BHS track tradition reaching 100 seasons

The 1926 team was Bluffton's second-ever track team

Bluffton High School's outstanding track and field tradition is closing in on 100 seasons. Here's the 1926 BHS boys' and girls' track squads, champions of the Allen County meet.

Two members of this squad had outstanding careers following high school. Sherm Shelley eventually toured the world with Lowell Thomas as his projectionist. Ike Geiger became the first-ever athletic director of MIT, Boston.

1925-26 Bluffton HS boys’ and girls’ track teams

This is the second year for the BHS track teams and Bluffton won the Allen County meet, which was also the second year the county meet was held.

Other teams were LaFayette, Harrod, Gomer, Beaverdam and Elida.

Team members, front row from left, Guy Scoles, Beatrice Burkholder, Francis Amstutz, Ethel Moore, Kathryn Lugibill, Samuel Diller, Florence Hahn and Maurice Herr.

Second row from left, Olive Locher, Margaret Shawan, coach and Helen Maxwell.

Third row from left, George Stultz, student manager, Mae Iler, Ivan Geiger, Kenneth Gallant, Catherine Warren, Sherm Shalley and Stanley Basinger, student manager.

Top from left, Manager Steiner, Dennis Zimmerman, Clarence Hostettler, Emory Benroth, Roy Herr and Coach Pearsall.