Western Buckeye League

Centered in Lima, Ohio, the Western Buckeye League is an OHSAA athletic league located in northwest Ohio and includes schools in Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert counties. The league's school district boundaries also include portions of Logan, Paulding, Shelby, and Wyandot counties. The WBL originally formed in 1936 and is one of the oldest high school conferences in the state. The Western Buckeye League currently awards championships in 13 Varsity sports: baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling. An academic bowl tournament for the schools in the league began annually in 2004.

Western Buckeye League
ClassificationOHSAA Division II
Region Ohio
Sports fielded13 (11 men, 10 women)
Founded1936
Members
No. of members10
Map
The member schools of the Western Buckeye League

While the WBL consists of larger schools and spreads over a larger area, it is geographically located in the same area of the state as the Midwest Athletic Conference. Most schools out of both leagues typically host hotly contested matchups in nearly every sport.

Current members

School Nickname Location Colors Type Join Date
Bath Wildcats Lima Columbia Blue, Gold
   
Public 1989
Celina Bulldogs Celina Green, White
   
Public 1936
Defiance Bulldogs Defiance Royal Blue, White
   
Public 1973
Elida Bulldogs Lima Orange, Black, Gold
     
Public 1971
Kenton Wildcats Kenton Red, White
   
Public 1942
Ottawa-Glandorf Titans Ottawa Navy, Gold
   
Public 1967
Shawnee Indians Lima Red, Black
   
Public 1952–1967, 1981
St. Marys Roughriders St. Marys Blue, Gold
   
Public 1936
Van Wert Cougars Van Wert Red, Gray
   
Public 1936
Wapakoneta Redskins Wapakoneta Red, White
   
Public 1936

Former members

High School Location Joined WBL Tenure of Membership Charter Member Current League(s)
Bellefontaine High School Bellefontaine, Ohio 1936 1936–1965 Yes Central Buckeye Conference - Kenton Trail Division
Bluffton High School Bluffton, Ohio 1936 1936–1957 Yes Northwest Conference
Coldwater High School Coldwater, Ohio 1957 1957–1973 No Midwest Athletic Conference
Delphos St. John's High School Delphos, Ohio 1971 1971–1982 No Midwest Athletic Conference

Membership history

The current member schools of the Western Buckeye League.

1940s

  • The charter members of the league in 1940-1941 were Bellefontaine, Bluffton, Celina, St. Marys, Van Wert and Wapakoneta.
  • Kenton entered the league in 1942.

1950s

  • Shawnee entered the league with the 1952-1953 Basketball Season.
  • Bluffton left the league in football after the 1952 season.
  • Bluffton left the league in all sports after the 1956–1957 season to join the Northwest Conference.
  • Coldwater entered the league in the 1957–1958 season.

1960s

  • Bellefontaine left the league after the 1964–1965 season to join the Central Buckeye Conference.
  • Bath entered the league beginning with the 1965-1966 Basketball Season.
  • Shawnee left the league at the end of the 1966-1967 Basketball Season.
  • Ottawa-Glandorf entered the league in the spring of 1967 after withdrawing from the Northwest Conference in football and Putnam County League in all other sports.

1970s

  • Elida and Delphos St. Johns entered the league in December 1971.
  • Coldwater withdrew from the league effective June 1, 1973 to join the Midwest Athletic Conference.
  • Defiance entered the league in September 1973 in all sports. (Defiance 1972-73 WBL meets in CC, Golf, Tennis, and Track)

1980s

  • Delphos St. Johns withdrew from the league August 3, 1981 (effective end of 1981–82 season) to join the Midwest Athletic Conference.
  • Shawnee re-entered the league on October 5, 1981. Played full schedule in 1982–1983.

2000s

  • In 2009, Napoleon decided they would leave the Greater Buckeye Conference for the Northern Lakes League and Sandusky decided they would join the Northern Ohio League. The GBC quickly dwindled down to four schools, leaving Findlay, Fremont Ross, Lima Senior, and Marion Harding out in the cold.
  • On March 11, Lima Senior sent a letter to the WBL in hopes of expanding.
  • On April 1, the WBL responded and denied Lima Senior entry into the league. The letter stated, "The Western Buckeye League (WBL) is not looking to expand at this time and there is no anticipation of any member leaving."

OHSAA state appearances

School Sport State Appearances(state titles in bold)
Lima Bath Girls Basketball
Football
Boys Golf
Softball
Boys Track & Field
Girls Track & Field
Volleyball
Girls Soccer
Wrestling
2012, 2008, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1987
1992, 1989
2015, 2014, 2013, 2005, 1989
2014, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1995, 1993, 1987
1988, 1981
1988
1994, 1992
2014
2016, 2013
Celina Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Football
Softball
Girls Track & Field
Girls Soccer
Boys Soccer

Boys Bowling

1936, 1972
1991, 1988
1998 (Final Four), 1995 (Final Four), 1983 (Title Game)
2008, 1999
2012, 2001, 1995, 1986, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1978
2015
2016

2018

Defiance Baseball
Boys Basketball
Boys Cross Country
Football
Girls Track & Field
Wrestling
2016,2015,2013, 2010, 2002, 1992
1932, 1940, 2015
2013, 2009
1997
1988
1971
Elida Baseball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
B. Tennis
Football
1976, 1958
2012
1997, 1995, 1990
2007, 2006, 2005, 1999, 1979
2006,1982
2011
Kenton Baseball
Boys Basketball
Football
1930, 1998
1924
2014, 2011, 2003, 2002, 2001
Ottawa-Glandorf Baseball
Boys Basketball
Football
Boys Golf
Boys Soccer
Boys Track & Field
Girls Track & Field
Girls Soccer
Girls Basketball
1979
2013, 2012, 2008, 2004, 1996, 1978, 1977
2009
1997
1998
1972, 1971
2015, 2007, 2005, 2002
2014
2018, 2017, 2016, 2014
Lima Shawnee Boys Basketball
Girls Cross Country
Boys Golf
Boys Soccer
Boys Swimming
Girls Swimming
Boys Tennis
Girls Track & Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
2000, 1965
1983, 1982, 1981
2001, 1997
2001
1997
2002, 2001
1996, 1995, 1993, 1987
2006, 2000, 1981
1981
1981
St. Marys Memorial Boys Basketball
Football
Boys Golf
Girls Bowling
Softball
Girls Track & Field
Volleyball
Boys Bowling
1993
2004, 1993, 1992, 1990, 1979, 1978, 1977
2006
2011
2007, 1981
2003, 2002
1998
2017
Van Wert Boys Basketball
Boys Cross Country
Girls Cross Country
Football
Boys Golf
Girls Track & Field
1992, 1990, 1987
1998, 1993, 1988, 1987
2009, 2006, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001
2000
2007, 2004, 2003, 1985
1976
Wapakoneta Baseball
Boys Bowling

Girls Bowling
Girls Basketball
Girls Track & Field
Wrestling

2018, 2012
2017,2014, 2011

2018
2009
2007
2011, 2010, 2000

Boys League Championships

School YearFootballSoccerCross CountryGolfBasketballSwimmingWrestlingBaseballTrack & FieldTennisBowling
1936-37 Bluffton
1937-38 St. Marys, Van Wert Celina
1938-39 Van Wert Bellefontaine
1939-40 Bellefontaine, Celina Bellefontaine
1940-41 Bluffton Bluffton, Celina, Wapakoneta
1941-42 Van Wert Bellefontaine
1942-43 Van Wert Bellefontaine
1943-44 Van Wert Bellefontaine
1944-45 St. Marys Bluffton
1945-46 St. Marys Wapakoneta
1946-47 Bluffton Bluffton
1947-48 Bellefontaine, Van Wert, Wapakoneta St. Marys Celina
1948-49 Kenton Bellefontaine Celina
1949-50 Van Wert Celina St. Marys
1950-51 Van Wert St. Marys Celina
1951-52 Celina Celina, St. Marys Shawnee
1952-53 Van Wert Bellefontaine Celina
1953-54 St. Marys Bellefontaine St. Marys Bellefontaine
1954-55 Van Wert St. Marys Shawnee Kenton
1955-56 Van Wert St. Marys St. Marys Shawnee
1956-57 Van Wert Bellefontaine, Kenton, Wapakoneta Shawnee Kenton, Celina
1957-58 Van Wert Coldwater, St. Marys Bellefontaine, Celina, Coldwater, Shawnee, St. Marys Shawnee
1958-59 Van Wert Bellefontaine St. Marys Kenton
1959-60 Bellefontaine Bellefontaine, Coldwater, Van Wert, Wapakoneta St. Marys Kenton
1960-61 St. Marys Bellefontaine St. Marys Coldwater Kenton
1961-62 Coldwater Bellefontaine Shawnee Shawnee Kenton Bellefontaine
1962-63 Shawnee Kenton Kenton, Shawnee St. Marys Shawnee Bellefontaine
1963-64 Shawnee Shawnee Bellefontaine, Shawnee, St. Marys Wapakoneta Shawnee Wapakoneta
1964-65 Shawnee, Wapakoneta Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Van Wert
1965-66 Celina Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Van Wert
1966-67 Shawnee Kenton Kenton St. Marys Ottawa-Glandorf Van Wert
1967-68 Van Wert Bath Bath Van Wert Bath, Kenton Celina
1968-69 Celina Bath Bath Van Wert Ottawa-Glandorf St. Marys, Van Wert
1969-70 Van Wert Ottawa-Glandorf* Bath Bath Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf St. Marys
1970-71 St. Marys Celina Bath Celina Van Wert Bath Ottawa-Glandorf St. Marys
1971-72 St. Marys Celina Kenton Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Bath, Coldwater Ottawa-Glandorf St. Marys
1972-73 St. Marys Coldwater Bath Celina, Delphos St. John's Ottawa-Glandorf Wapakoneta Defiance Kenton
1973-74 Bath Defiance Bath, Bath~ Celina, Defiance Defiance Bath Defiance St. Marys
1974-75 Bath Elida Bath Delphos St. John's Defiance Bath Elida Wapakoneta
1975-76 Wapakoneta Elida Van Wert Delphos St. John's Defiance Elida St. Marys Delphos St. John's
1976-77 St. Marys Defiance Bath Defiance, Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Defiance Ottawa-Glandorf Delphos St. John's
1977-78 St. Marys Defiance Defiance Defiance, Delphos St. John's Defiance Delphos St. John's, St. Marys, Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf Elida
1978-79 St. Marys Defiance Bath Celina Defiance Delphos St. John's Defiance Elida
1979-80 St. Marys Defiance Van Wert Delphos St. John's Defiance Delphos St. John's, Ottawa-Glandorf, St. Marys Bath Defiance
1980-81 Wapakoneta Defiance, Elida Van Wert Delphos St. John's, Elida, Kenton, St. Marys Defiance Delphos St. John's Elida Celina
1981-82 St. Marys Van Wert Van Wert Delphos St. John's, Ottawa-Glandorf, Wapakoneta Defiance Defiance, Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Bath, Elida
1982-83 Elida Van Wert Shawnee Defiance Defiance Elida Defiance Bath, Celina
1983-84 Celina Celina Kenton Wapakoneta Wapakoneta Defiance, Van Wert Celina Shawnee
1984-85 Bath Celina Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Defiance Celina Shawnee
1985-86 Bath Ottawa-Glandorf, Van Wert Van Wert Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Elida Defiance Shawnee
1986-87 Wapakoneta Defiance Defiance Elida, Ottawa-Glandorf, Van Wert Shawnee Wapakoneta Van Wert Shawnee
1987-88 Kenton, St. Marys, Van Wert Defiance Defiance Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Celina, Elida, Shawnee Elida Shawnee
1988-89 Bath Van Wert Shawnee, Wapakoneta Celina Defiance Defiance Elida Defiance
1989-90 Bath, St. Marys Defiance Elida Shawnee, Wapakoneta Defiance Bath Bath Shawnee
1990-91 St. Marys Celina, Wapakoneta Defiance Elida Elida Defiance Shawnee, Wapakoneta Defiance Shawnee
1991-92 St. Marys Celina Defiance Van Wert Van Wert Defiance Defiance, Elida Celina Shawnee
1992-93 St. Marys Elida, Wapakoneta Defiance Elida Celina Defiance Defiance Shawnee Shawnee
1993-94 St. Marys Elida Van Wert Elida, Kenton Celina Defiance Defiance, Elida Defiance Shawnee
1994-95 Celina Elida St. Marys Defiance Van Wert Defiance Defiance Celina Celina
1995-96 Celina Elida Wapakoneta Bath Ottawa-Glandorf Wapakoneta Wapakoneta Wapakoneta Elida, Shawnee
1996-97 Bath, Defiance, Wapakoneta Elida Van Wert Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Wapakoneta Defiance Celina Elida
1997-98 Defiance Celina Van Wert Elida Elida, Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee Celina Wapakoneta Defiance, St. Marys Van Wert Shawnee
1998-99 Kenton Ottawa-Glandorf Van Wert Defiance Celina Celina Wapakoneta Defiance Defiance Elida
1999-00 Bath Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Elida Celina, Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Wapakoneta Defiance, St. Marys Defiance Shawnee
2000-01 Defiance Defiance, Elida Defiance St. Marys Ottawa-Glandorf, Van Wert Shawnee Defiance, Wapakoneta St. Marys Van Wert Shawnee
2001-02 Kenton Defiance, Elida Defiance Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Wapakoneta Defiance Defiance Elida, Shawnee
2002-03 Kenton, Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Defiance Van Wert Celina, Elida, Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee Celina Wapakoneta Elida St. Marys Elida
2003-04 St. Marys Defiance Van Wert Van Wert Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee Celina Van Wert Defiance Van Wert, Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf
2004-05 St. Marys, Shawnee Defiance Defiance Bath St. Marys Celina Celina, Wapakoneta Defiance Van Wert Elida
2005-06 Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Van Wert Bath Elida Shawnee Elida Elida Defiance Elida
2006-07 Wapakoneta Shawnee Shawnee Bath Van Wert Celina Van Wert Defiance Defiance Elida
2007-08 Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Celina Van Wert Shawnee Shawnee Celina, Van Wert Defiance Defiance Elida, Shawnee
2008-09 Defiance, Kenton, St. Marys, Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Bath Defiance Defiance Shawnee
2009-10 Kenton Elida Defiance Defiance Defiance Shawnee Lima Bath, Wapakoneta Defiance Defiance Shawnee
2010-11 Kenton Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Celina Shawnee Wapakoneta Defiance Celina Shawnee
2011-12 Kenton Bath Van Wert Defiance Defiance, Elida Shawnee Wapakoneta Defiance Van Wert Shawnee
2012-13 Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee Van Wert Van Wert Bath, Elida Shawnee Wapakoneta Defiance Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee
2013-14 Kenton St. Mary's Defiance Bath Defiance, Elida Celina Defiance Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf Celina, Shawnee
2014-15 Wapakoneta St. Mary's Van Wert Bath Celina Wapakoneta Defiance Celina, St. Mary's Defiance Shawnee
2015-16 Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Kenton, Shawnee Defiance, Ottawa-Glandorf Wapakoneta Elida, Wapakoneta Defiance Wapakoneta Van Wert Wapakoneta
2016-17 Ottawa-Glandorf, St. Mary's, Wapakoneta Celina Defiance Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Wapakoneta Wapakoneta Celina Shawnee Wapakoneta
2017-2018 St. Mary St.Marys St.Marys St.Marys Coldwater Archbold St.Marys Celina Wauseon FC Cincinnati Celina
2018-2019 St.Marys St.Marys St.Marys ST.Marys St.Mrays St.Marys St.Marys St.Marys St.Marys St.Marys ST.Marys
  • *The first cross country meet was an invitational in 1969, and not an official league meet.
  • ~Two golf league matches were held during the 1973–74 school year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Lima Bath won both matches.

Girls League Championships

School YearSoccerVolleyballCross CountryTennisBasketballSwimmingSoftballTrack & Field Bowling
1974-75 Van Wert
1975-76 Van Wert
1976-77 Celina Delphos St. John's Elida
1977-78 Celina Kenton Delphos St. John's Celina
1978-79 Delphos St. John's Kenton Delphos St. John's Celina
1979-80 Celina Kenton Delphos St. John's Ottawa-Glandorf
1980-81 Celina Kenton, Wapakoneta Delphos St. John's Celina
1981-82 Celina Elida Delphos St. John's Celina
1982-83 Elida Shawnee Bath, Elida Bath, Elida Celina
1983-84 Elida, Kenton Shawnee* Shawnee Celina Celina, Elida, St. Marys Shawnee
1984-85 Celina Shawnee* Shawnee Bath, Celina Bath Shawnee
1985-86 Celina Shawnee Shawnee Bath Elida, Wapakoneta Shawnee
1986-87 Celina Shawnee Shawnee Bath Wapakoneta Shawnee
1987-88 Celina Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf Elida, Shawnee St. Marys
1988-89 Bath Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf Elida Celina
1989-90 Celina Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Celina, Elida, Ottawa-Glandorf Bath Celina
1990-91 Celina Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Defiance Celina
1991-92 Celina Celina Wapakoneta Elida Bath, Defiance, Elida, St. Marys Celina
1992-93 Bath St. Marys Elida, Ottawa-Glandorf St. Marys Bath Celina
1993-94 Bath, Celina Defiance Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee Bath Bath Celina
1994-95 Bath Van Wert Shawnee Elida Bath Celina
1995-96 Bath, Celina Van Wert Shawnee Bath Bath Celina
1996-97 Bath, Celina, Elida Van Wert Shawnee Elida Bath, Defiance Celina
1997-98 Celina, St. Marys, Wapakoneta Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf, Shawnee Bath Defiance Bath Celina
1998-99 Celina Celina Defiance Shawnee Bath Defiance Bath Celina
1999-00 Celina St. Marys Defiance Shawnee Bath, Defiance, Elida, St. Marys Defiance Wapakoneta Celina
2000-01 Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Celina St. Marys Bath Shawnee Bath Celina
2001-02 Celina Celina Van Wert Wapakoneta St. Marys Shawnee Bath Celina
2002-03 Elida, Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Van Wert Celina, Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Celina Celina
2003-04 Elida Celina Van Wert Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf, St. Marys Shawnee Celina, Defiance Ottawa-Glandorf
2004-05 Elida Defiance, Ottawa-Glandorf Van Wert Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Bath, Elida, Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf
2005-06 Elida Defiance Defiance Elida, Shawnee Bath, Ottawa-Glandorf, St. Marys, Van Wert Shawnee Celina, Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf
2006-07 Elida Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Elida Wapakoneta Shawnee St. Marys Ottawa-Glandorf
2007-08 Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Celina Bath, Celina Shawnee Bath, Celina Defiance
2008-09 St. Marys Celina Defiance Shawnee Bath Shawnee Bath, Defiance Celina
2009-10 Celina Celina Van Wert Celina, Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Bath Defiance
2010-11 St. Marys Memorial, Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Shawnee Celina Bath, St. Marys Memorial, Shawnee Shawnee Shawnee Defiance
2011-12 Shawnee Celina Shawnee Celina Bath Shawnee Bath, Celina Celina
2012-13 Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Shawnee Celina Bath Shawnee Bath Celina
2013-14 Celina Ottawa-Glandorf Van Wert Wapakoneta Bath Ottawa-Glandorf Bath Celina
2014-15 Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Wapakoneta Bath Ottawa-Glandorf, Wapakoneta Bath Celina
2015-16 Bath Bath Defiance Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf Wapakoneta Celina Wapakoneta
2016-17 Elida Celina, Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Wapakoneta Celina St. Marys Memorial
2017-18 Wapakoneta Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Celina Defiance Van Wert St. Marys Memorial, Wapakoneta
2018-19 St. Marys Memorial Ottawa-Glandorf Defiance Shawnee Ottawa-Glandorf Ottawa-Glandorf
  • *The 1983 and 1984 cross country league meets were invitationals and not official championships. The first official league meet championship was in 1985.

All Sport Trophy winners

The Western Buckeye League awards an annual All Sport Trophy to the school that accumulates the most points in their rank in each of the conference sanctioned sports.[1]

School Year(s)
Bath None
Celina 1972, 1978, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014
Defiance 1973, 1976 1977, 1980, 1981, 1991, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000
Elida 1979, 1982, 1992, 1993
Kenton None
Ottawa-Glandorf None
Shawnee 1985, 1986, 1987, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010
St. Marys Memorial 1971, 1974, 1975, 2019
Van Wert None
Wapakoneta 1990, 1995, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Enrollment

School High School Enrollment District Enrollment
Lima Bath 476 1,776
Celina 893 2,699
Defiance 727 2,452
Elida 718 2,459
Kenton 565 1,940
Ottawa-Glandorf 511 1,564
Lima Shawnee 710 2,466
St. Marys Memorial 900 2,787
Van Wert 503 2,010
Wapakoneta 859 3,083
Totals 6,771 22,556
School High School Enrollment District Enrollment
Bellefontaine 740 2,434
Bluffton 328 1,163
Coldwater 486 1,404
Delphos St. John's 559 1,201

References

  1. "All Sport Trophy". WBL Sports. Archived from the original on 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
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