy that seeks to enhance the ability of Indiana public, private and urban forests’ ability to conserve soil and water resources has been released for public comment and review.

The document is available for download: http://www.in.gov/dnr/forestry/5436.htm. Public review and comment will be accepted until June 11, at 6 p.m. Comments should be e-mailed to the DNR Division of Forestry at: stateassessment@dnr.in.gov.

The following main proposed strategies were developed from extensive stakeholder coordination and involvement:

– Conserve, manage and protect existing forests, especially large forest patches
– Restore and connect forests, especially in riparian areas
– Expand Best Management Practices with special attention to invasive plant species
–Coordinate education, training, and technical assistance, especially develop strategic
partnerships with land use decision makers
–Maintain and expand markets for Indiana hardwoods, especially sustainably certified and
local use.

The document is the culmination of a year-long process that included an assessment of Indiana's forest resources, which is described in the website listed earlier.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell golfers shoot down Tigers
The Norwell Knights defeated Wells County rival Bluffton in boys’ golf on Thursday at Timber Ridge Golf Course.
Norwell, currently ranked 6th in the state coaches’ poll, finished with a four-man team score of 157. Bluffton ended with a 198.
Norwell junior McCormick Clouser took the medalist honors with a nine-hole score of 38. Taylor Imel shot a 39, while Nick Imel and Tanner Mathews each shot a 40 to round out the team scoring. Ked Milholland finished with a 42 and Isaac Tomac shot a 46. Norwell junior Ross Mathews sat out his second straight match with an injured hand.
Bluffton was led by Tyler Mohler’s 43. Andrew Wilson shot a 48. Spencer Barnell added a 52, while Sean Ashman and Carson Addington each shot a 55. Ian Betz ended play with a 59.

Next match set for Kara Fiechter
Bluffton junior tennis player Kara Fiechter will play her next match in the IHSAA State Singles Tournament on Saturday, June 5, at Kokomo at 10 a.m. Fiechter (16-5) would play again at 2 p.m. if she wins the morning match.

Klayton Reed qualifies for NCAA meet
Carthage College sophomore Klayton Reed, who is a member of the Red Men’s track and field team, qualified with the men’s 1600-meter relay team to compete in the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship May 27-29 at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. The 4x400 relay team was ranked 14th at 3:14.98. Reed is a Norwell graduate.

Alyssa Tucker makes NHC team
Norwell senior Alyssa Tucker, a member of the Knights’ tennis team, recently was named to the Northeast Hoosier Conference girls’ singles second team.

Lady Knight Basketball Camp slated
The Norwell Girls’ Basketball camp will be held June 7-10 in the Norwell auxiliary gym. Girls entering grades 1-4 will meet from 9:30-10:45 a.m. and grades 5-8 will meet from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Cost is $35 per camper or $30 per camper for two or more girls from the same family. E-mail coach Eric Thornton at eric.thornton@nwcs.k12.in.us for more information.

Girls’ tennis camp slated at Norwell
The Norwell Girls’ Tennis Camp will be offered each morning June 14-18 for Northern Wells students entering grades 5-9 in 2010-11. Cost is $25, which includes instruction and camp T-shirt. Terri Worden, the Norwell girls’ tennis coach, will conduct the camp. Application forms are available at Lancaster and Ossian elementary schools, Norwell Middle School and in the Norwell High School athletic office. For information, call 260-543-2213, ext. 7110 or 260-597-7321.

Sign up for summer tennis league
A summer tennis league for boys and girls in grades 7-12 will begin June 2 at 6 p.m. at Norwell High School. Cost is $30. Matches will be played Monday and Wednesday evenings. A postseason singles and doubles tournament is included. An informational meeting is scheduled for June 2 at 6 p.m. Registration forms are available by calling Joel Fillman at 260-758-2722 or by e-mail at jafillman@verizon.net

Junior Golf League at Timber Ridge
Timber Ridge Golf Course will be sponsoring a Junior Golf League for children ages 6-18 every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday through June 24. For more information or to sign up, call the pro shop at 824-2728 or call Jody Ault at 824-3181 or stop in the pro shop. Schedules are available.

Les Gerber Insurance posts win
Les Gerber Insurance beat National Oil 20-8 in Wells County Girls’ Softball Senior League action on Wednesday. Meghan Yencer tripled and Allissia Baublet singled twice. Kaitlyn Lovell was the winning pitcher with six strikeouts.

State Farm flattens Pizza Hut
State Farm Insurance rolled over Pizza Hut 11-2 in Bluffton Junior League baseball. Noah Antrim was the winning pitcher and Bubba Applegate took the loss. Antrim struck out 11 batters over four innings. Antrim also hit a three-run home run and two singles. JayR Kobryn hit a solo homer and two singles. Trey Collins added two hits. In the fifth inning, Applegate singled and scored, while Matthew Stotler plated the other run for Pizza Hut.

First Bank of Berne tallies victory
First Bank of Berne topped National City 16-6 on Monday in Bluffton Junior League baseball. Hunter Schreiber homered for First Bank of Berne. Jacob Studabaker doubled twice and singled. Grant Harris and Kenny Patterson each singled twice and doubled. Tanner Thompson was the winning pitcher. Ben Caylor suffered the loss. Jacob Heron and Caylor each doubled for National City. Jason King and Guy Smuts each added two singles.

First Bank of Berne bests AdamsWells
First Bank of Berne outscored AdamsWells Internet 12-8 on Tuesday in Junior League baseball at Bluffton. Garrett Walborn was the winning pitcher and also doubled and singled twice. Hunter Schreiber added two singles. Philip Pearson was the losing pitcher.

National Oil cruises past BRMC
National Oil recently defeated Bluffton Regional Medical Center 13-3 in Bluffton Farm League baseball action at Roush Park. Kyle Stacey was the winning pitcher and Riley Johnston took the loss. Dominick Jojola went 3 for 3 for National Oil and Matt Yonker went 3 for 3 with a double Konnor Normen, Jarod Cross and Cole Meeks each had a single.

High School Sports Calendar

Saturday, May 29
BOYS GOLF: Norwell at Muncie Central Invitational, 1 p.m.
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru Sectional, Norwell vs. FW Elmhurst, 1 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, Southern Wells vs. Daleville, 10 a.m., Liberty Christian vs. Cowan, 12:30 p.m.

Monday, May 31
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru, championship, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, Woodlan vs. Bishop Luers, 10 a.m., Adams Central vs. Bluffton 1 p.m.; championship, 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, championship, 5 p.m.

IHSAA boys' track and field

These three video clips come after Sean Cossairt, a senior at Norwell, finished second in the 800-meter run Thursday night in the IHSAA boys' track and field regional at Fort Wayne.
Cossairt is now qualified for the boys' state finals June 5 at indiana University in Bloomington.
This is his second time making the state meet.










Indiana High School Athletic Association
Boys' Track & Field Regional
At Fort Wayne
Wayne Stadium
TEAM SCORES: 1. Fort Wayne Snider 83; 2. Huntington North 62; 3. Homestead 59.14; 4. Fort Wayne Northrop 52; 5. Fort Wayne Wayne 31.14; 6. East Noble 29; 6. Harding 29; 8. Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger 27; 9. Marion 25; 10. Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran 24; 11. Carroll (Allen) 23; 12. Fort Wayne North Side 19.14; 13. Fort Wayne South Side 18; 14. Garrett 15; 15. Westview 14.14; 16. DeKalb 13; 17. Bellmont 10; 17. NORWELL 10; 19. Southwood 9; 19. Eastbrook 9; 21. New Haven 8; 22. Fremont 6; 22. Adams Central 6; 22. West Noble 6; 22. Fort Wayne Elmhurst 6; 26. Angola 5; 27. Columbia City 4; 27. South Adams 4; 27. Leo 4; 30. Churubusco 3.14; 31. Heritage 3; 32. Prairie Heights 2.14; 33. BLUFFTON 2; 33. Canterbury 2; 35. Whitko 1.14.
(Top three places and any individual or relay team meeting or surpassing the state standards in parentheses qualifies for state.)
3200 Meter Relay (7:57.68): 1. FW Snider (Christopher Christoff, Mitchell Dutton, Isaiah Ordaz, Ethan Wappes) 8:00.24; 2. FW Northrop 8:05.78; 3. FW North Side 8:11.74; 9. BLUFFTON (Tanner Coratti, Spencer Sumwalt, Nick Makowski, Nick Rhodes) 8:29.40; 12. NORWELL (Sean Cole, Brandon Long, Alex Schmidt, Kyle Isch) 8:40.11.
110 Meter High Hurdles (14.79): 1. Elbert Johnson (FWWAY) 14.45; 2. Bradford Firrie-Davis (FWNRP) 14.47; 3. Nathan Mueller (ENOB) 14.52; 4. Nicholas Lewis (FWSNI) 14.72; 5. Jesse Adams (LEO) 14.77; 7. Mark Bowman (BLUFFTON) 14.95.
100 Meter Dash (10.91): 1. Charles Tharp (FWNRP) 10.62 (Meet record, old record 10.70, Terry Milton, FW Elmhurst 1982, James Kelso, Elmhurst 1983, Kevin Craig, FW Wayne 1998); 2. Quinton Jones (HARD) 10.63; 3. Kendall Frederick (FWSNI) 10.73; 4. Jordan Gater (ENOB) 10.87; 5. Ray Humphrey (MAR) 10.88.
1600 Meter Run (4:23.03): 1. Josh Graham (HUNTN) 4:20.33; 2. Kodi Mullins (Hom) 4:24.04; 3. Austin Roberts (HUNTN) 4:25.47; 10. Alex Cushman (NORWELL) 4:39.49.
400 Meter Relay (42.59): 1. Harding (Trevon Carr, Demetrius Guy, DaVon Washington, Quinton Jones) 42.87; 2. New Haven 43.00; 3. FW Snider 43.14.
400 Meter Dash (49.01): 1. Austen Barnes (Hom) 48.94; 2. Erin Herd (FWNRP) 49.44; 3. Shauntis Lewis (FWSNI) 50.03.
300 Meter Intermediate Hurdles (39.23): 1. Logan Hoffman (FWCON) 38.04; 2. Cameron Crager (DEKB) 39.59; 3. Nathan Mueller (ENOB) 39.76; 15. Gage Minniear (SOUTHERN WELLS) 43.41.
800 Meter Run (1:55.99): 1. Mitchell Dutton (FWSNI) 1:57.19; 2. Sean Cossairt (Norwell) 1:58.87; 3. Jerry Schwartz (WVIEW) 1:59.53.
200 Meter Dash (22.19): 1. Kendall Frederick (FWSNI) 21.83; 2. Jordan Gater (ENOB) 22.13; 3. Ray Humphrey (MAR) 22.36.
3200 Meter Run (9:22.08): 1. James Martin (CARR) 9:20.22; 2. Andrew McLain (Hom) 9:21.18; 3. Ross Ochs (HUNTN) 9:24.15.
1600 Meter Relay (3:21.01): 1. FW Snider (David Coley, Kendall Frederick, Shauntis Lewis, Mitchell Dutton) 3:18.19; 2. FW Northrop 3:19.37; 3. Homestead 3:20.04.
Shot Put (54-8.25): 1. Travis Gerding (HUNTN) 54-5; Joel Beier (FWBDW) 51-1.25; 3. Alex Reinhard (ADAMC) 51-0.5.
Discus (159-1): 1. Geoff Getts (GARR) 161-9; 2. Travis Gerding (HUNTN) 159-0; 3. Jordan Beaver (HUNTN) 149-7; 11. Chase Harris (SOUTHERN WELLS) 137-10.
Long Jump (21-9): 1. Demarien Smith (FWWAY) 21-10; 2. Teolia Tillis (FWSNI) 21-7.5; 3. David Hayden (FWELM) 21-4.5; 15. Alec Betz (BLUFFTON) 18-5.
High Jump (6-5.5): 1. Travis Jauregui (BELL) 6-4.5; 2. Larry Chain (SWOOD) 6-4.5; 3. Marcus Nuby (FWSNI) 6-3.5; 15. Keith Cochran (BLUFFTON) 5-10.
Pole Vault (14-8): 1. Chase Payne (HOME) 15-2; 2. David Schipper (FWBDW) 14-11; 3. Charles Pobanz (FWCON) 14-8; 4. Owen Wagoner (CARR) 14-8 5. David Meza (HOME) 14-8; 7. Paul Grote (NORWELL) 13-8.

BHS baseball coach speaks

BHS baseball coach Todd Morgan spoke with News-Banner Asst. Editor Dave Schultz following the Tiger's Thursday night win. The team will face Adams Central on Monday, 1 p.m., Indiana Tech Field in Fort Wayne,

What to do if you find a baby or injured animal

Indiana DNR Release:



By “rescuing” an injured or apparently abandoned baby wild animal, you may doing the opposite of what you seek to accomplish, and break the law.

This time of year, thousands of animals are born in the wild. With the spread of suburban areas into their natural habitats, young animals are increasingly born near humans, who are more apt to discover them without an adult animal nearby. When this happens, a few reminders are especially pertinent.

While some baby animals may be orphaned or abandoned, that’s not always true.

Picking up a baby animal that is not orphaned or abandoned is not only usually unnecessary, it can be bad for the animal. It's also illegal if you don't have the proper permit or take the animal straight to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Such animals also pose safety and health risks for humans. They may look helpless, cute and cuddly, but they can bite or scratch people who attempt to handle them. Some wild animals carry parasites and infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans.

"The apparent lack of an adult does not mean a young animal is alone," said Linnea Petercheff, operations staff specialist for the DNR's Division of Fish and Wildlife. "Adults often leave their young alone, safe in nests or dens while they forage for food, but rarely do they abandon their young."

If a bird has fallen out of a nest, it is OK to gently return it to the nest. The best way to make sure an animal is truly orphaned is to wait and check it periodically. If you are unsure, place some strings or sticks across the nest. Place some grass across the top of a rabbit nest that is found with young in it.
If such items are later disturbed, the mother has probably returned. In such a situation, leave the young animal alone. The adult will return after you leave the area. As an example, rabbits often come to the nest to feed their young only a couple of times a day.

The best way to make sure that a fawn that appears to be alone is orphaned is to wait and check it periodically. Before taking any action, remember the following:

–If the fawn is not injured, the mother is likely nearby.
–Leave the fawn alone and its mother will probably come and get it. Deer can take better care of their young than a human can.
–Human scent on the fawn will not prevent the mother from taking care of it.
–If you do not see any deer nearby, have someone watch the fawn without being seen by the mother. In most cases, the mother will come back and get the fawn after you leave the area.

If you believe the mother has not returned to a nest or a deer has not come back to feed her fawn, or you know that the mother is no longer alive, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, listed at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5492.htm

Remember, state laws prohibit keeping protected wild animals without a permit. Most species of wildlife are protected by law and cannot be kept as a pet. Federal laws also prohibit possession of migratory birds, including songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. It is even illegal to treat wild animals for sickness or injury without a permit.

Wild animal rehabilitation permits are issued to qualified individuals who take in sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals with the intent of releasing them back into the wild.

If you encounter an injured, truly abandoned or sick wild animal, do one of the following for assistance:

–Check the DNR website, www.wildlife.in.gov and click on "Wildlife Rehabilitation"
–Call the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife in Indianapolis, (317) 232-4080.
–Call your DNR Law Enforcement district headquarters or regional headquarters; contact information is at: http://www.in.gov/dnr/lawenfor/2755.htm
–Call a licensed veterinarian for immediate assistance with a sick or severely injured wild animal.

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, May 27
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Regional at FW Wayne, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: Bluffton at Norwell, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, Peru vs. FW Wayne, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A Bluffton Sectional, championship, Bluffton vs. Woodlan, 5 p.m.
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru Sectional, Peru vs. FW Wayne, 5 p.m., Bellmont vs. Maconaquah, 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, Bluffton vs. South Adams, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, Wes-Del vs. Cowan, 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 29
BOYS GOLF: Norwell at Muncie Central Invitational, 1 p.m.
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru Sectional, Norwell vs. FW Elmhurst, 1 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, Woodlan vs. Bishop Luers, 11:30 a.m., Adams Central vs. Thursday’s winner, 2 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, Southern Wells vs. Daleville, 10 a.m., Liberty Christian vs. Thursday’s winner, 12:30 p.m.

Monday, May 31
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru, championship, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, championship, noon; IHSAA Class A Cowan, championship, 5 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Kaylee Imel qualifies for tournament
Western Michigan University sophomore Kaylee Imel was the medalist Wednesday in a qualifier for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship, which will be held at the Warren Golf Course on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame.
The 2009 Norwell graduate shot a 74 for 18 holes. Imel will be among 156 participants in the tournament set for June 21-26.

Woodward makes Big South team
Coastal Carolina junior third baseman Scott Woodward was named to the Big South Conference baseball team for the second time.
Woodward, a 2007 Norwell graduate, hit .457 in Big South games this year and stole 32 bases in Big South games. Woodward made the All-Big South team as a freshman.

Norwell golf team tops Starfires
McCormick Clouser shot a one-under-par 35 on the back nine at Timber Ridge Golf Course on Tuesday to lead the Norwell Knights to victory over the visiting South Adams Starfires.
Clouser, Taylor Imel, Isaac Tomac and Nick Imel combined to give the Knights a 149 team score. Taylor Imel shot a two-over 37, followed by Tomac with a 38 and Nick Imel with a 39. Tanner Mathews, who was filling in for his brother, Ross, added a 41. Ross Mathews was sidelined with a hand injury.
South Adams shot a 207 as a team. Stu Poulson led the Starfires with a 45. The other individual scores were Alex Habegger 47, Mark Muselman 52, Nick Baumgartner 63 and Daniel Heckard 64.
The Knights’ junior varsity won 175-241. Bret Beer led the Knights with a 42, followed by Jaron Moser with 43, Drew Williams 45, Ked Milholland 45 and Nick Earnest 51. Chase Mosser led South Adams with a 54.

JV Knights lose to Columbia City
The Norwell Knights’ junior varsity baseball team suffered a 6-5 loss to Columbia City on Tuesday at Norwell.
The Knights finished the season with a 19-2 record. Evan Brown led Norwell with two doubles and a run batted in. Nathan Shelton doubled, singled and drove in one run. Cale Schumm and Jacob Meyer each singled and knocked in one run. Briar Bolinger doubled and scored. Spencer Newell singled and scored.
Schumm (3-1) was the losing pitcher. He gave up six hits, walked two and hit a batter over 2 1/3 innings. Three of the Eagles’ four runs scored against Schumm were earned. The Knights committed five errors.
The Eagles scored two runs in the sixth inning to win the game.

Junior Golf League at Timber Ridge
Timber Ridge Golf Course will be sponsoring a Junior Golf League for children ages 6-18 every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday through June 24. For more information or to sign up, call the pro shop at 824-2728 or call Jody Ault at 824-3181 or stop in the pro shop. Schedules are available.

T-Ball scores reported
The following Bluffton T-Ball League baseball scores were reported: Almco Steel 21, American Legion 11; Apache Propane 23, Steffen Oil 10.

Free Fishing Weekend is June 5-6

Indiana DNR Release:

Kids and adults can celebrate Free Fishing Weekend, June 5-6, at recreation areas located across Indiana that are planning fun fishing derbies, casting clinics, fish-cleaning demonstrations and cooking classes.

Hoosier adults do not need a license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish Indiana waters during Free Fishing Weekend. Children age 17 and younger do not need a fishing license at any time. Although Indiana residents need no fishing license to fish public waters on Free Fishing Weekend, all other fishing regulations are still in effect.

Check out a new lake or river, or introduce friends and family to a favorite fishing spot. Call your favorite property for details, as listed below. Some properties require advance registration.

Individuals who need reasonable modifications for effective participation in Free Fishing Weekend events at DNR properties should contact the property at least 72 hours before the event or call the DNR ADA Coordinator at (317) 232-4145.

For more information, see http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3598.htm

Properties hosting activities for Free Fishing Weekend
Brookville Reservoir, Brookville, 765-458-5565
Buffalo Trace Park, Palmyra, 812-364-6112
Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA), Cloverdale, 765-795-3552
Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA), Rockville, 765-344-1412
Cedar Lake, Cedar Lake, 219-374-6157
Chain O’Lakes State Park, 260-636-2654
Dobbs Park Nature Center, Terre Haute, 812-877-1095
Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis, 317-327-7110
Falls of the Ohio State Park, Jeffersonville, 812-280-9970
Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park, Osceola, 574-277-4828
Hot Pond Park, Lebanon, 765-482-8860
Hoosier National Forest, Bedford, 812-275-5987
J. Edward Roush Lake, Huntington, 260-468-2127
Mississinewa Lake, Peru, 260-468-2127
Monroe Lake, Bloomington, 812-837-9546
Mounds State Park, Anderson, 765-649-8128
O'Bannon Woods State Park, Corydon, 812-738-8234
Ouabache State Park, Bluffton, 260-824-0926
Ox Bow Park, Goshen, 574-535-6458
Patoka Lake, Birdseye, 812-685-2464
Prairie Creek Reservoir, Selma, 765-747-4776
River Preserve Park, Goshen, 574-535-6458
Salamonie Lake, Andrews, 260-468-2127
St. Patrick County Park, South Bend, 219-277-4828
Shakamak State Park, Jasonville, 812-665-2158
Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, Vallonia, 812-358-3464
Summit Lake State Park, New Castle, 765-766-5873
Tippecanoe River State Park, Winamac, 574-946-3213
Versailles State Park, Versailles, 812-689-6424
Whitewater Memorial State Park, Liberty, 765-458-5565
Williams Dam Public Fishing Area, Williams, 812-388-5564
Willow Slough FWA, Morocco, 219-285-2704

SW girls' softball: Last batter out

It was a tough game for the Southern Wells girls' softball team on Tuesday in their bid for a sectional win at Wes-Del. They lost, 4-0, but they played well and represented Southern Wells as as exceptional athletes.

High School Sports Calendar

Wednesday, May 26
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Regional at Delta, State Singles Tournament, Kara Fiechter (Bluffton) vs. India VanCamp (Union City), 4:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, Bellmont vs. Norwell, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A Bluffton Sectional, Bluffton vs. South Adams, 4:30 p.m., Woodlan vs. FW Bishop Luers, to follow.

Thursday, May 27
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Regional at FW Wayne, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: Bluffton at Norwell, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, Peru vs. FW Wayne, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A Bluffton Sectional, championship, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Wes-Del, championship, 5 p.m.
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru Sectional, Peru vs. FW Wayne, 5 p.m., Bellmont vs. Maconaquah, 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, Bluffton vs. South Adams, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, Wes-Del vs. Cowan, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 28
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, championship, 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 29
BOYS GOLF: Norwell at Muncie Central Invitational, 1 p.m.
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru Sectional, Norwell vs. FW Elmhurst, 1 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, Woodlan vs. Bishop Luers, 11:30 a.m., Adams Central vs. Thursday’s winner, 2 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, Southern Wells vs. Daleville, 10 a.m., Liberty Christian vs. Thursday’s winner, 12:30 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Northfield golfers sink Raiders
The Northfield Norsemen defeated Southern Wells in boys’ golf action Tuesday at the Honeywell Golf Club in Wabash.
Southern Wells’ senior Blake Huffman shot a 42 to tie Northfield’s Josh Unger and Trae Cole. Unger was the medalist winner.
Northfield’s top four combined for a 175 team score. The Raiders finished with 187.
Tyler Cassiday added a 44 for the Raiders. Alex Trosper finished with a 49 and Daniel Schmidt added a 52. Justin Herring shot a 55.
Zac Zumbaugh added a 44 for Northfield and Austin Vrooman a 47. Michael Enslen ended up with a 48.
Northfield won the junior varsity match 223-258. Conner Allen had a 59 and Austin Smith a 60 to lead the Raiders.

Norwell jayvees beat Huntington
Tailur Szarenski and Nathan Shelton led the Norwell Knights’ junior varsity baseball team to a 10-4 victory over Huntington North on Monday at Huntington.
Szarenski drove in four runs and Shelton three. Szarenski hit a three-run double and Shelton a two-run single. Evan Brown had two hits, including a solo home run. Cale Schumm also had two hits. Brown also was the winning pitcher.

Girls’ tennis camp slated at Norwell
The Norwell Girls’ Tennis Camp will be offered each morning June 14-18 for Northern Wells students entering grades 5-9 in 2010-11. Cost is $25, which includes instruction and camp T-shirt. Terri Worden, the Norwell girls’ tennis coach, will conduct the camp. Application forms are available at Lancaster and Ossian elementary schools, Norwell Middle School and in the Norwell High School athletic office. For information, call 260-543-2213, ext. 7110 or 260-597-7321.

Summer tennis league on tap
A summer tennis league for boys and girls in grades 7-12 will begin June 2 at 6 p.m. at Norwell High School. Cost is $30. Matches will be played Monday and Wednesday evenings. A postseason singles and doubles tournament is included. An informational meeting is scheduled for June 2 at 6 p.m. Registration forms are available by calling Joel Fillman at 260-758-2722 or by e-mail at jafillman@verizon.net

Bluffton boys’ basketball camp set
Bluffton elementary and middle school boys, who are currently in grades 3-8, may register to participate in the Bluffton Basketball Camp slated for June 7-11 in the Tiger Den. Cost is $25. If the cost is prohibitive, contact coach Kevin Leising at 824-3724. Grades 3-4 will meet from 10-11:30 a.m.; grades 5-6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and grades 7-8 from 1-2:30 p.m. Camp brochures are available in the high school, middle school and elementary school offices.
PCTA runs past Hiday
Parlor City Trophy & Apparel held Hiday to two hits and ran away with a 13-1 victory in Bluffton Farm League baseball.
Max Corle was the winning pitcher, while Gabe Eisenhut took the loss.
Brandon Lockwood and Corle led Parlor City Trophy & Apparel with two hits apiece. Mason Heller, Lockwood and Corle tripled. Eisenhut scored for Hiday.

T-Ball scores reported
The following Bluffton T-Ball League baseball scores were reported: Apache Propane 22, Shaw Realty 11; Hot Cakes 20, DeHoff Insulation 9; Outdoor Concepts 17, LGI 17; Apache Propane 18, Dairy Queen 16; Pizza Hut 14, Shaw Realty 12.

Senior Golf Scores
Bob Gilliom and Paul Perry were the low individual scorers for the Tuesday Senior Golf League at Green Valley Golf Course in Bluffton. Gilliom was low gross with 42 and Perry low net with 34. Members of the winning team were Rex Somers, Joe Gilbert, Herman McCormick and Bob Brickley. Gilliom was closest to the pin and Somers had the longest putt. Start time for next Tuesday is 8 a.m.

Sign up for Huntington Mile swim
Swimming enthusiasts may sign up for the Glen S. Hummer Huntington Mile, which will take place on Saturday, June 19, at Lake Clare in Huntington. The one-mile cable swim will run throughout the morning with a 5K swim in the afternoon. For more information and registration, please visit http://www.huntingtonmile.org.

Basketball camp at Huntington
HUNTINGTON — Huntington University’s men’s basketball team will host a camp July 5-9 at the Merillat Complex Main Gymnasium. Cost is $85 for children K-grade 3 and $90 for grades 4-9. All campers who register by June 1 will receive a 10 percent discount. Registration forms are available at the athletic office or campers may register online at www.huntington.edu/mbasketball. For more information, call 260-359-4212.

Larsen receives Judo honors

Mountain Storm Martial Arts Instructor Fred Chiappetta awarded student Dave Larsen the 2010 Virgil Bowels Award for his excellent student and instructor values and his personification of the true spirit of Judo.
Virgil Bowels was a long time teacher, leader and representative of Indiana Judo. He died this past year.

High water at Salamonie and Roush lakes this weekend

Indiana DNR Release:

High water has resulted in the closure of the beach at Salamonie Lake and a request from the Department of Natural Resources for caution on the water at both Salamonie and Roush lakes through Memorial Day weekend.

At Roush Lake, the beach should be open, although the water will be very muddy. Salamonie Lake is at 7 feet over summer pool and is rising slowly, and the beach is very likely to remain underwater and closed.

Boat ramps will be open at both lakes, but the influx of water into the reservoirs always results in an increase in partially submerged logs and other debris. Boaters should use caution on the water.

Campgrounds, picnic areas and shelters, interpretive programs and other recreation activities remain open and available for use.

Additional rain may alter conditions at one or both locations. For current conditions, contact Salamonie Lake at (260) 468-2125 or Roush Lake at (260) 468-2165.

Salamonie Reservoir features youth and adult fishing opportunities

Indiana DNR Release:

Those seeking a fishing hot spot need look no farther Salamonie Reservoir, particularly this year.

“Anglers are having good success this year as another sizeable class of white crappie makes its way through the ranks,”said DNR wildlife specialist Justin Harrington.

White Bass, bluegill, and channel catfish are other fish frequently sought—and caught— at Salamonie Reservoir.

Forty-eight fish attractors are placed throughout Salamonie Reservoir at various depths and GPS locations. Five fish attractors have also been added below winter pool level to increase opportunity for ice fishermen during that time of year. Maps and GPS coordinates of all fish attractor locations can be obtained at the Salamonie visitors center and the Salamonie interpretive center.

At Hominy Ridge Lake in Salamonie River State Forest, size restrictions have been removed to help reduce an overpopulation of small bluegill and redear sunfish. This makes for an excellent opportunity to introduce a child to fishing. The bag limit of 15 bluegill and redear singly or in aggregate still remains.

A 2-acre pond was also stocked in 2009 with bluegill, redear, channel catfish and largemouth bass in management unit S-3 on Salamonie property, making for another great place to take a kid fishing. Over the next year, these fish will grow to be a catchable size.

Maps of all fishing ponds on Salamonie property can be found at the Salamonie visitors center and interpretive center. Additionally, fishing reports are updated weekly and can be found at www.in.gov/apps/dnr/fishing/dnr_fishingreport. Click on Northeast Indiana for Salamonie Reservoir reports.

Free Kids Fishing Derbies will be held at Salamonie, Mississinewa, and Roush lakes on June 5. Every participating child gets a prize package. Those with winning fish are awarded tackle and fishing equipment. Call Upper Wabash Interpretive Services, (260) 468-2127, to sign up children ages 2-14 for the June 5 Free Kids Fishing Derby at one of the three lakes.

DNR biologists studying changes in fish populations

Indiana DNR Release:

COLUMBIA CITY – To better understand how fish populations and fishing conditions change from year to year, the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) will begin a series of surveys in June at five natural lakes in northern Indiana.

The surveys are designed to track annual changes in number, size, weight, and growth of various fish species in each lake over the next five years.

Lakes selected include 308-acre Adams Lake in LaGrange County, 206-acre Crooked Lake in Whitley County, 32-acre McClure Lake in southern Kosciusko County, 22-acre Mud Lake in Fulton County, and 187-acre Waubee Lake in northern Kosciusko County.

The lakes were chosen because they represent a variety of lake sizes, habitat conditions, and fish communities.

“We know fishing fluctuates from year to year, but we don’t know the magnitude of the changes or reasons for the changes,” said Steve Donabauer, DFW assistant fisheries biologist and coordinator of the project.

“We also don’t know how lakes change through time and how factors such as habitat damage, watershed management practices, and climate may affect fishing,” Donabauer said.

Donabauer labeled the five lakes as “fixed sites” because they will be monitored annually. However, DFW biologists will also sample 11 other natural lakes that will be chosen randomly each year. A variety of information will be gathered at each.

“We will use shocker boats, gill nets, and traps to sample fish communities in each lake during June. We will also monitor basic habitat features, such as depth, water clarity, oxygen content, aquatic plants, and microscopic zooplankton,” Donabauer said.

Dubbed the “Status and Trends Project,” the five-year study will enable biologists to predict how fish populations in all of Indiana’s 450 natural lakes are changing based on what they find at the study lakes.

“We don’t have the manpower or resources to survey every natural lake in the state,” Donabauer said. “This project, therefore, will help us track what is happening throughout the natural lakes region and form the basis of any region-wide approaches we take to protect and manage fish populations.”

All data obtained from the project will be compiled annually and then electronically stored, analyzed, and made available to anglers, lake associations, government agencies, universities and the general public.

In addition to the fixed sites, other lakes to be surveyed this year include Everett in Allen County, Banning and Fish in Kosciusko County, Emma and Mateer in LaGrange County, Clear in LaPorte County, Thomas and Koontz in Marshall County, Big and Upper Long in Noble County, and Henry in Steuben County.

DNR camping reminders for Memorial Day weekend

Indiana DNR Release:

DNR campgrounds and cabins at state parks, state reservoirs and recreation areas are virtually booked to capacity and ready for Memorial Day weekend. State Forest campgrounds are first-come, first served, and also expect brisk business.

Before you head out the door to camp, a few tips are in order.

If you’re too late to make a reservation for this weekend, don't miss out on a July 4 camping weekend. Cabins and campsites are still available, but will go quickly. Visit www.camp.IN.gov or call 1-866-6CAMPIN (1-866-622-6746) to reserve your favorite cabin, shelter or campsite. Not sure where you want to go? Find property maps and facility information at www.stateparks.IN.gov.

Many new features are ready to enhance your experience no matter when you visit. See http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-Property_Updates_and_Successes_for_2009.pdf or go to www.stateparks.IN.gov and click on “Property Updates and Successes” for more information. You also can check out the Hoosier Quest program and other nature, history and recreation activities at www.interpretiveservices.IN.gov or try our SPR Fitness Challenge at http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-SPR_2010_Fitness_Challenge.pdf.

Remember, no matter where you’re traveling, check your firewood source before attempting to take it through the property gate because of infestations of the emerald ash borer (EAB) insect.

Those who live in or plan to visit Carroll, Cass, Dubois or Tippecanoe counties should note that all four counties have recently been quarantined for firewood. That means firewood from those counties, along with firewood from other previously quarantined counties, can't be taken into state park, reservoir, recreation areas or state forest properties. The only exceptions are pine firewood, kiln-dried scrap lumber and wood that bears either a federal or state compliance label indicating it was purchased from a vendor whose wood has been inspected. For more about EAB and DNR firewood policy: http://www.IN.gov/dnr/parklake/files/sp-EAB_FAQ.pdf.

DNR-led boat tours at Twin Caves at Spring Mill State Park are open to visitors but all other caves on DNR properties remain closed. The purpose is to slow the uncontrolled spread of white-nosed syndrome (WNS), which is killing bats in record numbers in the eastern United States. While this disease is not a threat to humans, there is evidence that it may be transmitted from cave to cave on the clothing and boots of recreational cavers. Twin Caves is able to remain open because it is a wet cave with controlled boat access only. The WNS fungus settles in soil.

For more information, go to www.dnr.IN.gov/batdisease.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, May 25
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Regional at Fort Wayne Northrop, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: South Adams at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.; Southern Wells at Northfield, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, FW Elmhurst vs. Norwell, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Wes-Del, Wes-Del vs. Cowan, 5 p.m., Southern Wells vs. Daleville, 6:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Blackhawk Christian at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m. (rescheduled)
JV BASEBALL: Columbia City at Norwell, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 26
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, Bellmont vs. winner of game 2, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A Bluffton Sectional, Bluffton vs. South Adams, 4:30 p.m., Woodlan vs. FW Bishop Luers, to follow.

Thursday, May 27
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Regional at FW Wayne, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: Bluffton at Norwell, 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, Peru vs. FW Wayne, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A Bluffton Sectional, championship, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Wes-Del, championship, 5 p.m.
BASEBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Peru Sectional, Peru vs. FW Wayne, 5 p.m., Bellmont vs. Maconaquah, 7 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A FW Bishop Luers, Bluffton vs. South Adams, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Cowan, Wes-Del vs. Cowan, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 28
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, championship, 5 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Bishop Luers knocks out
Adams Central in sectional play
Amy Morrison tossed a six-hitter and struck out nine batters Monday to lead the Bishop Luers Knights to a 1-0 victory over Adams Central in the opening game of the Bluffton Class 2A softball sectional.
Bishop Luers scored in the first inning and Morrison matched pitches with Adams Central’s Sydnee Peterson, who suffered the loss. Peterson gave up just four hits and struck out six.
Alyssa Keller doubled for Adams Central and Samantha Baker added two singles. Jenae Blackburn, Lindsey McDougall and Mary Fox each singled for the Jets. Kayla Girod, Ashton Castle, Erin Conroy and Morrison singled for the Knights.

More IHSAA girls’ softball results
In other IHSAA girls’ softball sectional action Monday, Bellmont pounded Maconaquah 20-0 in five innings in the Norwell Class 3A tournament opener. At Wes-Del in Class A, Daleville ousted Liberty Christian 8-2 in the opener.

Vikings’ golfers too much for Tigers
In a boys’ golf sectional tune-up Monday at LaFontaine Golf Course near Huntington, the Huntington North Vikings defeated the Bluffton Tigers 151-195.
Huntington North’s E.J. Tackett shot a 33 to take the medalist honors, while teammates Garrett Bracht and Tyler Shearer finished, respectively, with a 38 and 39. Jordan Sweet added a 41 to complete the four-man team score. Quinton Flora ended up with a 42 and Neil Hamilton a 44.
Bluffton was led by Tyler Mohler’s 39. Andrew Wilson and Carson Addington each shot a 50, while Sean Ashman added a 56 to cap the Tigers’ score. Ian Betz shot a 61 and Spencer Barnell a 67 for Bluffton.

Bluffton awards program scheduled
The Bluffton High School spring athletic awards program will be held Tuesday in the cafetorium. Outstanding male and female senior athletes also will be recognized. The program will begin at 7 p.m. All athletes that participated in a spring sport are expected to be present and dressed in a professional manner.

Order Bluffton letter jackets
Bluffton letter jackets may be ordered Wednesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. A sales representative will be present for fittings. Any athlete majoring in a sport may order a jacket with a down payment of $50.

Bluffton boys’ basketball camp set
Bluffton elementary and middle school boys, who are currently in grades 3-8, may register to participate in the Bluffton Basketball Camp slated for June 7-11 in the Tiger Den. Cost is $25. If the cost is prohibitive, contact coach Kevin Leising at 824-3724. Grades 3-4 will meet from 10-11:30 a.m.; grades 5-6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and grades 7-8 from 1-2:30 p.m. Camp brochures are available in the high school, middle school and elementary school offices.

Basketball camp at Huntington
HUNTINGTON — Huntington University’s men’s basketball team will host a camp July 5-9 at the Merillat Complex Main Gymnasium. Cost is $85 for children K-grade 3 and $90 for grades 4-9. All campers who register by June 1 will receive a 10 percent discount. Registration forms are available at the athletic office or campers may register online at www.huntington.edu/mbasketball. For more information, call 260-359-4212.

T-Ball scores reported
The following Bluffton T-Ball League baseball scores were reported recently: Longenberger 18, AdamsWells Internet 7; American Legion 17, Minnich 11; Les Gerber Insurance 14, AdamsWells Internet 14.

Girls’ softball scores reported
The following Wells County Girls’ Fast Pitch softball scores were reported from Monday’s action at Roush Park in Bluffton: First Bank of Berne 14, Indiana Physical Therapy 11; First Bank of Berne/Peyton’s 14, Indiana Physical Therapy 11.
In the second game, Grace Miller of First Bank of Berne/Peyton’s was the player of the game for outstanding hustle and defensive play.

Three Knights named to NHC softball team
Norwell senior Kelsey Kline and teammates Ashley Koehlinger and Kayla Hanni were named to the Northeast Hoosier Conference girls’ softball all-conference team.
Kline was named to the first team as a corner infielder. Koehlinger was named to the second team as a designated player. Hanni was named to the honorable mention team as a pitcher.
Norwell finished 2-5 in the conference standings.

Mississinewa Reservoir hosts Beatles Remix, May 29

Indiana DNR Release:

A Beatles tribute is coming to Mississinewa Reservoir’s interpretive shelter and amphitheater in the modern campground, May 29, starting at 8 p.m.

The two-hour musical performance of The Beatles Remix includes the sound, dress, hair and even the English slang the Fab Four used. Group members are from Kokomo and Indianapolis. This performance is sponsored by Bowman’s Heating and Cooling of Peru and by Upper Wabash Interpretive Services.

Located in the Miami Recreation Area at Mississinewa Reservoir, the modern campground amphitheater and interpretive program shelter are a short walk from the visitor parking area.

The performance is free; however, there is a $5 per in-state vehicle entrance fee ($7 for out-of-state vehicles) to enter the recreation area. For more about Upper Wabash Interpretive Services programs at Mississinewa, J. Edward Roush, or Salamonie reservoirs, call (260) 468-2127 or see http://www.IN.gov/dnr/uwis/.

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, May 24
BOYS GOLF: Bluffton vs. Huntington North, 4 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at Jay County, 5 p.m.; Norwell vs. Brebeuf at Ball State University, 5:30 p.m. tentative start.
JV BASEBALL: Norwell at Huntington North, 4:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, Bellmont vs. Maconaquah, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class 2A Bluffton Sectional, FW Bishop Luers vs. Adams Central, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Wes-Del, Liberty Christian vs. Daleville, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 25
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Regional at Fort Wayne Northrop, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: South Adams at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.; Southern Wells at Northfield, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: IHSAA Class 3A Norwell Sectional, FW Elmhurst vs. Norwell, 5 p.m.; IHSAA Class A Wes-Del, Wes-Del vs. Cowan, 5 p.m., Southern Wells vs. Monday’s winner, 6:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Blackhawk Christian at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.; Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m. (rescheduled)
JV BASEBALL: Columbia City at Norwell, 5 p.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Middle school bowlers win state title
Wells County middle school bowlers picked up major awards Saturday in the Indiana middle school state bowling finals at Cooper’s Sport Bowl in Anderson.
Norwell’s team of Jack Williams, Corben Havener, Lucas Kingslien and Pete Williams defeated Avon 2254-2224 for the team championship.
Havener was second in his individual division and Bluffton’s Jaimee Jaskie was third in her division.

Bluffton awards program scheduled
The Bluffton High School spring athletic awards program will be held on Tuesday, May 25, in the cafetorium. Outstanding male and female senior athletes also will be recognized. The program will begin at 7 p.m. All athletes that participated in a spring sport are expected to be present and dressed in a professional manner.

Order Bluffton letter jackets
Bluffton letter jackets may be ordered Wednesday, May 26 at 1 p.m. A sales representative will be present for fittings. Any athlete majoring in a sport may order a jacket with a down payment of $50.

Bluffton boys’ basketball camp set
Bluffton elementary and middle school boys, who are currently in grades 3-8, may register to participate in the Bluffton Basketball Camp slated for June 7-11 in the Tiger Den. Cost is $25. If the cost is prohibitive, contact coach Kevin Leising at 824-3724. Grades 3-4 will meet from 10-11:30 a.m.; grades 5-6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and grades 7-8 from 1-2:30 p.m. Camp brochures are available in the high school, middle school and elementary school offices.

Usain Bolt wins another race
SHANGHAI, China (AP) — Jamaica’s Usain Bolt won the 200 meters at the Diamond League meet in Shanghai, cruising to victory in 19.76 seconds.
The world and Olympic champion at 100 and 200 meters was never tested and looked relaxed as he finished ahead of Americans Angelo Taylor, second in 20.34, and Ryan Bailey, third in 20.43.
In other events, David Oliver of the United States ran a season-best 12.99 to win the 110 hurdles, leaving hometown hero and former world record holder Liu Xiang trailing in third (13.40), just behind fellow Chinese Shi Dongpeng (13.39).
Carmelita Jeter of the United States captured the women’s 100 in 11.09 seconds. Jeremy Wariner won the men’s 400 in 45.41 seconds and was followed by fellow American David Neville (45.70) and Michael Bingham of Britain (45.84).

Jason Day captures golf title
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Jason Day nearly dropped out of the Byron Nelson Championship before it began. He wound up winning the tournament — even though most folks likely will remember Jordan Spieth as the big winner.
Day fought through a rocky final round for a 2-over 72, but it was good enough to give the 22-year-old Australian the first win of his PGA Tour career. Still, the 2010 Nelson will go down for the remarkable Tour debut by Spieth, a 16-year-old junior at a local high school.
Spieth was within three shots of the lead on the final nine holes, but dropped back into a tie for 16th. He shot a 2-over 72 in the final round, his highest score of the tournament. His 4-under 276 was six strokes behind Day.

Biologists map bass locations in Noble County lake

Indiana DNR Release:

ALBION – Fisheries biologists who mapped more than 100 locations of legal-size largemouth bass in an 86-acre Noble County lake this month were surprised by what they found.

Contrary to conventional thinking, bass did not concentrate along natural sections of shoreline and avoid residential areas. The biologists found more bass near piers, beaches and areas where homes were present than along undisturbed shoreline areas with cattails and lily pads.

During electrofishing on three nights at Upper Long Lake southwest of Albion, biologists captured 10.9 legal-size bass per 1,000 feet of residential shoreline and 7.5 bass per 1,000 feet of natural shoreline.

The results, said Jed Pearson, biologist with the Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife, demonstrate the need to better understand bass biology and how various factors can affect bass behavior.

The lowest density of legal-size bass, 4.3 bass per 1,000 feet of shoreline, was noted in two manmade channels on the east side of the lake.

Legal-size bass measure 14 inches or longer. Several bass up to 20 inches long were found in the lake.

“We sampled during the peak spawning season hoping to find out what areas provide better bass habitat,” Pearson said. “We figured more bass would be along natural sections of shoreline where lily pads and other natural habitat features are present.”

Some natural areas seemed nearly devoid of large bass. Few bass were found at the north end of the lake in a natural area of shallow water with aquatic plants. No bass were caught in a natural area along the east shore.

In contrast, three sections of shoreline along the south end of lake where homes are present contained 11.4 to 14.7 bass per 1,000 feet.

Although Pearson said residential areas in general held more bass than natural areas, the highest bass density was noted in a natural area along a prominent point on the west side of the lake. Density there exceeded 20 bass per 1,000 feet.

Specific bass locations around the point also were surprising. Both sides looked similar, but 14 bass were located on the north side; two bass were located on the south side.

“Weather, wind direction, depth and slope of the lake bottom, as well as various other features probably play a role in where bass are located,” Pearson said.

Although bass locations were similar from week to week, they can change from season to season and year to year.

“Back in 1995 when we did a similar project at the lake, we found lots of big bass in two channels on the east side. This year we caught only five,” Pearson said. “Something in the channels has apparently changed but we don’t know what.”

“We have a lot to learn,” he added.

Northeast Hoosier Conference boys' golf tournament

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler attended the Northeast Hoosier Conference boys' golf tournament on Saturday at Coyote Creek Golf Club in Fort Wayne.
The Norwell Knights repeated as the overall conference champion, winning the season dual meet schedule 6-1 and winning the tournament Saturday.
Beitler also captured some golf action on video.


Taylor Imel in action on the ninth hole. It shows him lining up a putt and hitting the long putt.


Ross Mathews also putting on the ninth green.


McCormick Clouser making a long putt on the ninth hole. He was Norwell's top golfer. He was the NHC individual tournament champion with an 18-hole total score of 4-under-par 68 (34-34).


Clouser on the 18th hole. He is chipping onto the green to finish the final hole.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, May 21
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m. (postponed to Tuesday, 5 p.m.); Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m. (rescheduled)
SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m. (rescheduled)
JV SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 9 a.m.
BOYS GOLF: ACAC Tournament at Brookwood, noon; NHC Tournament at Coyote Creek, 1:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at Maconaquah Invitational, 10 a.m.
JV BASEBALL: DeKalb at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL: North Miami, Cass at Southern Wells, 10 a.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell girls out slug North Side
Cheyenne Harris ripped two doubles and drove in four runs to help the Norwell girls’ softball team pound Fort Wayne North Side 15-3 in a five-inning game Thursday at Norwell.
Norwell improved its record to 10-12, as pitcher Kayla Hanni hit a home run to drive in two runs. On the mound, she gave up six hits and one earned run. She struck out eight and walked three.
Kelsey Kline, Katie Runyon and Heather Sterrett each knocked in two runs. Sterrett had three hits, while Runyon and Kline both had two, including a double by Kline. Ashley Koehlinger also had two singles. Jalyn Kremer and Morgan Chilton each singled and had one RBI.

Norwell golfers ranked 7th
The Norwell Knights are ranked seventh in the latest Top 20 boys’ golf poll released Friday by the Indiana High School Golf Coaches Association (IHSGCA):

TOP 20: 1. Avon; 2. Hamilton Southeastern; 3. Carmel; 4. Brebeuf; 5. Evansville Memorial; 6. Floyd Central; 7. NORWELL; 8. Evansville North; 9. Warsaw; 10. Valparaiso; 11. Noblesville; 12. Center Grove; 13. Bloomington North; 14. Zionsville; 15. Yorktown; 16. Shawe Memorial; 17. Providence; 18. Warren Central; 19. Columbus North; 20. Homestead.
Honorable Mention: Terre Haute South, Bedford North Lawrence, Tipton, Peru, Northridge, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger.

Eastbrook golfers best Tigers
Andrew Weiland and Nick Combs shared medalist honors Thursday to lead the Eastbrook Panthers’ golf team to a 166-215 victory over the Bluffton Tigers at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Bluffton.
Weiland and Combs each shot a 41, while Blake McQueen and Lance Hoch both added a 42 for the four-man team score.
Bluffton was led by junior Tyler Mohler with a 47 and sophomore Andrew Wilson shot a 50. Freshman Carson Addington followed with a 57 and sophomore Spencer Barnell completed the Tigers’ scoring with a 61.
Sean Ashman finished with a 63 and Ian Betz shot a 68 for the Tigers.
Christopher Duckwall added a 44 for the Panthers and Austin Cansler finished with a 46.

Bluffton volleyball meeting slated
Bluffton volleyball coach Robert Ochoa will be conducting an informational meeting on Monday, May 24, for anyone currently in grades 6-12 who would like to play volleyball. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the high school library. The summer schedule will be discussed. For more information, call 260-710-1317.

Sign up for summer tennis league
A summer tennis league for boys and girls in grades 7-12 will begin June 2 at 6 p.m. at Norwell High School. Cost is $30. Matches will be played Monday and Wednesday evenings. A postseason singles and doubles tournament is included. An informational meeting is scheduled for June 2 at 6 p.m. Registration forms are available by calling Joel Fillman at 260-758-2722 or by e-mail at jafillman@verizon.net

Beitler at IHSAA track and field

News-Banner Sports Editor Paul Beitler covered the IHSAA boys' track and field sectional Thursday night at Wayne High School and spent some time talking with Wells County's top finishers.



Norwell's Sean Cossairt


Bluffton's Mark Bowman


Southern Wells' Chase Harris

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Heritage downs Raiders 16-0
The Heritage Patriots handed the Southern Wells Raiders a 16-0 loss Wednesday at Monroeville in an Allen County Athletic Conference baseball make-up game.
The Raiders (6-16-1, 1-6) were held to four hits and they committed five errors. Seth Biberstine doubled for the Raiders.
Heritage finished its ACAC slate with a 4-3 mark. Andy Blauvelt was the winning pitcher in the five-inning game. The Patriots had 11 hits, including four doubles.
Biberstine was the losing pitcher. He allowed six hits and walked three batters over 1 1/3 innings.

Columbia City girls shut out Norwell
The Norwell girls’ varsity softball team was blanked 7-0 by Columbia City Wednesday in a Northeast Hoosier Conference make-up game at Norwell.
Norwell (9-12) was held to a single by freshman Carlee Harnish, while losing pitcher Kayla Hanni gave up five earned runs on eight hits and a walk. Three of the Eagles’ hits were doubles.
The Knights struck out 12 times and Harnish drew one walk. Norwell also committed three errors.
The Eagles scored a run in the second and fourth innings to go ahead 2-0 and erupted for five in the sixth.

Homestead defeats Norwell jayvees
Homestead defeated the Norwell junior varsity girls’ softball team 16-2 in five innings Wednesday at Fort Wayne.
The Knights (1-12) had five hits against Homestead. Mariah Hoger had two hits and scored a run. Rye Geiger singled and scored. Brittany Caldwell singled and drove in one run. Andi Miller drove in the other Norwell run. Kourtney Lazarek also singled.

DeKalb blanks Norwell in tennis
The Norwell girls’ tennis team made up a Northeast Hoosier Conference match against the DeKalb Barons Wednesday and lost 5-0 at Waterloo.
The Knights’ record slipped to 7-7 and they finished 2-5 in conference. DeKalb (8-4) ended up 5-2 in NHC action.
DeKalb won the junior varsity match 6-0.

VARSITY SINGLES: Lexie Buchs (D) d. Alyssa Tucker 6-0, 6-0; Payton Rhodes (D) d. Rachelle Rodenbeck 6-0, 6-4; Alison Konieczski (D) d. Jami Reinhard 6-0, 6-2.
VARSITY DOUBLES: Breanna Wolf/Katie Reynolds (D) d. Lindsey Dahn/Eden Chaney 6-2, 6-0; Michaela Ehmke/Brittany Perry (D) d. Addie Williams/Sophie Gerber 6-1, 6-1.
JUNIOR VARSITY SINGLES: Ashley Likens (D) d. Lyndsey Havener 8-3; Liz Lauer (D) d. Riley Gaunt 8-4; Taylor Rowe (D) d. Olivia Glenn 8-5.
JUNIOR VARSITY DOUBLES: Kaylee Stout/Nicole Thiele (D) d. Taylor Sprinkle/Amanda Horan 8-4; Olivia Martin/Kristen Konieczski (D) d. Rachel Phillips/Kiersten Clark 8-2; Haleigh Knapp/Lauren Crowl (D) d. Breeanna Fusselman/Phillips 6-3.

Bolt streaks to first win of season
DAEGU, South Korea (AP) — Usain Bolt won the 100 meters in 9.86 seconds in his season debut at the Daegu meet.
The time was 0.28 seconds off the world record of 9.58 he set at last year’s world championships in Berlin. He shaved 0.08 seconds off Tyson Gay’s 2009 meet record of 9.94.
Jamaican countryman Michael Frater was second in 10.15, and American Mike Rodgers was third in 10.18.
Carmelita Jeter of the United States won the women’s 100 in 11.00, followed by Beijing Olympic gold medalist Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica in 11.05. Sherone Simpson of Jamaica was third in 11.26.
Ryan Bailey of the United States won the 200 in 20.58, and two-time Olympic champion Angelo Taylor of the U.S. won the 400 with 45.21. American Bianca Knight won the 200 in 22.92.

Mears to take Vickers’ spot
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Casey Mears will fill in for Brian Vickers during Saturday’s Sprint Cup All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Red Bull Racing says Mears will drive the No. 83 Toyota for Vickers, who is undergoing treatment for blood clots in his legs and near his lungs. Mears finished 22nd while subbing for Vickers last weekend at Dover.

Hamlin’s crew wins Challenge
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 team continued a dominating season by winning NASCAR’s Pit Crew Challenge. The seven-member team changed four tires, put in gas and pushed the car 40 yards in 23.132 seconds to edge defending champion Jeff Burton’s crew and collect $70,650.

High School Sports Calendar

Thursday, May 20
BOYS GOLF: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Sectional at FW Wayne, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, Bluffton vs. Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: FW South Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Bluffton at South Adams, 5 p.m.; Randolph Southern at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Norwell at Homestead, 5 p.m.; South Adams at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: FW North Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Wes-Del at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 21
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m. (rescheduled from Tuesday); Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m. (rescheduled)
SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m. (rescheduled)
JV SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 9 a.m.
BOYS GOLF: ACAC Tournament at Brookwood, noon; NHC Tournament at Coyote Creek, 1:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at Maconaquah Invitational, 10 a.m.
JV BASEBALL: DeKalb at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL: North Miami, Cass at Southern Wells, 10 a.m.

Additional trout releases scheduled for area streams

Indiana DNR Release:

Additional trout will be stocked in four northern Indiana streams by the Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife before Memorial Day weekend.

The Pigeon River (Steuben and LaGrange counties) will be stocked at County Road 175 North and at County Line Road. Turkey Creek (LaGrange County) will be stocked at County Road 150 North. These stream crossings are located on the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area. The trout stockings schedules for the Little Elkhart River (Elkhart County) will take place at the Bonneyville Mill County Park. The Little Kankakee River (LaPorte County) will be stocked with additional trout at County Road 100 South.

Although these stream sites will be the only areas to receive additional trout in May, fish from the initial releases in late April are still available in most of northern Indiana’s trout streams. Although anglers fishing the more remote areas continue to report good catches, the DNR’s practice of providing additional stockings at a few sites, which began in 1990, provides a bonus and extends trout-fishing opportunities.

Measuring fish properly

Indiana DNR Release:

When Max Amstutz of Spencerville caught several walleyes from a northern Indiana natural lake recently, he did the right thing.

Amstutz let them go. Legally, however, that wasn’t necessary.

Each of the walleyes measured exactly 14 1/8 inches long from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail—that is, with the tip of the tail stretched out to its maximum length. The walleyes were at least 14 inches long, Indiana’s minimum size limit for walleye.

Trouble is, and what bothered Amstutz, was the fact that the walleyes were only 13 and ¾ inches long when the tail was unfolded and measured in its normal position. Not wanting to risk arrest for keeping fish that were too small, he let them go.

Then he contacted the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) to find out how fish are supposed to be measured in order to comply with size limit requirements.

“I didn’t want to bring them to the boat ramp and have a game warden check them and find them short,” he said.

According to the rules, Amstutz could have kept the fish.

“Fish are measured for their maximum length from the tip of the jaw to the tip of the compressed tail fin,” said Jed Pearson, DFW fisheries biologist. “His walleyes were legal size, although barely.”

“Max could have kept his walleyes but we’re glad he let them go,” said Pearson. “The next time he catches them, or someone else catches them, they will be bigger.”

Pearson said DFW biologists have considered increasing the walleye size limit at some lakes but so far they do not have strong scientific data to indicate it is needed.

“Increasing the size limit is something we’re looking at,” he said.

High School Sports Calendar

Wednesday, May 19
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Bluffton Sectional, pole vault competition, 5 p.m. (rescheduled from Monday)
BASEBALL: Southern Wells at Heritage, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: FW Snider at Norwell, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Homestead at Norwell, 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 20
BOYS GOLF: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Sectional at FW Wayne, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: FW South Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Bluffton at South Adams, 5 p.m.; Randolph Southern at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Norwell at Homestead, 5 p.m.; South Adams at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: FW North Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Wes-Del at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 21
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m. (rescheduled from Tuesday)
SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 9 a.m.
BOYS GOLF: ACAC Tournament at Brookwood, noon; NHC Tournament at Coyote Creek, 1:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at Maconaquah Invitational, 10 a.m.
JV BASEBALL: DeKalb at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL: North Miami, Cass at Southern Wells, 10 a.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Braves shock No. 6 Knights
The Bellmont Braves stunned the No. 6-ranked Norwell Knights’ golf team on their home turf Tuesday at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Bluffton.
Bellmont’s threesome of Seth Garner, Zack Wetzel and Jim Baker led the Braves, who compiled a four-man score of 158. Norwell finished with a 162.
Garner, the Braves’ fifth man, took medalist honors with an even par 36 on the front nine. Wetzel followed with a 38 and Baker shot a 39. Nathan Kortenber added a 45 to round out the Braves’ scoring. Corbin Kuhnle finished with a 47.
Norwell’s McCormick Clouser and Ross Mathews each shot a 39. Taylor Imel and Nick Imel were next each with a 42. Isaac Tomac followed with a 43.
In the junior varsity match, Norwell won 182-197. Tanner Mathews led the Knights with a 38. Nick Earnest shot a 47, Drew Williams a 48, Ked Milholland a 49 and Bret Beer a 50.
Alec Elder led Bellmont’s reserves with a 46. Damon Staub and Conner Busick each shot a 49. John Skaggs carded a 53.

Blackford golfers top Raiders
The Blackford Bruins defeated the Southern Wells Raiders 176-188 in a boys’ golf match Tuesday at the Blackford Country Club in Hartford City.
The Raiders (7-10) were led by Blake Huffman, who shot a 43 on the par-36 front nine. Tyler Cassiday followed with a 46 and Daniel Schmidt finished with a 49. Justin Herring completed the four-man team score with a 50. Alex Trosper was back with a 56.
Franklin Crist paced the Bruins with a one-over-par 37.
In the junior varsity match, Blackford won 219-254. Zach Leyman led the way with a 54.

Indy Car driver released from hospital
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Venezuela’s E.J. Viso was released from an Indianapolis hospital late Tuesday night after crashing during Indianapolis 500 practice.
The 25-year-old driver spun as he went through the first turn, then slid up the track and slammed into the outside wall. Viso was taken off the track on a stretcher, examined at the infield medical center and then transported to Methodist Hospital after complaining of back pain.
KV Racing Technology, Viso’s team, issued a statement saying X-rays, MRIs and a series of tests showed no extensive damage. Viso was released about 5 hours after the crash and the team said he hopes to be driving his backup car when practice resumes Wednesday.

Mayfield’s lawsuit dismissed
A federal judge dismissed Jeremy Mayfield’s lawsuit against NASCAR, a ruling that presumably ends the yearlong saga surrounding the first Sprint Cup driver suspended for failing a random drug test.
U.S. District Judge Graham Mullen ruled in Charlotte, N.C., that Mayfield had twice waived his rights to pursue any claims against NASCAR when he signed documents both as a driver and as an owner to participate in the stock car series.
Mayfield was suspended last May 9 for failing a random drug test. NASCAR later said the driver tested positive for methamphetamines, a claim Mayfield has consistently denied.

High School Sports Calendar

Tuesday, May 18
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Sectional at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: Bellmont at Norwell, 4 p.m.
BASEBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Columbia City at Norwell, 5 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS: Norwell at DeKalb, 4:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL: Norwell at Lakewood Park Christian, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 19
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Bluffton Sectional, pole vault competition, 5 p.m. (rescheduled from Monday)
BASEBALL: Southern Wells at Heritage, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: FW Snider at Norwell, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Homestead at Norwell, 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 20
BOYS GOLF: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Sectional at FW Wayne, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: FW South Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Bluffton at South Adams, 5 p.m.; Randolph Southern at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Norwell at Homestead, 5 p.m.; South Adams at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: FW North Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Wes-Del at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 21
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 9 a.m.
BOYS GOLF: ACAC Tournament at Brookwood, noon; NHC Tournament at Coyote Creek, 1:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at Maconaquah Invitational, 10 a.m.
JV BASEBALL: DeKalb at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL: North Miami, Cass at Southern Wells, 10 a.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Bluffton, Norwell to square off
in girls’ sectional action
Bluffton and Norwell will collide in the first round of the Norwell IHSAA girls’ tennis sectional on Thursday.
The IHSAA made the sectional draw Monday in Indianapolis.
Huntington North and South Adams also will face off on Thursday.
Both first-round matches begin at 4:30 p.m.
In the second round, slated for 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Bellmont will play the winner of Huntington North and South Adams. The Norwell and Bluffton winner will face Adams Central.
The championship match is set for Saturday, May 22, at 9 a.m.

JV Knights rise to 17-1
Norwell’s junior varsity baseball team upped its record to 17-1 Saturday with a doubleheader victory over Jay County at Norwell. The Knights won the first game 12-1 and took the second game 6-2.
Briar Bolinger (2-0) was the winning pitcher in game two. Spencer Newell belted a solo home run. Caleb Ahrens drove in two runs. Nathan Shelton had two hits and Tailur Szarenski doubled.
Evan Brown (5-1) was the winning pitcher in game one. Reece Dafforn and Newell each had three RBIs. Szarenski had two RBIs. Shelton and Brown each had one RBI. Joe Rasdorf, Newell, Brown, Szarenski and Dafforn each had two hits, including a double by Dafforn.

Garrett steams past Raiders
Emalee Griggs tripled and Kelly Singleton doubled and both knocked in two runs to lead the Garrett Railroaders to a 7-1 victory over Southern Wells on Friday in Allen County Athletic Conference girls’ softball at Garrett.
Class 2A Garrett (20-3) sealed up the ACAC season title with a 7-0 record. The Raiders fell to 9-12 and 2-5 in league action.
The Railroaders scored twice in the first inning and five times in the fourth. The Raiders had scored to make it a 2-1 game in the top of the fourth.
Garrett pitcher Micah Bodey struck out 10 batters and allowed one earned run on two hits.
Cristin Carter (7-8) suffered the loss, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits. She struck out seven and walked two. The Raiders made three errors.
Shortstop Katie Depew and Bodey each had two hits and Depew also knocked in two runs.
Brandi Booher singled and drove in Carter for the Raiders’ run. Catcher Kayla Banter also singled.

Norwell JV girls defeat Elmhurst
The Norwell junior varsity softball team rolled over Fort Wayne Elmhurst 23-1 on Friday and lost 19-2 to DeKalb last Monday.
The Knights (1-11) scored 10 runs in the third inning against Elmhurst. Norwell had eight hits and Elmhurst five. Mariah Hoger was the winning pitcher.
Rye Geiger scored five runs against Elmhurst. Andi Miller and Hoger each scored four times. Hoger had three hits and Miller two. Geiger, Chelsea Rice and Heather Miller each had one hit. Tasia DeLeon scored three runs, Rice two and Brittany Caldwell two. Bailey Wilson, Kourtney Lazarek and Heather Miller each scored.
Hoger tripled and scored against DeKalb. Wilson singled and scored. Geiger had two hits. Heather Miller and Lazarek each singled. Rice was the losing pitcher.

Boys’ basketball camp at Norwell
Registration forms are available for the Norwell summer boys’ basketball camp slated for June 14-17. Students in grades K-8 may participate. Cost is $35 for a camper and $30 for each additional child in a family. Entry deadline is June 9.

Norwell baseball to honor Jerry Lewis
The Norwell Knights’ baseball team will be recognizing former coach Jerry Lewis for his years of coaching prior to Thursday’s game against Fort Wayne South Side. Game time is 5 p.m. Seniors and their parents will be honored after the game.

First Bank of Berne tops Pizza Hut
Kenny Patterson’s home run in the fourth inning keyed a victory for First Bank of Berne over Pizza Hut in Bluffton Junior League baseball action Saturday.
After taking a 3-2 lead with two runs in the fourth, First Bank of Berne added 11 runs in the sixth inning to win going away 14-2.
Jacob Studebaker led First Bank of Berne with five hits, including a double. Patterson had two more singles, while Hunter Schreiber and Grant Harris each added two singles. Nick King was the winning pitcher, as Pizza Hut had only one hit.

Endangered Species Day, May 21, also shines attention on Indiana DNR efforts

Indiana DNR Release:

Endangered Species Day, May 21, recognizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and several other national conservation organizations for their nationwide work at protecting America’s threatened and endangered species.

The day can also be a time to honor state agencies such as the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which provide the first line of defense to keep species on the decline from needing federal protection .

In the recent past, the DNR has successfully recovered river otters, bald eagles, ospreys and peregrine falcons in Indiana. Currently, the DNR is working to keep the state’s crawfish frog, hellbender and timber rattlesnake populations from declining to the point of needing federal endangered species designation.

Such work is done by the DNR’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wildlife Diversity Section, which is primarily funded by private donations to the DNR’s Nongame Fund, in conjunction with many Indiana conservation partners

To learn more about the Wildlife Diversity Section’s work, see http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3347.htm.

Vote for more trees for Indiana starting May 25

Indiana DNR Release:

Hoosiers can vote to have more trees planted in their state starting May 25 but the election has nothing to do with choosing who’s going to govern.

The Odwalla Plant a Tree Program is in its third year and already has been responsible for the planting of 160,000 trees elsewhere. This is the first year that it’s available in Indiana and all 49 other states.

The program allows a person to “vote” at www.odwalla.com/plantatree for the state in which he or she wants trees to be planted. Each “vote” results in $1 for the voter’s state’s state parks to use to plant trees.

A total of $200,000 is available to be divided among the states. Each person can “vote” only once, but can encourage their friends to vote also. In the first two years of the program, the trees have been “sold out” within five weeks.

Once the program closes and each state has its final dollar amounts, each state can begin to use the funds, which must be used to purchase trees. Each state decides the type of tree it wants, then submits invoices to Government Solutions Group (GSG), which runs the program, for payment, or pays invoices and submits to GSG for re-imbursement.

National Safe Boating Week, May 22-28, focuses on life jacket use

Indiana DNR Release:

Excuses for not wearing a life jacket when boating abound.

“It’s too hot! It doesn’t look cool. I know how to swim. Nothing is going
to happen to me.”

That fact is, approximately 700 people, the vast majority of who probably used one of these excuses, drown each year, nationwide, from recreational boating accidents. Don’t be one of them.

During North American Safe Boating Week (May 22–28) and throughout the boating season, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) remind boaters to WEAR IT! and be alert and aware while on the water.

As a precursor to North American Safe Boating Week, many organizations across North America will attempt to set a new world record by simultaneously inflating life jackets. The Indiana event, sponsored by DNR Indiana Conservation Officers, will take place on May 20, near the Indiana State Capital in Indianapolis at 11 a.m.

“Boating season is quickly approaching, and now is the time to inspect all safety equipment including life jackets”, says Indiana Conservation Officer Lt. Mark Farmer. “Take a look at your life jackets to ensure that they are in good condition, and wear them while boating on Indiana waterways this summer”.

Those who wish to participate in the “Ready Set Inflate” world record attempt by inflating their inflatable life jacket may register by visiting http://www.readysetinflate.com/usa/index.html and clicking on “join an event.”

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Norwell tops Elmhurst in softball
Cheyenne Harris, Katie Runyon and Heather Sterrett each drove in two runs to help the Norwell girls’ softball team beat Fort Wayne Elmhurst 15-9 on Saturday at Norwell.
Kelsey Kline led Norwell’s hitting attack with three hits, including a double, and scored two runs. Kayla Hanni had two hits, including a double, drove in a run and scored twice. Morgan Chilton also had two hits, knocked in a run and scored three runs. Runyon doubled and scored twice. Carlee Harnish also drove in a run and scored. Ashley Koehlinger, Harris and Sterrett each scored a run.
Hanni also was the winning pitcher. She gave up eight hits, walked six and struck out six. All of Elmhurst’s runs were unearned, because the Knights (9-11) committed eight errors.

New Haven wins JV tennis invite
New Haven won Saturday’s Norwell Junior Varsity Girls’ Tennis Invitational.
The Bulldogs won all three matches. They defeated Bellmont 4-1 in Round 1, Norwell 4-1 in Round 2 and Homestead 3-2 in Round 3.
Other team scores were Homestead 5-0 over Norwell in Round 1, Homestead 5-0 over Bellmont in Round 2, and Bellmont 4-1 over Norwell in Round 3.

Baer Field racing rained out
FORT WAYNE — Rain forced postponement of Baer Field Speedway’s season opener Saturday and it has been rescheduled for May 22.
The opener will feature the NAPA Twin 50s for Late Models and Modifieds. Each division will run a 50-lap race.
Along with the Twin 50s, the program will include Street Stocks, Mini Stocks, Front Wheel Drives and the new Fun Stocks. There also will be a fireworks display.
Pit gates will open at 2 p.m., with practice at 3. Spectator gates will open at 4, followed by qualifying at 5:30 and racing at 7:30. Adult admission is $15, children 7-12 are $5, and under six no charge.
For more information, call 260-478-7223 or visit the speedway’s Website at www.baerfieldspeedway.net.

Fort Wayne driver wins at Anderson
ANDERSON — Fort Wayne driver Al Cook Jr. held off a determined pack of cars with five laps remaining to win the Champion Racing Association (CRA) Howe Late Model Sportsman Series Anderson 75 on Saturday at Anderson Speedway.
Cook led all 75 laps and defeated Cedar Lake’s Keith Sterkowitz.
The Spring Championship will take place Saturday, May 22, as an opener to Pay Less Little 500 week. Racing will take place in the Street Stock, Figure 8, ThunderCar, Front Wheel Drive division on the oval and Figure 8 course and for the Pure Stocks with extended feature events in all divisions. Gates open at 5 p.m. with racing at 8 p.m.
For additional information, go on line at www.andersonspeedway.com or call at 765-642-0206.

High School Sports Calendar

Monday, May 17
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Bluffton Sectional, pole vault competition at Norwell, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: Columbia City at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Adams Central at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at FW Blackhawk, 5 p.m.; Adams Central at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Bluffton at Northfield, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, May 18
GIRLS TRACK: IHSAA Sectional at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
BOYS GOLF: Bellmont at Norwell, 4 p.m.
BASEBALL: Norwell at Columbia City, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Columbia City at Norwell, 5 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS: Norwell at DeKalb, 4:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL: Norwell at Lakewood Park Christian, 5 p.m.; Southern Wells at Bluffton, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, May 19
BASEBALL: Southern Wells at Heritage, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: FW Snider at Norwell, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Homestead at Norwell, 5 p.m.

Thursday, May 20
BOYS GOLF: Eastbrook at Bluffton, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS TRACK: IHSAA Sectional at FW Wayne, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: FW South Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Bluffton at South Adams, 5 p.m.; Randolph Southern at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Norwell at Homestead, 5 p.m.; South Adams at Bluffton, 5 p.m.
SOFTBALL: FW North Side at Norwell, 5 p.m.; Wes-Del at Southern Wells, 5 p.m.

Friday, May 21
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 4:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 5 p.m.
JV SOFTBALL: Heritage at Norwell, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 22
GIRLS TENNIS: IHSAA Sectional at Norwell, 9 a.m.
BOYS GOLF: ACAC Tournament at Brookwood, noon; NHC Tournament at Coyote Creek, 1:30 p.m.
BASEBALL: Bluffton at Maconaquah Invitational, 10 a.m.
JV BASEBALL: DeKalb at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.
SOFTBALL: North Miami, Cass at Southern Wells, 10 a.m.

High School Sports Calendar

Friday, May 14
BASEBALL: Southern Wells at Garrett, 6 p.m. (rescheduled from Tuesday); Heritage at Bluffton, 5 p.m. (rescheduled from Tuesday).
SOFTBALL: Southern Wells at Garrett, 6 p.m. (rescheduled from Tuesday); Heritage at Bluffton, 5 p.m. (rescheduled from Tuesday).
JV SOFTBALL: Norwell at FW Elmhurst, 5 p.m.
TRACK: ACAC Championships at Bluffton, 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 15
GIRLS TENNIS: Norwell Invitational, 9 a.m.
JV BOYS GOLF: Southern Wells at FW Northrop Invitational, 9 a.m.
BOYS TRACK: Norwell at FW Concordia Lutheran Relays (Grades 9-10), 9:20 a.m.
SOFTBALL: FW Elmhurst at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.; New Haven at Bluffton (DH), 10 a.m.
BASEBALL: Norwell at Bluffton (DH), 10 a.m.; Canterbury at Southern Wells, 10 a.m.; Liberty Christian at Southern Wells, 2 p.m.
JV BASEBALL: Jay County at Norwell (DH), 10 a.m.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Knights sink New Haven golfers
Three Norwell Knights finished with below-par rounds on the back nine at Whispering Creek golf course in Fort Wayne to beat the New Haven Bulldogs in boys’ high school golf on Tuesday.
McCormick Clouser and Ross Mathews each shot a two-under 34, as the top four Knights combined for a 140 team score. Taylor Imel added a one-under 35 and Isaac Tomac followed with a one-over 37. Nick Imel finished up with a 41.
Clouser birdied holes 14, 16 and 18, while shooting a bogey on the 11th hole. Mathews birdied 11 and 14. Taylor Imel also birdied 11.
New Haven ended up with a 179 team score, led by Nate Kolmerton with a two-over 38. Landon Flory shot a 41, while Ryan Guise and Austin Kraner each finished with a 50.
In junior varsity action, Norwell won 153-210. Freshman Tanner Mathews shot an even-par 36, while Bret Beer added a 37 and Ked Milholland netted a 39. Drew Williams shot a 41 and Nick Earnest posted a 42.

Northfield golfers beat Tigers
Despite wet playing conditions, three Northfield golfers shot in the 40s Wednesday afternoon at Timber Ridge Golf Course to lead the Norsemen to a 187-228 victory over the Bluffton Tigers.
Josh Unger finished his nine-hole round with a 44 to take the medalist honors for Northfield. Michael Enslen was next with a 45 and Trae Cole shot a 47.
Bluffton was led by Tyler Mohler with a 50. Sean Ashman carded a 56 and Carson Addington shot a 58 for the Tigers. Ian Betz followed with a 64 and Spencer Barnell shot a 66.
Zac Zumbaugh added a 51 for Northfield, while Austin Vrooman finished with a 55.

Girls’ tennis camp slated at Norwell
The Norwell Girls’ Tennis Camp will be offered each morning June 14-18 for Northern Wells students entering grades 5-9 in 2010-11. Cost is $25, which includes instruction and camp T-shirt. Terri Worden, the Norwell girls’ tennis coach, will conduct the camp. Application forms are available at Lancaster and Ossian Elementary School, Norwell Middle School and Norwell High School in the athletic office. For further information, call 260-543-2213, ext. 7110 or 260-597-7321.

Skyline Drive to close for road repairs

Indiana DNR Release:

Skyline Drive, a popular scenic route through Jackson-Washington State Forest, will be closed temporarily in the coming weeks for emergency repairs to various sections of the road.

The project consists of stabilizing four areas along the five-mile drive. The total length of the repairs will be about 360 feet. The work is expected to take approximately three weeks. The project is being funded by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Skyline Drive is a state-owned road and part of Jackson-Washington State Forest near Brownstown.

It is a popular local and regional attraction due to scenic views of the surrounding forests and countryside from five vistas along the route. Skyline Drive also features a historic fire tower, picnic areas with grills, and the Skyline Shelter House, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and rebuilt recently by local volunteers after arson damaged the original structure.

The public is encouraged to contact the property at (812) 358-2160 for the latest updates on the project and access to Skyline Drive.

Tagged muskie shows up in Oswego Lake

Indiana DNR Release:

NORTH WEBSTER – A 46-inch, 12-year-old muskie tagged in Lake Webster in 2005 was caught May 11 by an angler in Oswego Lake, an 83-acre basin at the west end of Lake Tippecanoe in Kosciusko County.

The fish spent its first seven years of life nearly six miles upstream in Lake Webster before apparently swimming out of the lake sometime over the last five years.

According to the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), fisheries biologists captured the muskie in a trap net on March 31, 2005, in a bay at the southwest corner of Lake Webster near the lake’s outlet.

At that time, the fish was 38.5 inches long and estimated to be seven years old, based on examination of annual growth rings noted on bone samples taken from the fish’s fin.

“We put a small electronic tag in all of the muskies we caught in Lake Webster back in 2005 in order to keep tabs on the survival, growth and movement,” said Jed Pearson, DFW biologist.

“Nearly all of the tagged muskies recaptured since then have been caught in Webster, but several have made their way downstream to the Tippecanoe Lake chain,” he said.

The tags, measuring about a half-inch long with the diameter of pencil lead, were inserted into muscle tissue of the muskies near the dorsal fin. They are similar to tags typically placed in cats and dogs for owner identification and have no effect on the fish.

The tags, however, are not visible to anglers.

So how did the fisherman who caught the wandering Oswego muskie know he had a tagged fish?

Chae Dolsen, local muskie guide in the area, takes with him on fishing trips with clients a battery-operated meter that allows him to read the tag numbers.

“Chae scans the fish he and his clients catch to see if they have tags. Then he reports the numbers and sizes of fish back to us,” Pearson said.

The tags and the tag reader were purchased by the Hoosier Chapter of Muskies, Incorporated, to enable biologists to gather more information on muskie populations in the area.

“We’ve learned a lot about muskie biology through the tagging project,” Pearson said.

“The 46-incher we caught in Oswego was only the second tagged one we’ve caught in Tippy or Oswego,” Dolsen said. “We’ve caught a few tagged ones in James (Little Tippy).”

James Lake is the furthest eastern basin in the Tippy Chain and the first lake downstream from Webster.

“I’m not surprised to see tagged muskies showing up downstream,” Pearson said. “Anglers were catching muskies in Tippy before the mid-1990s when we first started stocking them directly into the lake. Given the amount of food and space, I’m also not surprised to see that some of them are huge.”

DNR stocking programs help trout & salmon tournament

Indiana DNR Release:

A mix of Chinook salmon, lake trout, steelhead, brown trout and coho salmon were caught during the Hoosier Coho Club’s 36th Annual Hoosier Coho Classic on the Lake Michigan waters of Indiana, May 1 and 2.

More than 960 fish were weighed in, prompting Brian Breidert, IDNR’s Lake Michigan biologist, to call this year’s catch one of the best in recent years, topped only by the record-setting weights in the 2009 tournament.

Even though fish were not as large as last year’s, some Chinook weighed up to 17 pounds, lake trout weighed up to 23 pounds, and a pair of brown trout cracked the upper teens in weight. Breidert and his crew collected essential biological data at the weigh-ins. Some 64 boats and more than 300 anglers fished Indiana’s Lake Michigan waters each day.

“Many had been in the area fishing for more than three weeks in preparation,” Breidert said, pointing to the effect on the local economy.

The high numbers registered were no accident. The tournament was held on the tail end of the IDNR stocking program for Lake Michigan, during which more than 500,000 steelhead, 240,000 coho salmon and 233,000 Chinook salmon were released in the northwest Indiana tributaries, the St. Joseph River and Lake Michigan. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released 93,000 lake trout at the harbor in Michigan City last fall and earlier this spring.

Bodine and Mixsawbah state fish hatchery managers Dave Meuninck and Tom Schwartz reported meeting their stocking goals.

“ Our stocking programs help keep the lake ecosystem in check by controlling alewife populations, which in turn provides quality fishing opportunities for anglers fishing for trophy sized trout and salmon,” Schwartz said.

Breidert said plenty fish are left, making for excellent spring fishing in Indiana’s Lake Michigan waters.

Natural Resources Commission meeting, May 18

Indiana DNR Release:

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet May 18 in Indianapolis, at Fort Harrison State Park Inn’s Roosevelt Ballroom, beginning at 10 a.m. EDT. Members of the public are welcome.

Topics on the agenda include:

– Preliminary adoption of amendments governing wild animal rehabilitation permits. The amendments would, among other changes, establish new requirements for becoming a licensed rehabilitator, and strengthen rules regarding housing requirements for keeping such animals.
– Preliminary adoption of amendments governing the use of DNR properties, specifically Redbird State Recreation Area and Interlake State Recreation Area.
– Consideration of a non-rule policy governing prospecting to provide guidelines to prospectors, DNR employees and riparian owners.
– Preliminary adoption of amendments governing the use of cast nets and live gizzard shad, threadfin shad, and alewife as bait for fishing.
– Consideration of nature preserve designation for a 1,300-acre property in Floyd County to be named the Dr. Sherman A. Minton Nature Preserve.
– Consideration of a recommendation to deaccess Ernie Pyle State Historic Site.

For a complete agenda and more extensive background information and these and other topics, see http://www.in.gov/nrc/2354.htm

The NRC is an autonomous board that addresses issues pertaining to the Department of Natural Resources. 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 Fort Harrison State Park Inn is at 5830 N.Post Road in Indianapolis, phone (317) 591-0904.

Sports Round-Up by Paul Beitler

Tigers hammer Canterbury
Backed up by a 14-hit attack, Bluffton sophomore pitcher Maggie Garrett pitched a one-hit, 15-0 shutout against the Canterbury Cavaliers Monday at Fort Wayne.
Garrett struck out seven batters and walked three over five innings and the game was ended by the 10-run rule.
The Class 2A No. 12 Tigers (16-5) were led offensively by Hannah Gilliam with two hits and four runs batted in. Breanna Brickley drove in three runs with two hits and scored. The Tigers also took advantage of 13 walks and three Canterbury errors. Ten of Bluffton’s runs were earned.

Barons upend Norwell in softball
A comeback attempt by the Norwell Knights fell short Monday and the visiting DeKalb Barons pulled out a 7-5 victory in Northeast Hoosier Conference softball.
A three-run home run by Katie Runyon in the sixth inning helped the Knights cut DeKalb’s lead to 6-4, but the Barons closed the door in the last inning.
Norwell (7-11) dropped to 2-3 in the NHC standings. DeKalb (12-7) raised its conference mark to 4-1.
Amanda Western was DeKalb’s winning pitcher, while Norwell’s Kayla Hanni suffered the loss. Hanni gave up two earned runs on nine hits and one walk. She struck out four. The Knights had three errors.
After four innings, the score was tied 1-1. Then, the Barons erupted for five runs in the sixth to take a 6-1 lead.
Norwell had 10 hits, including three by Kelsey Kline, who doubled twice and scored. Ashley Koehlinger added two hits and an RBI. Morgan Chilton, Heather Sterrett, Katelyn Carney and Hanni each singled. Carney also drove in one run. Rachel Lind, Cheyenne Harris and Hanni also scored.
Carley Blevins, Taylor Grayless and Western doubled for DeKalb.

Crusaders win soccer match 8-0
The Norwell boys’ soccer team blanked Indian Springs 8-0 last week in a middle school match.
The Crusaders’ goals were scored by Jalen Smith, Brandon Burch, Keifer Wendel, Sam Crowell, Reggie Hayes, Paxton Lehman, Brett Koogler and Christian Gearhart.
Burch, Crowell, Wendel and Adam Herber had assists. Goalkeeper Jason Meyer had five saves in recording the shutout.

Baer Field Speedway to open
FORT WAYNE — Baer Field Speedway’s 48th season will kick off Saturday night, featuring two 50-lap races for the NAPA Late Models and Modifieds.
The racing program also will include Street Stocks, Mini Stocks and Front Wheel Drives.
Gates will open at 2 p.m., with practice at 3:30, qualifying at 5, and racing at 7:30. Adult admission is $15, children ages 7-12 is $5 and 6-and-under admitted at no charge. Parking is free. 
The speedway is located at 4331 Winters Road in Fort Wayne, one mile south of the airport on Bluffton Road (Ind. 1).

IU signs women’s hoop recruit
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Milika Taufa has signed a national letter-of-intent to play women’s basketball at Indiana.
The 6-foot forward is from Lahaina, Hawaii, and averaged 15.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during her senior season at Lahainaluna High School. She was a two-time all-state selection and was named Most Outstanding Player in the state tournament after leading her school to the title.
She joins Andrea Newbauer and Simone Deloach in this year’s recruiting class.