By JOSH BURRIS
2022 Greenbear Photography 
2022 Greenbear Photography
2022 Greenbear Photography 
2022 Greenbear Photography
Bluffton’s girls’ and boys’ track teams both defeated their Wells County rivals Norwell and Southern Wells in the Wells County Championship meet on Thursday at Fred F. Park Field.
The Lady Tigers scored 73 points and were led by seniors Leslie Sprankles and Ryleigh Johnson, and junior Lauren Reiff.
Sprankles took first place in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 meter runs, while Johnson was a winner in the 200 and 400 meter dashes, and Reiff won the shot put and discus.
With the win, Bluffton picked up a win over Norwell – which scored 63 points – for the first time since 1997.
Coach Tara Cocanower, who is a Norwell alum, said the county meet always means a lot to her, but that Thursday it was all about her girls.
“Leslie Sprankles and Ryleigh Johnson showed their strength and experience tonight. Lauren Reiff once again tosses the disc over 122 and won shot put,” Cocanower said. “But to see the underclassmen pushing themselves for every point and Elsa Corkwell running her heart out in the hurdles and all our runners pushing through the win, I’m so proud of them all.”
It was senior night and all seniors from the three schools were recognized before the meet began.
Corkwell, one of those seniors, finished second in the 100 meter hurdles and third in the 300 hurdles. Fellow senior Alexandria Mackenzie took second behind Reiff in both the discus and shot put.
“It was our senior night and to see Ryleigh, Elsa, Leslie, and Alexandria all lead by example tonight makes tonight mean even more,” Cocanower added. “Those four girls are special and they are the heart of the team.”
Other top finishers for Bluffton were Haley Gibson taking second in the long jump and Rosa Chichava third, Olivia Pula taking third in high jump, Layla Larkey taking third in shot put, Corina Rader taking third in the discus, and Maryn Schreiber taking third in the 800 meter run.
Bluffton’s boys won with 88 points and were led by seniors Gus Martinez, Markis Crosbie, and Carter McConnell. Martinez and Crosbie each won four events, and McConnell won three.
Martinez was the winner of the 110 and 300 meter hurdles, 100 meter dash, and long jump. Crosbie won the 800 and 1,600 meter runs as an individual and was a member of 4×400 and 4×800 meter relays that also took first.
Jude Baumgartner, Andrew Hunt, and Carter McConnell joined Crosbie in the 4×400, and Baumgartner, Sam Baumgartner, and Tyler Godwin teamed up with Crosbie to win the 4×800.
McConnell was also a winner in the 200 and 400 meter dashes, and Johnny Cruz won the shot put.
“I’m super proud of our kids and the way that they performed tonight. Total team effort in all areas. Strong performances in the jumps, throws, hurdles, sprints, and distance,” Kunkel said. “Gus Martinez winning four events, Markis Crosbie winning four, Carter McConnell winning the 200, 400, and 4×4, that’s the type of performance you want from your seniors.”
Second place finishes for Bluffton included Godwin in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs, Cameron Farmer in the shot put, and Tavin Frees in the discus.
Finishing third for Bluffton were Jude Baumgartner in the 400 meter dash, Hunt in the 300 meter hurdles, Levi Johns in the 800 meter run, Sam Baumgartner in the 3,200 meter run, Hutch Craighead in the long jump, and Jacob Landis in the discus.
The Lady Knights were led by Claire Bailey, who took first place in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Makenzie Fuess won the 100 meter dash and long jump and took second in the 200 meter dash.
Norwell also won all three relays.
Bailey, Maddie Reinhard, Addy Archbold, and Ali Riley won the 4×400.
Reinhard, Archbold, Emerson Meredith, and Haleigh Reinhard won the 4×800 meter relay.
Lily Hank, Fuess, Ainsley Melcher, and Kaylee Anderson won the 4×100 meter relay.
Second-place finishes included Maddie Reinhard in the 300 meter hurdles, Haleigh Reinhard in the 800 meter run, and Archbold in the 400 meter dash. Taking third for Norwell were Makenzie Kahn in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs, Maeli Cassel in the 400 meter dash, Allie Shepherd in the 100 meter hurdles, and Riley in the 100 meter dash.
The Norwell boys scored 63 points.
The Knights took first in the 4×100 meter relay with Timothy Bonjour, Noah Fromm, Travon Stoppenhagen, and Parker Stringer.
Zach Waldman also took first in the 3,200 meter run, Winston Frauhiger won the high jump, and Kyle Zeddis won the discus and took third in shot put.
Stoppenhagen was second in both the 100 and 200, and Bonjour finished third in both events.
Jake Parker was second in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles. Drew Ringger was second in the high jump and long jump. Marin Melcher was second in the 800 meter run. Bobby Kwandrans was second in the 400 meter dash.
Kellen Zimmer was third in high jump, and Andrew Eubank was third in 110 hurdles.
The Lady Raiders came in third with 20 points. Brooke Tonner won the high jump and was followed by Allison Barger in second.
Sydney McFarren was second in the 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs. Zoe Solga was second in the 100 meter dash and third in the 200.
The Raider boys scored just five points.
Top finishers included Potter Garrett taking third in the 1,600 meter run, Joshua Bricker taking fourth in the 3,200 meter run, and Perrin Gates taking fourth in the discus.
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