FROM BLUFFTON ICON - With an expected attendance of more than 2,500 people, the Western Ohio Aquatics League (WOAL) swim championships will return to the Village of Bluffton Friday and Saturday, July 8-9. Bluffton is the host site for the WOAL every three years.
“We are excited to be the host pool for the 2016 WOAL swim champs,” said Jennie Wilson, president of the Bluffton swim team. “The WOAL summer swim program has more than 600 swimmers across eight teams, and with these swimmers come families, friends and grandparents.
A large crowd was on hand Thursday in Ada when the Ada Gators took on the Bluffton Sardines. Here's two views from the top of the slide. (Monty Siekerman photos)
The Ohio Northern women's tennis team has been named a 2016 Academic All-American Team by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for the 2015-16 season.
This marks the 13th time in the last 15 years ONU has been honored.
In addition, seniors Elise Smith and Taryn Stromback and sophomore Lynn Kelly were named Scholar Athletes by the ITA.
Smith posted a 13-6 singles mark, a 14-5 doubles record and a 27-11 overall record in her one season on the Polar Bear roster.
The Ohio Northern football team is ranked No. 10 in the 2016 Sporting News College Football magazine preseason poll and is No. 11 in the Lindy's Sports College Football preview magazine preseason poll.
ONU junior linebacker Zach Schmerge was also named a Preseason All-American by the Sporting News. Schmerge was named Third Team All-North Region and First team All-Ohio Athletic Conference as a sophomore last season. He led Ohio Northern and was second in the OAC with 112 tackles in his first season as a starter.
Ada Gators swim team took on Sherwood at a home meet Thursday evening. Ada will face Bluffton on Thursday, June 30, in the last home meet. The pool will close at 4 p.m. that day. The meet will begin at 6 p.m. (Monty Siekerman photo)
Five members of the Ada High School softball team received all-NWC honors this spring.
They include Teyah Sautter, sophomore, first team; Kaiti Newland, sophomore, second team; Olivia Alexander, sophomore, second team; Sydney Newland, sophomnore; honorable mention and Madisyn Goossard, honorable mention.
In voting by Northwest Conference softball coaches for the 2016 softball season senior Jada Preston, a pitcher from Crestview was named Player of the Year. Columbus Grove senior Brooke Hoffman finished second in the balloting with Spencerville sophomore Kara May finishing third.
