By Cort Reynolds
VAN WERT - The Bluffton boys cross country team finished fourth in the seven-team Northwest Conference championship meet at the Van Wert Reservoir Saturday morning.

Columbus Grove defended its boys team title with just 23 points. Lincolnview was second (45), followed by Crestview (86), Bluffton (105), Allen East (133), Paulding (143) and Ada (211).

Freshman Erik Nygaard posted the top Pirate showing, finishing a strong seventh out of 95 runners in 18:08. Junior Elijah Conley crossed the finish line 13th in 18:20.1.

The average Bluffton time was a solid 19:24.6. The young Pirates have no seniors, and seven of their top nine at the NWC meet were freshmen or sophomores.

Sophomore Caleb Stechschulte of Columbus Grove won the individual league title in 17:17.2.

Grove also won the five-team league girls title for the fourth straight season with 26 points. Crestview was second with 57, followed by Lincolnview (65), Spencerville (101) and Paulding (130).

Bluffton individual finishers:
Place Runner Time
7th Erik Nygaard 18:08.0
13th Elijah Conley 18:20.1
39th Isaiah Conley 19:53.3 26
40th Sam Derstine 19:58.2
52nd Trey Boblitt 20:43.4
73rd Jonah Rehm 22:44.0 42
74th Carter Dyar 22:47.3
81st Caleb Mckenzie 23:51.2
82nd Carter Dailey 24:02.7

NWC team results:
1st Columbus Grove 23 points
2nd Lincolnview 45
3rd Crestview 86
4th Bluffton 105  Average: 19:24.60
5th Allen East 133
6th Paulding 143
7th Ada 211

The Pirates run next in the Div. III district meet Saturday morning, October 19 at Columbus Grove. A total of 23 boys teams will compete in two races.

The Pirates run next in the Div. III district meet Saturday morning, October 19 at Columbus Grove. A total of 23 boys teams will compete in two races.

In the boys races, the top three teams and those individuals not on a qualifying team who finish in the top 12 positions of each race will advance to the regional meet in Tiffin Oct. 26.