Van Wert Athletics News

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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.

Boys district champs

OHSAA Boys Regional Basketball Tournament Information - BGSU. The ticket link is below.

Monday, March 6, 2023 2 HOUR DELAY ON FRIDAY, MARCH 10
VWCS logo

VWCS will be operating on a 2 hour delay on Friday morning.

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.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Trio of Lady Cougars earn WBL Honors
Kyra Welch Of Van Wert

Kyra Welch made the WBL's first team, Sofi Houg was named to the league's second team and Maria Bagley earned an honorable mention in the WBL's recently released list of all-league teams and honors.

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Pratt, Wessell earn WBL honors
Luke Wessell of Van Wert

Aidan Pratt was named to the WBL's first team and Luke Wessell earned an honorable mention in the conference's recently release list of all-league teams and honors.

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.

VWCS Logo

Van Wert City Schools, in correlation with Ohio Revised Code 3313.64 or 3313.65, will again permit students from any Ohio school district to apply for Open Enrollment in the Van Wert City Schools system for the 2023-2024 school year.  

VW girls bowling
VW Bowling Boys

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

Saturday, February 11, 2023 VW Wrestling Roundup
VW Logo

 Van Wert’s Joaquin Estrada won the 106 pound championship at the Western Buckeye League wrestling tournament at Elida on Saturday. 

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.

Tuesday, February 7, 2023 Houg and Welch lead Van Wert over LCC
Sofi Houg of Van Wert

Van Wert pulled away from Lima Central Catholic in the fourth quarter for a 56-44 win Monday night.

The Lady Bowlers

From Saturday morning through Saturday afternoon, the Cougar Bowlers fought to win the 2023 Commodore Invitational Championships, ultimately resulting in the Lady Bowlers gaining the title. 

Friday, February 3, 2023 VW Cougar wrestlers defeat Kenton
VWHS Logo

On Senior Night at Van Wert High School, the Cougars defeated Kenton 54-27.

Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

 For the first 13 minutes of Friday night’s Van Wert/Kenton basketball game, the Cougars seemed to be in trouble.

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.

Thursday, February 2, 2023 Lady Cougars take down Kenton 57-48
Basketball Logo

The Lady Cougars took down Kenton 57-48 on Thursday night.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Blue Jays shoot past Van Wert 48-45
Garett Gunter of Van Wert

The shooters from St. John's buried eight threes and pulled out a 48-45 non-league victory over Van Wert on Tuesday night.

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.

Monday, January 30, 2023 Cougar bowlers split with Shawnee
Bowling

Van Wert High School’s bowling teams traveled to 20th Century Lanes in Lima to take on Shawnee on Saturday and the Cougar girls took off hot, rolling a 868 team game, opening a large lead before holding on for a 2298-2258 win.

Monday, January 30, 2023 Cougar swimmers compete at WBL meet
Haley Chiles of Van Wert

 The Van Wert swim team traveled to Napoleon High School for the annual Western Buckeye League Championships involving all ten member schools on Saturday.

Saturday, January 28, 2023 Cougars win thriller over Shawnee 60-55
Garett Gunter of Van Wert

 With five recent two-point losses, including Van Wert’s last three WBL games, some fans may have been thinking deja vu at Lima Shawnee Friday night. 

Thursday, January 26, 2023 Van Wert defense thwarts Shawnee 48-31
Sofi Houg of Van Wert

Domination of the second and fourth quarters led Van Wert to a 48-31 win over Lima Shawnee Thursday night.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Cougars pull away from Parkway 64-45
Nate Phillips of Van Wert

Parkway hung with Van Wert, but not for long in a 64-45 victory for the Cougars in non-league action on Tuesday night.

Sunday, January 22, 2023 Van Wert falls to Coldwater
Basketball Logo

In Saturday night basketball action, Van Wert fell to Coldwater and both Crestview and Spencerville picked up non-league wins.

Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

 In what could quite possibly turn out to be the game of the year, Hunter Stechschulte buried a go-ahead three with 16 seconds left in double overtime and Ottawa-Glandorf came out on top in a 64-62 battle over Van Wert on Friday night.

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. 

Friday, January 20, 2023 Lady Cougars overwhelmed by OG 62-34
VWHS Logo

 On Thursday night, Ottawa-Glandorf raced back from an early deficit to down visiting Van Wert 62-34.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 VW Cougar bowlers take down O-G
Bowling Logo

Van Wert bowlers enjoyed a sweep of Ottawa-Glandorf at Olympic Lanes on Monday, with the boys winning 2691-2515 and the girls posting a 2437-2137 victory.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Lady Knights throttle Van Wert 46-34
Maria Bagley of Van Wert

 Crestview led Monday night’s intra-county rivalry from start to finish in a 46-34 win over Van Wert.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Van Wert overpowers Bryan 68-44
Nate Phillips of Van Wert

 After four straight close games, three of them losses, Van Wert deserved a decisive win.

Saturday, January 14, 2023 5-0 day…
Keaton Sudduth of Van Wert

Van Wert’s Dennis (Keaton) Sudduth went 5-0 in the 145 pound weight class at the Coldwater Sielski Wrestling Invitational on Saturday.

Carson Smith of Van Wert

 In their fourth consecutive close game, the Cougars fell just shy of knocking off Austin Parks and St. Marys Roughriders in a 62-60 loss on Friday night.

Sofi Houg of Van Wert

 St. Marys visited Van Wert on Tuesday night and spoiled a big night for Sofi Houg and the Lady Cougars by handing them a 43-35 loss.

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.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Lady Cougars beat Paulding
VW Girls Basketball

 Kyra Welch and Sofi Houg each scored 23 points to lead Van Wert to a 63-26 non-conference win at Paulding on Tuesday.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Cougars battle past LCC in OT 61-56
Luke Wessell of Van Wert

Van Wert evaded some free throw troubles and the potential of a three-game losing skid with a 61-56 overtime victory over LCC on Tuesday night.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 VW’s Sudduth leads Cougar wrestlers
VWHS Logo

Van Wert finished 11th out of 15 teams at the highly regarded Bill Kerbel Invitational at New Haven High School on Saturday.

Saturday, January 7, 2023 Flyers nip Cougars at the buzzer 59-57
Garett Gunter of Van Wert

 A large crowd was treated to a well-played thriller Saturday night as host Marion Local topped Van Wert 59-57 on a put-back at the buzzer by muscular 6’9 junior Jack Knapke.

Friday, January 6, 2023 Courter sinks Van Wert in OT 46-44
Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

 Jackson Courter made good on the second chance of a lifetime in Wapak’s 46-44 overtime win over Van Wert on Friday night.

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! 

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Balanced Cougars top Grove 69-54
Carson Smith of Van Wert

 Four Van Wert players finished the game in double figures and the Cougars beat Columbus Grove 69-54 to pick up their fourth straight victory on Tuesday night.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Once-beaten Bryan edges Van Wert 38-35
Kyra Welch Of Van Wert

 Van Wert came oh-so-close to pulling off an upset Tuesday night, but Bryan made the big plays in the fourth quarter to escape the Cougar Den with a 38-35 win.

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 30, 2022 Cougars take care of Lincolnview 64-38
Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

 As many might have expected, Lincolnview was no match for Van Wert in a 64-38 blowout victory for the Cougars on Thursday night.

VWHS Logo

Delphos Jefferson pulled away from Van Wert in the middle two quarters Tuesday night en route to a 63-50 win.

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! 

Thursday, December 22, 2022 Coldwater defense stymies Van Wert 47-35
Maria Bagley of Van Wert

The Coldwater defense stymied Van Wert during the first half Thursday night, rolling to a 31-14 lead, then holding on for a 47-35 win.

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Big stop helps Van Wert hold off Ottoville
Nate Phillips of Van Wert

 It came right down to the nitty gritty on Tuesday night as Van Wert was able to hold Ottoville off in the final seconds to pick up a 59-57 victory.

Jordanne Blythe of Van Wert

Van Wert got big scoring contributions from unexpected sources Monday night en route to a 57-32 win over Delphos St. John’s.

Monday, December 19, 2022 Cougars rally again to beat Wayne Trace
Carson Smith of Van Wert

For the second straight season, the Van Wert Cougars rallied from a double-digit halftime deficit to defeat Wayne Trace 58-55 Saturday night at the ‘Palace’.

Monday, December 19, 2022 Lady Cougars fall late to Marion Local
Sofi Houg of Van Wert

The Van Wert girls just couldn't hang on in a slow-paced 34-30 loss to Marion Local on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday, December 18, 2022 2022 Volleyball Banquet
2022 Volleyball Banquet

A banquet was held recently for the Van Wert Lady Cougar Volleyball team.

Saturday, December 17, 2022 Cougars nipped by Defiance 51-44
Garett Gunter of Van Wert

The Cougars battled back out of an early hole, but Caden Zachrich and the Defiance Bulldogs proved to be too strong on Friday night in a 51-44 down to the wire loss

Friday, December 16, 2022 Cougar wrestlers notch win at Defiance
vwhs logo

Van Wert excelled in the middle and upper weights to defeat Defiance 51-27 in a Western Buckeye League dual match on Thursday. Below are the results.

Friday, December 16, 2022 Welch leads Lady Cougars past Defiance
Kyra Welch Of Van Wert

The Lady Cougars used a 21-point performance from Kyra Welch and a strong second half to pick up a 44-34 WBL victory over Defiance on Thursday night.

VWCS Logo

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

Kyra Welch Of Van Wert

 It wasn’t a pretty win by any means but Van Wert will take it as the Lady Cougars grabbed their first lead of the game with 3:11 remaining and then held on to post a 29-26 win over Wayne Trace Tuesday night in non-league girls basketball play at the ‘Palace.’

Monday, December 12, 2022 Van Wert holds off Kalida 48-44
Carson Smith of Van Wert

Van Wert jumped out to a 13-2 lead Saturday night against Kalida, but the game turned into a dogfight from then on, eventually won by the Cougars 48-44. 

Saturday, December 10, 2022 Cougars top Celina in season opener
Aidan Pratt of Van Wert

Van Wert started the night with 13 straight points and flew past Celina 51-29 in their season opener on Friday.

Sofi Houg of Van Wert

 A sticky Van Wert defense and 21 points from senior Sofi Houg carried the Cougars to a 44-35 win over Celina Thursday night.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022 VW Cougar bowlers fall to Celina
VWHS Logo

Celina swept Van Wert in Western Buckeye League bowling action at Olympic Lanes on Monday.

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.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 Class of 1986 Donates to Eggerss Stadium
Class of 1986 Donates to Eggerss Stadium

The 1980s. MTV was about to reshape the world of pop culture. The computer age took off in a way no one could predict. Blockbuster movies became all the rage. Toward the middle of the decade, a group of up and comers was about to graduate. The Van Wert class of 1986 was about to make a statement in the world beyond high school.

Saturday, November 26, 2022 VWHS bowling scores
Makenna Nagel of Van Wert

Van Wert bowlers split match with Parkway.

Friday, November 18, 2022 PAWS | Let's Review (11/1/22 - 11/18/22)
PAWS Let's Review this Week Graphic

We've been staying busy at VWCS. Check out what we've been up to! 

School at the Goedde feast

We are thankful! Students at Van Wert School at the Goedde celebrated Thanksgiving by hosting families and community partners for the second year in a row. 

Greg Blackmore BOE Meeting

School safety and security and work at Eggerss Stadium were two of several topics addressed during Wednesday’s meeting of the Van Wert City Schools Board of Education.

VWCS Bus Drivers

As National School Bus Safety week comes to an end, the Van Wert City School District would not only like to emphasize the importance of bus safety, but also take the time to recognize and honor the drivers who often transport more than 900 students on a daily basis.

Project Adam Ohio logo

Van Wert City Schools is proud to announce that all five buildings that make up the district have been designated as Heart Safe Schools by Project ADAM. Van Wert Elementary was the first to earn the Heart Safe Designation in March 2022.

Photo of Assistant Superintendent Bill Clifton discussing safety during Wednesday’s school board meeting

The safety of students and staff is a top priority in the Van Wert City Schools district. That was the message delivered during Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting.

Thursday, September 29, 2022 Homecoming Parade…
Photos of students at the homecoming parade.

Members of the Van Wert High School football team, homecoming queen candidates Maria Bagley, Sofi Houg and Tyra McClain, and the Cougar Pride Marching Band all took part in Wednesday night’s homecoming parade.