Bluffton Wins NWC Wrestling Team Championship

Bluffton coach Jeff Richards led his team to victory over rival Crestview at the Northwest Conference Wrestling Tournament.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Bluffton High School wrestling team won the Northwest Conference team championship on Saturday at the tournament held in Columbus Grove, Ohio. Bluffton coach Jeff Richards challenged his athletes to step up their performance in the finals in order to pull away from rival Crestview, who was in contention for the title throughout the tournament.

Why it matters

Wrestling is a popular high school sport in Ohio, and the Northwest Conference tournament is a significant annual event that showcases the top talent in the region. Bluffton's victory demonstrates the strength of their wrestling program and provides them with momentum heading into the postseason.

The details

Bluffton was able to clinch the team title by outperforming Crestview in the finals of the tournament. Coach Jeff Richards had urged his wrestlers to take their performance to another level in order to secure the championship.

  • The Northwest Conference Wrestling Tournament took place on Saturday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Jeff Richards

The head wrestling coach at Bluffton High School.

Crestview High School

Bluffton's rival school, which was in contention for the Northwest Conference wrestling team title throughout the tournament.

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What they’re saying

“I'm thrilled with how we wrestled”

— Jeff Richards, Bluffton Wrestling Coach (Lima Ohio)

The takeaway

Bluffton's wrestling team demonstrated their dominance in the Northwest Conference by winning the team championship, showcasing the strength of their program and providing momentum heading into the postseason.