Van Wert Athletics News

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Welker signing

Jayden Welker signed his letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic (swimming) career at the University of Indianapolis.

Sofi Houg running a relay at state

COLUMBUS — On the biggest stage of them all, two of Van Wert’s relay teams set school records and secured second and third place finishes.

Eggerss Stadium

Work at Eggerss Stadium is on schedule – perhaps even a bit ahead of schedule. That was the word during Wednesday’s meeting of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education.

graduating seniors

Nearly 150 Van Wert High School seniors, members of the Class of 2023, received their diplomas during the school’s 152nd annual commencement exercise on Sunday. Of those graduating seniors, 33 earned honors diplomas.

Tracy Wehner

Van Wert Elementary assistant principal Tracy Wehner was recently chosen as the Ohio Assistant Principal of the Year by the Ohio Association of Elementary Administrators. The award is officially named, “Outstanding Second in Command Administrator.”

VWCS Logo

Check out this year's Quality Profile! 

Monday, May 15, 2023 CEO Program | VWHS Class of 2023
CEO Program
Friday, May 12, 2023 5th Graders Sign with VWMS
5th Graders Sign with VWMS

VWES 5th graders have officially signed their letters of intent as they move on to VWMS next school year!

Departmental Awards

Van Wert High School held its Senior Awards Convocation for the Class of 2023 on Friday, May 5, 2023, in the Saltzgaber Music Hall of the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. 

8th Grade Business Fair

Our 8th grade students have been working hard over the past few weeks, putting their lessons in entrepreneurship to the test. Now, they are excited to showcase their products at our upcoming Business Fair!

Monday, May 8, 2023 Wessell Signs with USF
Wessell signing with USF

Last week, Van Wert High School Senior, Luke Wessell signed his letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic (baseball) career at the University of Saint Francis.

Monday, May 1, 2023 Welch Signs with Wittenberg
Kyra Welch signing LOI

Last week, Van Wert High School Senior, Kyra Welch signed her letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic (basketball) career at Wittenberg University.

 

VWHS CEO Students

A total of 75 high school seniors from Van Wert, Lincolnview, and Crestview and over 60 businesses and organizations were honored at yesterday’s seventh annual CEO Breakfast Banquet.

VWCS BOE Meeting April 2023

The Van Wert City Board of Education approved a three-year administrative contract for longtime science teacher Chuck Rollins as the new high school principal.

softball logo

 Van Wert's still searching for their second win of the season after falling to Miller City 13-5 in non-league action on Thursday night.

Thursday, April 20, 2023 Knights hold off Van Wert 6-4
vwbaseball logo

 A four run second inning and solid pitching by Crestview’s Bryson Penix proved to be crucial as the Knights defeated county rival Van Wert 6-4 on Wednesday.

Thursday, April 20, 2023 Crestview tops Van Wert 6-4
Baseball player

 Crestview scored early and held onto the lead to edge Van Wert 6-4 Wednesday.

softball logo

Van Wert fell in five innings to a strong Wapakoneta team 15-3 on Tuesday night.

track and field pictures

 The Van Wert track teams competed at the Ottawa-Glandorf Invitational on Friday where the boys placed seventh and the girls took third.

Softball logo

Van Wert was defeated twice by Fairview on Saturday.

Saturday, April 15, 2023 Defiance run-rules Van Wert 11-0
Travis Francis of Van Wert

Defiance, as usual, excelled in pitching, hitting, fielding, and baserunning in Friday’s 11-0 six-inning, run-rule win over Van Wert.

Softball logo

 The Lady Cougars dropped a 10-0 run-rule game to Defiance on Friday night.

Tracy Wehner

Ohio Association of Elementary School Administrators (OAESA) annually recognizes elementary and/or middle-level schools and school leaders for their exceptional service to the students and school communities throughout Ohio.

Luke Wessell of Van Wert

Tuesday night’s back and forth battle between Van Wert and Celina came down the final at-bat.

VWCS Softball logo

 The Lady Cougars were unable to complete a late comeback in a 9-7 WBL loss to Celina on Tuesday night.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 VW Cougar netters defeat Bluffton
VW Logo

Wins at first singles and by both doubles teams propelled Van Wert to a 3-2 victory over visiting Bluffton on Monday.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 Cougars run-ruled by Fairview 11-1
VW baseball logo

Van Wert ran into a tough Fairview team and lost 11-1 in six innings on Monday night.

VW baseball

Van Wert split a doubleheader with Napoleon on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, April 9, 2023 Lady Cougars lose to Wayne Trace
Jordanne Blythe of Van Wert

Wayne Trace racked up 35 runs in a pair of high school softball victories Saturday at Jubilee Park in Van Wert as the Lady Raiders posted wins of 18-3 and 17-2 over the host Cougars.

Friday, April 7, 2023 VW Track Meet 04/06 Results
VWHS Logo

 The Van Wert girls finished second at the Ehresman Invitational on Thursday, while the boys’ team placed seventh out of 13 teams.

Friday, April 7, 2023 Tennis: Bath edges Van Wert 3-2
VWHS Logo

Bath defeated Van Wert 3-2 in WBL tennis action on Thursday.

Baseball logo

 The Cougars stayed unbeaten on the season with a 3-1 non-league victory over Heritage on Thursday night.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 McClain Signs with ODU
McClain Signs letter of intent

Van Wert High School Senior, Tyra McClain signed her letter of intent to continue her cross country career at Ohio Dominican University. 

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 Track Roundup: Van Wert
Track Logo

The Van Wert boys and girls teams both took second in a quad meet with St. Marys, Paulding and Defiance on Tuesday night.

TJ Stoller and Luke Wessell of Van Wert

 The Cougars erupted for six runs in the fourth inning and came out with a 7-4 win over Elida in their WBL opener on Tuesday night.

VW Softball

The Lady Cougars struck for a pair of runs in the seventh inning to complete a 5-4 comeback victory over Elida in their WBL opener Tuesday night.

Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Cougars blank Parkway 6-0
Case Stegaman of Van Wert

 Case Stegaman and Kaden Shaffer teamed-up to throw a four-hit shutout, leading the Cougars to a 6-0 win over Parkway on Monday night.

Friday, March 31, 2023 Tennis: Cougars fall to Elida
VWHS Logo

Van Wert opened the Western Buckeye League portion of the schedule with a 5-0 home loss to Elida on Thursday.

Friday, March 31, 2023 Cougars hold off St. Henry 5-3
Damon McCracken of Van Wert

 Van Wert gutted-out their second straight win to open the season 5-3 over a tough St. Henry team on Thursday night.

Bella Ricker of Van Wert

Crestview used one big inning (seven runs in the fourth) en route to a 9-1 win over Van Wert Thursday.

Thursday, March 30, 2023 Eggerss Stadium Renovation
Eggerss Stadium renovation

Eggerss Stadium renovation is well-underway and it all started with rerouting and filling the sanitary lines that previously ran from the north end of the stadium, along the length of the Cougar Pride wall, and continued south underneath our stadium.

Bill Clifton BOE meeting

A longtime administrator in the Van Wert City Schools is calling it a career.

Assistant Superintendent Bill Clifton is retiring at the end of the current school year. His resignation was accepted (reluctantly) during Wednesday’s Van Wert City Schools Board of Education meeting. His resignation will officially take effect July 31, at the end of his current three-year contract.

TJ Stoller of Van Wert

TJ Stoller led the Cougars at the plate and on the mound with a 5-inning no-hitter in Van Wert's season opening 10-0 win over Spencerville on Monday night.

Brenna Bollenbacher of Van Wert

 Parkway opened its softball season Monday with superb pitching, hitting, and fielding performances en route to a 19-0 five-inning run-rule win over Van Wert.

Friday, March 24, 2023 Nate Philips signs to Findlay
Nate Phillips of Van Wert

Nate Phillips of Van Wert recently signed to continue his studies and football career at the University of Findlay.

Friday, March 24, 2023 Baer signs to Baldwin Wallace
Ashton Baer of Van Wert

Ashton Baer of Van Wert recently committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Baldwin Wallace University.

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 The Goedde Boutique Open House
Goedde Boutique

Join us at the Goedde this Saturday, March 25, from 10 AM - 12 PM, noon. "Everyone is welcome and everything is free." 

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 March VWCS Board Meeting Rescheduled
VWCS Logo

The regular monthly meeting of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education, scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, been moved one week to Wednesday, March 29.

Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

The Cougars went down early and battled back late, but ultimately their season ended with a 53-37 loss to Rocky River Lutheran West in Saturday night’s regional title game.

Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

 On paper the Rossford Bulldogs looked almost identical to St. Marys and Defiance, Van Wert's previous two opponents.

Friday, March 10, 2023 It's GREAT to be a Cougar!
Great to be a cougar

From band and choir, to basketball, swimming, and bowling... it's GREAT to be a COUGAR!

Erin Schaufelberger sigs letter of intent

Erin Schaufelberger signed her letter of intent to play basketball at the next level.

Eggerss Stadium

Sealed proposals will be received by Van Wert City Schools in the district office, 205 West Crawford Street, Van Wert, Ohio 45891 until March 30th at 10:00.00 AM, at which time and place proposals will be opened publicly and read aloud. Proposals received after March 30th at 10:00.00 AM will be returned unopened. Proposals shall be for the furnishing of materials and the performance of labor necessary for the:

Bowling

 The Van Wert girls bowling team placed third behind Wapakoneta and Ashland at the Harbor-Port Clinton OHSSA District I bowling tournament.

District Champs

 Van Wert put together four quarters of near-perfect basketball in Saturday night’s Liberty-Benton Division II district final to pull off a stunner over Defiance 69-43.

Friday, March 3, 2023 Proffitt's triple shocks St. Marys
AJ Proffitt of Van Wert

 Everything came down to one shot on one final play, and as time expired in Thursday night's district semifinal, AJ Proffitt nailed that shot, sinking St. Marys as the final buzzer sounded in a 56-55 Van Wert victory.

Andrea Mead

Congratulations to Van Wert High School teacher, Mrs. Andrea Mead, on being selected Ohio Lottery's Teacher of the Month!

Monday, February 27, 2023 Bowling: VW girls off to districts
VW Varsity Girls Bowling

 Van Wert’s girls’ bowling team will compete at districts, after finishing as the runner-up out of 10 teams at the Minster sectionals at Community Lanes on Saturday.

Carson Smith of Van Wert

 Garett Gunter jump-started the Cougars and Carson Smith finished the job in Van Wert's 65-34 sectional title victory on Friday night at Lima Senior High School.

Mark Bagley Board Meeting February 2023

Van Wert City Schools Superintendent Mark Bagley will continue at the helm for the next five years.

Jayden Welker, Coach Hurless and Sam Houg

Senior, Jayden Welker (100 butterfly) and sophomore, Sam Houg (200 freestyle), are heading to OHSAA Division II Swimming State Tournament.

Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

 On a historical Saturday afternoon in the Cougar Den, Aidan Pratt scored his 1,000th career point and Van Wert beat Crestview 66-47 to pick up their second win in less than a 24-hour span.

Saturday, February 18, 2023 Van Wert overpowers Bath 69-41
Carson Smith of Van Wert

With size, experience, and depth advantages, Van Wert was able to overpower Lima Bath Friday night 69-41.

Maria Bagley of Van Wert

 St. Marys and Van Wert came into Thursday night’s Division II Bluffton sectional semifinal with identical records, so everybody was expecting a close one.

VW girls bowling
VW Bowling Boys

Van Wert Cougar Boys' Varsity Bowling team places 5th at WBL Tournament in Wapakoneta on Friday.

Friday, February 10, 2023 Cougars pull out 56-53 win over Elida
Garett Gunter of Van Wert

 In what has become a familiar spot for them on Friday nights, Van Wert played in yet another one-possession game.

Thursday, February 2, 2023 PAWS | Let's Review (1/23/23 - 2/2/23)
PAWS Let's Review this Week Graphic

ICYMI! All your VWCS news in one place.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Cougars United Raises Over $11,000
Cougars United Photo

The United Way of Van Wert County teamed up with Van Wert City Schools to bring Cougars United back for a second year, and for the second consecutive year, it was a big success.

Friday, January 20, 2023 PAWS | Let's Review (1/9/23 - 1/20/23)
Social Media Paws Graphic

ICYMI! All your news in one place PLUS looking ahead at sporting events through 1/28. 

Troy Bowersock, Treasurer

The Van Wert City Board of Education held its organizational meetings and regular January board meeting on Wednesday, electing Scott Mull the new board president, replacing Anthony Adams, and Julie Burenga as board vice president.

Friday, January 6, 2023 PAWS | Let's Review (12/26/22 - 1/6/23)
PAWS Let's Review this Week Graphic

Happy New Year! We are happy to be back with our students and staff. Check out what we've been up to as well as all of our upcoming athletic events for the week! 

Eggerss Stadium renovation

Editor’s note: The VW independent is publishing what it judges to be the Top 10 local stories of 2022. Articles featuring three top stories have been published Wednesday-Friday and the feature concludes today with No. 1.

Friday, December 23, 2022 PAWS | Let's Review (12/5/22 - 12/22/22)
PAWS Let's Review this Week Graphic

It's been a busy few weeks leading up to winter break, 12/23/22 - 1/2/23. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

VWCS Logo

Safety and security within the Van Wert City Schools is getting another boost.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Rivals to Meet in Special Awareness Games
VW with Cougar logo

The Lincolnview Lancers and Van Wert Cougars boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams will meet up on the court on Thursday, December 29, at Lincolnview High School as part of the YWCA’s kickoff to Human Trafficking Awareness month.

Friday, December 2, 2022 Hot-shooting Bath Routs Van Wert 60-33
Maria Bagley basketball

BATH TOWNSHIP — Tall and talented Lima Bath drilled ten 3-pointers in a 60-33 win over Van Wert Thursday night. The Wildkittens are now 5-0, the Lady Cougars 1-1. It was the WBL opener for both teams.