Swimming and diving, indoor track and field, men's and women's basketball

By Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant

Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving

HANOVER, Ind. - The Bluffton University swimming and diving team made the long trip to Hanover on Saturday, Jan. 28. A battle with the Panthers served as a final tuneup for the Heartland Conference championships which are slated for February 8-11.

A handful of top two finishes were on the menu for Bluffton's squad Saturday afternoon. Freshman Riley Bruns (Maria Stein/Marion Local) dominated the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:25.99 which places him 3rd all-time at Bluffton. His 39.93 in the 50-yard breaststroke was good for 2nd and it also 3rd all-time for the Beavers. Bruns added a 2nd place showing in the 50-yard freestyle.

Showing out for the women was freshman Sydney Grisier (Bryan) who won the 50-yard backstroke with a 43.36 which is second all-time for the Bluffton women. She added silver medal finishes in the 100-yard backstroke and the 50-yard freestyle.

The HCAC swimming and diving world will descend on Terre Haute, Ind. for the 2023 HCAC Championships from February 8 through February 11.

Men's and Women's Track and Field

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio- On Saturday, Janaury 28, the Bluffton University Track and Field team rolled out and headed to Wittenberg for the 2023 Steemer Showcase. 

In the women's weight throw competition, freshman Paige Smith (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) threw a PR of 8.74m. In addition, junior Amanda Scott (Millbury/Lake) had a big throw, earning a PR of 11.72m.

In the men's competition, senior Michael Lindhorst (Lindsey/Woodmore) had an amazing throw, putting him in 10th place and setting a new PR of 13.64. Senior Henry Wright (Wooster) also had a great performance, setting a new PR of 13.59m.

In the women's shot put, sophomore Ayanna Mackey (Dayton/Northridge) gave it her all, earning a PR of 10.12m. Her teammate, junior Maggie Hartzler (Rittman/Norwayne), tied her PR in shot put with a big throw of 9.64m.

Flying across the line and earning quick new PR's in the men's 200 meter dash was junior Desmond Gist (Detroit, Mich./Trenton), finishing with a time of 22.94 seconds, followed by his teammate, sophomore Russell Lough (Wintersville/Indian Creek) who set a new PR with a time of 22.95 seconds.

Lough also had an incredible performance in the men's 400 meters, striding across the line in 5th place and earning a PR of 50.48 seconds. Junior Blayden McCoy (Fresno/Ridgewood) also had an outstanding 400 meter race, setting a new PR of 51.60 seconds.

In the women's 3K race, sophomore Basil Gates (Galion) flew across the line setting a PR of 12:06. Finishing closely behind Gates was sophomore Olivia Daugherty (Bradford) setting a PR of 12:12.

In the men's 3k race, sophomore Cole Kropka (New London) had an outstanding day, setting a new PR of 9:30.

Finally, in the men's mile race, sophomore Braeden Horn (Galion) had an incredible performance, setting a new PR of 5:02.

Women's Basketball

The Bluffton University women's basketball team ran into a buzzsaw in #2 nationally-ranked Transylvania University on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Bluffton fell to 12-7 overall and 7-6 in the Heartland Conference, while the Pioneers stayed perfect at 19-0 and 12-0 in HCAC action.

Bluffton finished 15-of-51 (29.4 percent) from the field, including a paltry 2-for-11 (18.2 percent) on triples. The Pioneers also struggled from the field, making just 23-of-72 (31.9 percent), but a 6-of-10 first quarter from deep proved to be enough. Transy pulled down five more rebounds (46-41) and the visitors also forced the Beavers into 13 more turnovers (20-7). The Pioneers finished with a 28-16 edge in paint points.

The Beavers are back in the Sommer Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, when Bluffton welcomes Mount St. Joseph. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Men's Basketball

The Bluffton University men's basketball team dipped to 4-15 overall and 2-10 in the HCAC after they falling to Transylvania 67-43 in a home matchup on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Transy moved above .500 as the Pioneers now stand 10-9 overall and 7-5 in the Heartland Conference.

Bluffton was not very efficient scoring the ball as the home team shot just 15-of-50 (30 percent) from the field, including only three total treys on 21 attempts (14.3 percent). The visiting team drained 29-of-65 (44.6 percent) with six triples on 22 attempts (27.3 percent). Transy won the battle of the boards (40-32) and in the paint (34-20).

Bluffton hits the road when the Beavers travel to Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday, Feb. 1, to continue conference play. Bluffton looks to get back in the win column as tip off is set for 7:30 p.m. in Cincinnati.