How about those Sardines!
The Bluffton Sardine swim team finished an impressive third place in the Western Ohio Aquatic League championship meet held this weekend in Wapakoneta.
Results are attached at the bottom of this story -
Nearly two-thirds of Bluffton swimmers improved their times since the start of the season.
In an age group breakdown Bluffton placed 1st in the 6 and under and 7-8 short free and short back, and won the combined 8 and Under age group.
Bluffton's 9-10 swimmers placed 2nd overall, and the Sardine 11-12 and 13-14 swimmers took 3rd. Even though Bluffton's 15-18 swimmers were few, they placed 5th overall.
The following are meet record breakers -
Individual Record Breakers
* Brayden Warren broke the WOAL meet record in the 6 & Under 25 Freestyle with a time of 24.00
* Ethan Roby broke the 6 & Under 25 Back record not only for Bluffton, but the WOAL league record in the event with a time of 28.77
* Kari Diller broke the following records:
* 7-8 50 Free with a time of 40.82
* 7-8 25 Back with a time of 21.30
* 7-8 25 Fly with a time of 20.89
* Kari also broke the WOAL meet record in the 25 Freestyle with a time of 18.45
* Levin Essinger broke the 7-8 25 Breaststroke record with a time of 25.45
* Klaira Hohenbrink broke the 7-8 25 Breaststroke with a time of 25.92
* June Essinger broke the following records:
* 9-10 100 Free with a time of 1:17.91
* 9-10 50 Fly with a time of 39.75
* 9-10 100 IM with a time of 1:28.77
* Jackson Bowlus broke the following records:
* 9-10 50 Back with a time of 40.15
* 9-10 50 Free with a time of 32.82
* 9-10 50 Fly with a time of 39.34
* 9-10 100 IM with a time of 1:31.29
* Macy Wilson broke the 11-12 50 Back record with a time of 37.92
* Allison Diller broke the 13-14 50 Breast record with a time of 38.32
* Riley Verb broke the 13-14 50 Breaststroke record with a time of 35.65
* Maria Spallinger broke the following records:
* 15 & Over 50 Breaststroke with a time of 39.29
* 15 & Over 50 Free with a time of 29.82
* 15 & Over 50 Fly with a time of 32.51
* 15 & Over 100 IM with a time of 1:17.04
Relay Record Breakers
Female 8 & Under 100 Medley record was broken with a time of 1:42.31 by the following swimmers:
* Lainey Grandey, Klaira Hohenbrink, Kari Diller, Kelsey Mohr
Female 9-10 200 Free Relay record was broken with a time of 2:34.06 by swimmers:
* Makenna Mohr, June Essinger, Lilly Dagani, Jenna Downey
Male 9-10 Medley record was broken with the following time of 3:11.96 by the following swimmers:
* Sullivan Hasting, Mason Shank, Jackson Bowlus, KJ Hohenbrink
Female 11-12 200 Medley Relay record was broken with a time of 2:37.82 by the following swimmers:
* Macy Wilson, Rory Youngpeter, Izzy Stechshulte, Ella Armstrong
Male 11-12 200 Free Relay record was broken with a time of 2:25.92 by the following swimmers:
* Tyler Cupples, Xavier Diller, John-Paul Yoder, CJ McCall
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Bluffton Middle School Honor Roll for 1st Quarter, 2026-2027
- Bluffton alumni to discuss lives and vocations in ministry
- Letter: Honoring 20 years of land preservation in West Central Ohio
- Prairie restoration research program on Nov. 20
- Bluffton Lions to hear presentation on humanitarian and disaster relief
- Separate the wheat from the chaff: Multi-ingredient botanicals for cholesterol
- Bluffton Council recap: $5,000 donated for Blaze lights installation
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, November 2-8
- Veterans invited to Bluffton American Legion programs on Veterans Day
- James Raymond Harrod, Jr., 64, was a PGA professional
- Nathan Ulrey, 46, served in the Navy Seabees
- Letter: Thank you, Coach Richards
- Big Brothers Big Sisters launches 2026 year-end giving campaign
- Socktober drive collected 659 pairs for local distribution
- Jeanne Previte, 80, owned and operated Jeanne's Kitchen
- Bluffton Elementary Honor Roll for 1st Quarter 2026-2027
- Lego scarecrow earns GROB top honors from voters
- Former Blufftonite is lieutenant governor-elect of South Carolina
- University to stage costume drama that mixes emotion, humor and contemporary references
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll for 1st quarter of 2026-2027
- Nov. 13 chamber program on Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Monday, November 9, 2026
- Healing and life beyond incarceration explored at Forum
- Nov. 12 opportunity to learn Mahjong
- Door hanger craft class at Pandora library, November 17
- BPL after school movie, November 16
- Hailey's Wellness and Massage provide chair massages at Senior Center
- Bluffton area Women in Business Meeting November 19