Wabash’s Jared Brooks shows off his ribbon and the bracket for the 106-pound weight class he won at the New Haven Semi-state
wrestling tourney to advance to the state finals. Photo provided

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

NEW HAVEN -- Two Wabash County wrestlers extended their seasons one more week.

Wabash's Jared Brooks, 106 pounds, and Manchester's Delton Moore, 170 pounds, both qualified for the state finals with their performances this past Saturday, Feb. 9 at the New Haven Semi-State.

Brooks won his weight class four pins on the day.
 

Northfield’s Kyra Kennedy (25) awaits a pass from teammate Kelcie Thomson on Saturday night in the Tipton Regional finals against Blue River. The Lady Norse defeated Blue River to advance to the LaPorte Semistate on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

TIPTON – Senior leadership showed up when Northfield’s girls basketball team needed it most Saturday night.

Senior Ariel Dale scored 14 of her game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, helping propel the Lady Norse to their first regional championship since 1978 with a 55-41 win over Blue River Valley in the championship game of the Tipton Class A Regional.
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Manchester’s boys basketball team defeated Northfield Wednesday night at Manchester, 58-44.

The Squires controlled most of the contest, jumping out to a 15-8 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Northfield pulled to within one of two separate occasions in the fourth quarter, but could never pull ahead.

Weston Hamby led Manchester with 21 points, four rebounds, two blocks and three assists, and Brayden Casper added 18 points and nine rebounds.

For Northfield, Jared Peas led the way with 13 points and five rebounds. Clayton Tomlinson added 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds and six steals. Logan Peas scored seven points and added seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

And, Graydon Holmes added seven points and four rebounds.
 

Logan Vander Velden (center) signs a letter of intent to play football at Missouri Southern State University while his mother, Alee (front row, from left), brother Miles, father, Logan, Wabash Athletic Director Floyd McWhirt, brother Elijah Vander Velden, Apache coach Adam Handley and Principal Kyle Wieland look on. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Joseph Slacian
jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com

Surrounded by family, friends and school administrators, Wabash High School senior Logan Vander Velden signed paperwork to continue his post-high school football career at Missouri Southern State University.

Vander Velden, who was a wide receiver and linebacker for the Apaches, signed the letter of intent during a brief ceremony Friday afternoon, Feb. 8, at WHS.

Jeff Sims took over the Missouri Southern football program in November, and Vander Velden said that is one of the reasons he decided to attend the NCAA Division II university.

“It seemed like a great, new environment,” he told The Paper of Wabash County. “I know they’re going to change things down there. I met some of the guys down there; I’m cool with them. It seems like a really good environment for me to reach my full potential as a football player and a person.”
 

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

Wabash wrestling coach Jake O’Neill has taken the program to heights never before enjoyed in school history this season.

The Apaches claimed their first conference title in program history before claiming the program’s first sectional title since 1992.

And, to top it off, his daughter, Keirsten O’Neill, won an Indiana High School Girls Wrestling state championship in the 160-pound class.

“I’m extremely blessed to be able to share this experience with her,” Jake O’Neill said. “My son, Keegan, decided to play basketball his freshman year, but I’ve got her and my step son (Grant Carandante) to share it with. The sport of wrestling gave me so much in life, I’m very thankful that they got to have the same experience and I get to be right there with them. It’s pretty special.”
 

Northfield’s Ally Keaffaber tries to work her way around Southwood’s Erin Lehner in the sectional championship game Saturday. Photo by Joseph Slacian

By Josh Sigler
jsigler@thepaperofwabash.com

A season ago, Northfield’s girls basketball team entered the sectional as heavy favorites only to be upended by Tri-Central in the title contest.

The Class A No. 4-ranked Lady Norse made that heartbreak a distant memory Saturday night, routing county rival Southwood 58-31 to claim the program’s first sectional title since 1980.

“It’s awesome,” Northfield coach Melissa Allen said. “The girls have worked hard all season to get to this. I just couldn’t be prouder of them. We didn’t really think about (the Tri-Central loss). We took it one game at a time. Last night was last night, and tonight was a new night. We were ready to go.”
 

Wabash’s Alivia Short attempts to get a shot off against an Oak Hill defender. Photo by Don Hurd

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

NORTH MANCHESTER --  The adage, “Regular season records don't matter. At tournament time, everyone is 0-0” was showcased Saturday night in the Sectional 37 semifinal game between Manchester and Lewis Cass.

The host Squires entered the game with a 16-7 record, set to face the 1-21 Kings.

Manchester appeared to have the game in hand with a 17-10 first quarter lead, but Cass used a 7-0 run to open the second quarter and it it up at 17-17.

The Kings never went away, but the Squires held on for a 45-39 win to advance to the championship game played Monday, Feb. 4 against Oak Hill.
 

Wabash’s Anthony Long attempts to take down an opponent Saturday at the Peru wrestling regional. Photo by Eric Christiansen

By Eric Christiansen
echristiansen@nmpaper.com

PERU -- Wabash 106 pounder Jared Brooks leads a group of eight Wabash County wrestlers to semi-state in Fort Wayne this weekend.

Brooks won the 106 pound weight class and was the county's only champion at the Peru wrestling regional on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Brooks started the day with wins by pin over Oak Hill and Kokomo, then won the championship round with an 11-0 major decision over Maconaquah.

Also advancing for Wabash in third place was Ethan Higgins at 120 pounds.