The Bedford Mules hockey team won against Perrysburg at Tamoshanter on December 16. By the end of the first period, both teams were scoreless. Jesse Bachli scored Bedford's first goal in the second period. During the third period, Perrysburg scored their first goal of the game. The teams went into sudden death, where Bachli scored the winning goal, ending the game 2-1.

The varsity Mules played Whitmer on December 15 at Tamoshanter. Austin Trychel scored the only goal of the game in the first period. The Mules had four penalties in the second period and three in the third. The final score was 1-0.

The team won their game against Saline, 3-1, on December 12. Nick Hintz scored Bedford's first goal a minute into the game, with assists to Dan Hopkins and Chase Krider. During the second period, Jesse Bachli scored with an assist from Hopkins. Saline scored their only goal during the second period. Justin Snyder scored Bedford's third goal in the second period during a power play. Neither team scored any goals during the third.

The Mules won their first game of the season against Mt. Carmel on December 9. The Mules' captain, Dan Hopkins, scored Bedford's first goal unassisted. In the second period, Austin Trychel scored three goals, solidifying a 4-0 lead. Mt. Carmel scored their first goal in the second period, and Jesse Bachli scored a goal for Bedford two minutes later. In the third period, Bachli scored his second goal of the night. After Mt. Carmel scored their second goal, Luke Fournier refused to let any more goals past him. Bedford won 6-2.

The Mules played the Chelsea Bulldogs on December 6 at the Toledo Ice House. Chelsea scored the first goal of the game. Four penalties were called on the Mules during the first period. The Mules picked up their game in the second period. Dan Clifford scored the first goal during the second period. Clifford had an assist from Dan Hopkins and Brendon Sokoloski. The defense was strong, as they held Chelsea from scoring any more goals. At the end of the third period, Garryt Kujawa scored, with help from Andy Backus and Austin Trychel. The final score was 5-2, an unfortunate loss.

The Mules play again on December 22 against Toledo Catholic Central at the Ice House. The game will start at 9:00 p.m.

for more BHS Hockey information - click here

to rebuild, continue victorious tradition.
"I won't remember how hard it was getting up the mountain; I'll remember the view from the top." -Billy Mason, mountain climber

The varsity volleyball team chose the theme of climbing to the top of a mountain this season. With ten new players on the squad, the Mules will certainly have their share of obstacles to overcome, but they are not about to make excuses or back down from any challenge.
"An expedition up a mountain takes teamwork, struggles, and hard work. Sometimes there are pitfalls or valleys before you reach the top," said varsity head coach Jodi Manore.
The ladies look forward to climbing to the top of "Kalamazoo Mountain," and their annual goal of winning another State championship remains intact.

The team struggled in their first two tournaments at Portage Northern (December 16) and Portage Central (December 9), but they hope to use the invitationals as learning experiences and improve on their weak areas as the season progresses. The Mules' current record is 2-8.
Sophomore middle hitter Kara Seals thought that the biggest problems during the tournaments that the team can improve on were lack of confidence and mental errors.
"We have so much talent, but we need to work on our chemistry," said Seals.
At the first tournament, Freshman Sydney Lenhart performed well, contributing 26 kills. Senior defensive specialist Amber Mack added 59 digs, while senior April Shoenthaler secured 20 points for the Mules.

Ms. Manore said that her biggest coaching challenges this season will be improving on basics, developing mental toughness, coming together as a team, and not letting setbacks keep the team from moving forward again. She also hopes the team is able to remain confident and work towards final goals, improving each day.
"I think that we will give it our best shot and pull through to win another State championship," said Seals.
The Mules' next competition is Thursday, December 28, at home for the Bedford Holiday Invitational.

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It is still early in the boys basketball season, but the team has seen it's good moments and its bad. The array of three pointers and quick defense has been a high point in the season, but the team could be looking at a better record than 2-2 if free throws and under the basket shots would have fallen.

In their most recent game, Bedford traveled up to Ypsilanti for their first road game of the season. Bedford played a solid first half, with three pointers dropping and good defense on the shooters from Lincoln. The second half was all Lincoln. Bedford's free throw woes continued, and an uncharacteristic number of turnovers led to a big lead for Lincoln, which proved to be too much to make a comeback.

After the four-day layoff from the Airport game at home, the Monroe Trojans came to town to take on Bedford. The Corral was packed in anticipation of a highly-intense rivalry game that featured one of the top players in Michigan high school football, Audie Cole, the 6-foot-5 center for Monroe.

Bedford got off to a slow start, due in large part to Monroe's defense, scoring only five points in the first quarter and trailing at halftime 30-13. At the start of the third quarter, Bedford came out with much more confidence than what was displayed in the first half.

Late in the third quarter Bedford cut what was a twenty point lead down to ten. Senior Justin Osentoski did all he could do to attempt a comeback with a ridiculous spin move underneath the basket that ignited the team. The old saying "too little, too late" proved to be right, as the Mules were unable to make a full comeback. Monroe's Michael Wallace hit back-to-back three pointers to put the game out of reach.

Bedford's previous game was against Airport at home. Airport's early first-half defense kept the mules from scoring big in the first half. Following the motivational speech from Coach Ryan at half, the team came out strong. Senior Todd Wagner led the team in scoring with 9 points while Mitch Boss had 7 points and 4 assists.

The defense also stepped up late in the game, as the boys held Airport to under 30 points and won the game 43-28. The boys opened their season up at home against SMCC. A combination of aggressive defense and great shooting on offense led to a big win 57-41.

Bedford opened the game up quickly and established themselves as the better team, as they owned every aspect of the game. Senior leader Justin Osentoski had a huge game putting up 22 points, knocking down 6 three pointers, and dropping 3 assists. "Shots were going down all night for us, and we all felt like we couldn't miss," said senior Mitchell Boss.

The boys were also able to capitalize on SMCC's lack of size. Senior Josh Albright had 10 points and 8 rebounds. Sophomore Ricky Rightnowar also had 9 points.

In the second half, the Mules extended their lead into double digits, and many of the younger players on the team were able to get much-needed playing time. Kayl Talboo played most of the fourth quarter and scored six points on 3-5 shooting. Senior Steve Walling also made a late game appearance, following the chants from the student section "WE WANT WALLING!"

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Dominance. If there is one word that would describe the start of the wrestling season for Bedford, it would be dominance. The Mules have started the season by winning three tournaments and stomping on Ann Arbor Pioneer, 66-10.

Seniors James Fisher, Colin Arnold, and junior Alex Ortman all remain undefeated on the season. Each has three championship wins under their belt so far this year, and each is ready to add more.
"You try not to think about it," said Fisher. "It doesn't make you perfect, and you have to know there are still things you can work on. There are still things you can learn from every match. It's a good thing, too, because it gives that much more incentive to win every match."

At the Livonia Franklin Tournament on December 16, Arnold, Fisher, Ortman, and sophomore Tom Fox all went 5-0 and the Mules captured another tournament championship. Fisher was named Outstanding Wrestler for the lower weight classes for the tournament.
The Mules have started this year off with a fire and are primed for another State championship run. Many wrestlers are trying not to get ahead of themselves, however.
"We're not going to be any better than our worst wrestler, so we are taking our time," said Fisher. "Everyone's pushing each other, and we are becoming really tight now. We are really excited."

Six different wrestlers have won championships to start this season. Along with the undefeated wrestlers, seniors Kris Baker, Alex Pavlika, and Fox all took championships in the Bedford Invitational. The Mules were able to come back and edge out Dundee for the tournament championship by a score of 272 - 270.5.

The team itself is becoming very close, and the work ethic is tremendous.
"My goal is to win a State championship," said Fisher. "I'm going to put everything I can into it, not only for myself, but for my team, too."
The Mules will look to continue there dominance by facing off against Chelsea on January 4 and then heading for the Sheriff's Invitational. Preparations will be made all season for the State tournament in March.

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Every year after the football team finishes their season, six quiet weeks pass before Bedford's signature sport - wrestling - begins. In this peaceful period where the janitors do not have to pick up a thousand papers ripped off of the lockers, the Grapplerettes are gearing up for the wrestling season and rallying school spirit by making signs.

To become a member of the Bedford Grapplerettes, students must attend the orientation meetings, complete assignments on time, participate in fund raisers, complete an art project, and, most importantly, score high enough on a wrestling knowledge test. Members must learn the members of the SEC conference, the number of different championships we have won, the types of meets, how to score both teams and individuals, wrestling positions and different maneuvers, match procedures, rules of overtime and match time, the different weight classes, the difference between District, Regionals, and State, and finally, they must know how to seed for brackets.
"Memorizing all of the stuff that was on the test [was the hardest thing]," said junior Krystyn Hartley, a third-year grapplerette.

This complex organization of girls has its own constitution and ways to impeach its officers. The team even has a Sergeant at Arms to make sure the meetings run smoothly. They put in hours of work behind the scenes to make the wrestling season a success. The primary functions of Grapplerettes are to keep track of points awarded in competitions, cheer on the wrestlers, and boost school spirit towards wrestling.

"We make the spirit signs, locker signs, and we make up the awesome cheers that get the crowd and the wrestlers fired up," said Hartley.
While at the meets, the girls are either copying down points awarded by the referee or cheering.
"We keep track of the points made by our wrestlers and their opponents," said Hartley.
"The hardest thing [I ever did] was probably the first match I ever scored," said junior Jill McDonald. "I think Grapplerettes put a lot of pressure on you to make sure you don't mess up while scoring a match. You have to stay really focused."
"If we are not at the table working then we yell until we have a sore throat," said sophomore Becca Howe.

If you are as confused about what the name Grapplerette means as I am, don't worry. As perplexing as this name choice is, it is better than what the girls used to be called- Mat Maids. It is not exactly clear why the name was changed, but some students have their theories.
"[It was changed] because we are not going to clean up the mats for the wrestlers," said Howe.
"[It was changed] because Mat Maids sounds so incredibly dumb, and Grapplerettes sounds cool and unique," said Hartley. What some people might not know about the Grapplerettes is that they share a fierce rivalry with the trainers.

"[We're better than the trainers] because we're sweet, and Grapplerettes is obviously a cooler name than trainers," said McDonald. Some Grapplerettes have made peace with the trainers however.
"[We're in two different fields.] They know more about the health of the wrestlers, but we know more about what is happening in the matches," said Howe.
No matter how few people know exactly what the Grapplerettes are (they have been mistaken for girl wrestlers), this group of girls is essential to making the wrestling season a success.