In just his second year as head coach of the Ohio Northern men's basketball program, Rich Bensman had the Polar Bears vying for an Ohio Athletic Conference in 2017-18.
Despite being picked to finish sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference coaches preseason poll prior to the season, Northern posted its best season in 11 years on its way to a trip to the OAC Tournament Championship game.
The Polar Bears finished the season with a 19-9 record, its most wins since the 2006-07 ONU men's basketball team compiled 19 wins. Northern gave a solid effort in the OAC regular season race, finishing third in the conference standings with a 12-6 mark in the OAC.
What are those giant dark birds soaring in circles overhead?
They are turkey vultures—very important, graceful and clean wild residents in our northwest Ohio sky. Find out about these valuable helpers during “Discovery Stories: Turkey Vultures” at the Richard S. “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center at Oakwoods Nature Preserve on Monday, April 2.
Hancock Park District’s Katie Mehlow will read a story and play a game to see if you can smell as well as a vulture.
Children ages three to five with an adult, as well as other aged siblings, are welcome to attend programs at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. “Discovery Stories: Turkey Vultures” is free and registration is not required.
WOOSTER — The Ohio Northern softball team swept Wooster 5-0, 5-0 and moved its winning streak to five straight games on Wednesday afternoon at Galpin Park.
The Polar Bears improve to 15-3 overall, while the Scots drop to 7-11.
Senior Kirsten Lightel (Tallmadge) and junior Kaitlin Surdej (Lancaster/Central) each pitched complete game victories for ONU in the pitchers circle.
Lightel moves to 8-1 on the season, while Surdej is now 7-2.
Ada students and teachers donated blood last week during an American Red Cross Bloodmobile visit. Donations are urgently needed due to emergencies the past few months and bad weather keeping donations at a minimum.
Junior Austin Frey of Peoria, Ariz., and a solid effort from the Northern defense led the Ohio Northern baseball team to a 4-2 victory over area-rival Defiance on Wednesday afternoon during an overcast and damp day at Wander Field. With their second straight victory, the Polar Bears move to 12-6 overall, while the Yellow Jackets drop to 6-7.
Gospel singing and fun puppets entertained residents of Ada Vancrest on Wednesday afternoon. Brenda Scott (left) of Kenton and Glenna Lowmaster of Ridgeway sang many old familiar hymns while residents joined them in song. The ladies have been entertaining at half a dozen nursing homes for the past six years. “We like to bring joy into lives,” they agreed. “When they smile, we smile.” Brenda and Glenna are members of Victory Chapel of Praise near Alger.
