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McCallie Netters Top Science Hill Home Win Streak at 31 In a meeting of defending state and Rotary prep tennis champions, host McCallie defeated Science Hill, 7-2, at the John Strang Tennis Center Sunday afternoon. McCallie (4-0) has now won 31 straight home matches, since a 5-4 loss to MBA in April 2005. Science Hill is 3-1 on the young season. The Blue Tornado won the Division A Rotary crown on Saturday and is the three-time defending TSSAA D-II AA state champs. The Hilltoppers claimed the Division B Rotary title and have won the past two TSSAA Division I AAA state crowns. After the pre-match national anthem and prayer, William Disterdick was off the court first for McCallie at No.4 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Drew Kerr. Taylor Rogers (No.6) and Chris Schlabach (No.1) quickly followed with straight set wins for a 3-0 Blue Tornado lead. Nathan Winters (No.5) was next with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph and McCallie clinched the match at 5-0 as Thomas Fanjoy defeated John Storie, 7-6 (3), 7-5 at No.2 singles. The Hilltoppers lone singles win came at No.3 as Michael Chen rallied to edge Sawyer Voges, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. McCallie posted doubles wins with Schlabach-Disterdick (No.1) and Fanjoy-Voges (No.2), while Jordan Eddy-Hayden Holbrook claimed No.3 doubles for the visitors. ''McCallie is a strong team and we need to play this kind of competition,'' said Science Hill coach Pete Zannis. In the marquee match, McCallie's Schlabach defeated 2008 state singles runner-up Chris Smith, 6-1, 7-5, at No.1 singles. In the battle of seniors, Schlabach won the first seven points of the match and the final eight, but in between these baseliners had several long, well-played rallies. Schlabach held serve to open the match and then broke Smith's serve for a 2-0 lead. Schlabach broke again at 4-1 and closed out the set with four straight points on his serve. Smith held to open the second set and broke Schlabach to lead 3-1, but the Blue Tornado broke right back and then held to make it 3-3. Each player then held for 4-4 before three straight breaks of serve and Sc hlabch served out the match at 6-5 with four straight points. ???This is my first win against Chris, so this has been a good weekend of tennis,'' stated Schlabach, who is 1-3 vs. Smith since they first met in the 14s. No.1 Stats: Points Won: Schlabach, 55-41 Service Breaks Won: Schlabach, 5-2 4-0 Games: Schlabach, 7-2 3-all Points Won (no add scoring): Schlabach, 5-1 Still Early Yet: Chris Smith (3-2 in singles) has only been on the court for a week after leading the Hilltoppers to the state tournament in basketball. The hard-hitting senior was the state runner-up in AAA last year to three-time state champ Ian Chadwell of Centennial. Battle of Doubles Champs: Both No.2 doubles teams were coming off Rotary wins just 24 hours earlier. The McCallie tandem of Voges-Fanjoy stayed unbeaten (5-0) with an 8-6 triumph against Chen-Kerr. Defending State Champs: Hilltoppers John Storie and Drew Kerr were AAA state doubles champs in 2008 and most likely will pair up in post-season play, while Chris Smith will compete in singles. Best Hilltoppers: When asked if this is his best team, coach Zannis said with three seniors and the defending state doubles team among his six returning starters, that the 2009 squad is most likely his best. A close second is the 2002 state champs. Name That Tune: Coach Voges does his best to add some culture to the program with post-match music from ???Piano Classics.'' Modern rock music is played in pre-match warm-ups, but ???Piano Classics'' or Frank Sinatra hits are the coaches choice after the match. ''To say that the players do not look forward to the Sinatra selections is an understatement,'' Voges stated with a smile. ''We want our home matches to be a team atmosphere,'' said Voges who has an opening prayer, national anthem and introduction of players in pre-match ceremonies. Voges pointed out that in recent years team parents have purchased permanent outdoor speakers, a sound system (especially for the Sinatra fans) and a flag and flag poll. ???We even offer snow cones for players and fans,'' he said. This Week: Wednesday: McCallie travels to crosstown rival Baylor (2-1) at 4 p.m. as part of McCallie-Baylor week. The baseball teams meet for 7 p.m. single games on Tuesday (at McCallie) and Wednesday (at Baylor), while the crew squads row for the Raoul Cup and the Carney Cup on Friday. McCallie 7, Science Hill 2 Singles: #1 Chris Schlabach (McC) d. Chris Smith, 6-1, 7-5 #2 Thomas Fanjoy (McC) d. John Storie, 7-6 (3), 7-5 #3 Michael Chen (SH) d. Sawyer Voges, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 #4 William Disterdick (McC) d. Drew Kerr 6-1, 6-1 #5 Nathan Winters (McC) d. Jordan Eddy, 6-4, 6-3 #6 Taylor Rogers (McC) d. Hayden Holbrook, 6-0, 6-2 Doubles #1 Chris Schlabach-William Disterdick (McC) d. Chris Smith-John Storie, 8-5 #2 Thomas Fanjoy-Sawyer Voges (McC) d. Michael Chen-Drew Kerr, 8-6 #3 Jordan Eddy-Hayden Holbrook (SH) d. Nathan Winters-Taylor Rogers, 2-0 retired Records: McCallie (4-0), Science Hill (3-1) McCallie Home Win Streak: 31 Next Match: Tuesday April 7: Science Hill hosts Sullivan Central Wednesday April 8: McCallie at Baylor (4 p.m.) contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

McCallie, Vestavia Hills Girls Claim Rotary Tennis Titles Vestavia Hills girls relied on strong doubles play and McCallie used its depth as the two schools successfully defended Rotary team tennis championships in the A Division Saturday at Baylor School. Boys A Division: On a sun-splashed spring day, the Blue Tornado blew through the Baylor tennis complex Saturday, winning four titles - three singles, one doubles - to break open a tight team race after Friday's action. McCallie won by seven points, 18.5 to 11.5, against runner-up MBA after holding a one-point lead (11-10) entering Saturday's play. Mountain Brook and St. Xavier tied for third with 11 points and Randolph claimed the fifth spot (8.5) in the seven team field. ???We played well today, even though some of the guys were a little tight in the finals,'' said McCallie coach Eric Voges. ???It's good to repeat as champions which is very difficult to do.'' So difficult, that the last time McCallie successfully defended a title, Voges was playing junior high tennis (1976) at McCallie in the middle of a Rotary three-peat; 1975-76-77. McCallie singles winners came at the bottom of the order in William Disterdick (No.4), Nathan Winters (No.5) and Taylor Rogers (No.6). Tornado champions at No. 2 doubles were Thomas Fanjoy and Sawyer Voges. MBA fell from the title chase losing all three doubles semifinals and split its two singles finals. MBA's lone champion was Palmer Campbell at No.3 singles. Randolph scored the most points ??????" four ??????" after McCallie's 7.5, due in part to singles wins (No.1 Dan Richardson and No.2 Anthony Lioce) and Richardson-Lioce at No.1 doubles. College Bound: McCallie's Chris Schlabach (ACT score, 32) has committed to academic strong Middlebury College to play tennis next year ... Middlebury has reached the NCAA Division III final four in men's tennis the past four years, finishing second in 2005 and 2006 ... Schlabach might cross paths with Randolph's Anthony Lioce who is consideriing attending Division III tennis power Trinity (Texas) ??¦ Guinn Garcia of Webb has signed with Wofford College ... Guinn and her sister, Vicki, are defending state champs in Division II AA. No Time To Rest: Boys champs McCallie (A Division) and Science Hill (B Division) meet Sunday at McCallie at 1 p.m. ??¦ The Hilltoppers are two-time defending D-I AAA champs, while McCallie has won the last three in D-I AA ... McCallie is at Baylor on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Girls A Division: Two-time defending Alabama state champs Vestavia Hills (8-0) edged GPS, 19-16, for the Rotary trophy for the second straight year. Harpeth Hall was third (11.5) and Webb (10.5) completed the top four in the eight-team field. ???We work many hours on doubles as I feel doubles wins you state titles,'' said Vestavia Hills coach Nancy Becker Doubles also wins Rotary titles as the Alabama power swept the three doubles finals, two againsst GPS, after being tied with the Bruisers with 16 points after singles. Vestavia Hills champs were Lauren Levant-Caroline Faught (No.1), Mary Harmon-Cameron Richard (No.2) and Mary Allen-Owens Jessup (No.3). Levant also won at No.3 singles. ???It's a big deal for us to win this tournament as competing in the Rotary provides us with strong competition that we seldom see in Alabama, '' said coach Becker who has taken her teams to 16 state final appearances, including eight championships, in 22 seasons. GPS singles winners were Sarah Evans (No.1), Anne Holley (No.4) and Mollie Earhart (No.6). The third seeded Earhart defeated No.2 Merrill Hartline (Mtn Brook) and No.1 Avery King (Vestavia Hills) on the way to the title. ???I am pleased with our effort and the commitment of our players,'' said GPS coach Sue Bartlett. ???This was a big learning experience for us as we stayed with them (VH) going into doubles.'' Next Up: GPS is at rival Baylor on Tuesday (3:30 p.m.) and plans to travel to Vestavia Hills on April 21 in a matchup where two-time Alabama state champion hosts three-time Tennessee state (D-II AA) winner. Becker History: Coach Becker and her daughter, Tracey Becker Towns, played in the U.S. Open national mother-daughter competion in the early 1980s, reaching the quarterfinals ... Tracey played for Mountain Brook and Auburn. Boys B Division: Two-time defending state champ (AAA) Science Hill claimed the Boys B Division title defeating runner-up Vestavia Hills, 19-17, at McCallie. Third place went to Knox. Catholic with 10, followed by University School Jackson (9.5) and Christian Academy of Knoxville (8.5) to round out the top five in the eight-team field. Science Hill claimed singles wins from Michael Chen (No.2) and John Storie (No.3) and Drew Kerr-Chen at No.2 doubles. Vestavia Hills took home four titles, incuding thee head-to-head matchups with Science Hill, but it wasn't enough. In No. 1 singles, third seed Cameron Dickerson (CAK) upset top seed and 2008 state singles runner-up (AAA) Chris Smith, 6-2, 6-1. Dickerson is the younger brother of 2000 state doubles champion James Dickerson (Knox. Bearden). Girls B Division: In the closest division of the 53rd Rotary, Spain Park won the final doubles match of the day (No.2) to tie Huntsville for the Girls Division B crown at GPS. The two teams finished with 17.5 points and a share of the championship, while Science Hill was third (11.5) in the eight-team field. Spain Park's No.2 doubles team of Meha Jha-Hayden Bickerton edged Haley Dallas-Kylie Tillett (Lone Oak), 9-7, to tie for the championship. Jha was a double winner as she claimed the No.3 singles crown. Going into doubles, Huntsville, who was co-champs with Walker in 2008, was in first with 16.5 and Spain Park was one point back at 15.5. Spain Park sandwiched wins at Nos. 1 and 2 around Huntsville's triumph at No.3. Boys A Division Team Standings: 1. McCallie (18.5) 2. MBA (11.5), 3. (tie) Mountain Brook and St. Xavier (11) 5. Randolph (8.5), 6. Webb (5), 7. Baylor (4.5) Singles - Finals #1 - (1) Dan Richardson (Randolph) d. (3) Chris Schlabach (McCallie), 6-3, 6-4 #2 - (1) Anthony Lioce (Randolph) d. Patrick Lucas (Mtn Brook), 6-2, 6-3 #3 - (2) Palmer Campbell (MBA) d. (4) Kyle Coronel (St. Xavier) #4 - (1) William Disterdick (McCallie) d. (3) Russell Anderson (MBA), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) #5 - (2) Nathan Winters (McCallie) d. (4) Trey Carter (Mtn Brook), 6-1, 7-5 #6 - (3) Taylor Rogers (McCallie) d. (1) Jameson Seiffert (St. Xavier), 6-0, 0-6, 7-5 Doubles: #1 Semis: (1) Anthony Lioces-Dan Richardson (Randolph) d. (4) Russell Anderson-Naveen Chadalavada (MBA), 8-6; Chris Haydek-Reid Walling (Webb) d. Stewart Cassady-Loris Orsolini (Mtn Brook), 8-6. Finals: (1) Anthony Lioces-Dan Richardson (Randolph) d. Chris Haydek-Reid Walling (Webb), 8-5 #2 Semis: (1) Thomas Fanjoy-Sawyer Voges (McCallie) d. (3) Zachery Moore-Patrick Lucas (Mtn Brook), 8-0; (3) Kyle Coronel-Alex Gornet (St. Xavier) d. (2) Palmer Campbell-Richard Brunsting (MBA), 9-7 Finals: (1) Thomas Fanjoy-Sawyer Voges (McCallie) d. (3) Kyle Coronel-Alex Gornet (St. Xavier), 8-4 #3 Semis: (1) Joey Francis-Blake Buchalter (Mtn Brook) d.(4) Taylor Rogers-Nathan Winters (McCallie), 8-3; (2) Jameson Seiffert -Chris Bartlett (St. Xavier) d. Leland Budlaw-Davis Thrailkill (MBA), 8-4 Finals: (2) Jameson Seiffert -Chris Bartlett (St. Xavier) d. (1) Joey Francis-Blake Buchalter (Mtn Brook), 8-2 Girls A Division Team Standings: 1. Vestavia Hills (19), 2. GPS (16) 3. Harpeth Hall (11.5) 4. Webb (10.5) 5. Lone Oak and Baylor (5.5) 7. Christian Academy of Knoxville (1.5) 8. Mountain Brook (0) Singles - Finals #1 (2) Sarah Evans (GPS) d. (4) Megan Conley (Webb), 6-3, 6-2 #2 Caitlin Casey (Harpeth Hall) d. (1) Cameron Richard (Vestavia Hills), 6-2, 6-4 #3 (1) Lauren Levant (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Erika Marschall (Baylor), 6-1, 6-3 #4 (4) Anne Holley (GPS) d. (3) Jolie Spiegelman (Webb), 6-0, 6-2 #5 Katherine Caire (Harpeth Hall) d. Owens Jessup (Vestavia Hills), 6-4, 6-0 #6 (3) Millie Earhart (GPS) d. (1) Avery King (Vestavia Hills), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 Doubles: #1 Semis: (4) Sarah Evans-Bronte Goodhue (GPS) d. Morgan Arrants-Kia Batiste (CAK), 8-2; (2) Lauren Levant-Caroline Faught (Vestavia Hills) d. Megan Conley-Jennifer Haydek (Webb), 8-2 Finals: (2) Lauren Levant-Caroline Faught (Vestavia Hills) d. (4) Sarah Evans-Bronte Goodhue (GPS), 8-5 #2 Semis: (1) Mary Harmon-Cameron Richard (Vestavia Hills) d. Meredith Morrow-Anne Holley (GPS), 8-5; (2) Jeannine Bell-Jolie Spiegelman (Webb) d. Ellie-Hammons-Katie Yates (Lone Oak). Finals: (1) Mary Harmon-Cameron Richard (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Jeannine Bell-Joli Spiegelman (Webb), 8-5 #3 Semis: (4) Millie Earhart-Lauren Schlabach (GPS) d. Dakota Durrett-Haleigh Fellows (Lone Oak), 9-8 (4); (3) Mary Allen-Owens Jessup (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Kelsea Best-Lexi Mossman (Harpeth Hall), 8-3. Finals: (3) Mary Allen-Owens Jessup (Vestavia Hills) d. (4) Millie Earhart-Lauren Schlabach(GPS), 8-5 Boys B Division Team Standings: 1. Science Hill (19), 2. Vestavia Hills (17), 3. Knox. Catholic (10), 4. Univ. School Jackson (9.5) 5. Christian Academy of Knoxville (8.5) 6. Lone Oak (6.5) 7. Tilghman (4.5), 8. Spain Park (3.5) Singles - Finals #1 (3) Cameron Dickerson (CAK) d. (1) Chris Smith (Science Hill), 6-2, 6-1 #2 (4) Michael Chen (Science Hill) d. (2) William Sparks (CAK), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 #3 (3) John Storie (Science Hill) d. (4) Michael McCarty (Knox. Catholic), 6-2, 6-2 #4 (1) Chris Livingston (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Drew Kerr (Science Hill), 6-3, 6-2 #5 (1) Leo Richard (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Jordan Eddy (Science Hill), 6-3, 6-2 #6 Clark Morson (Vestavia Hills) d. Lee Dapp (Lone Oak), 6-2, 6-1 Doubles - Finals #1 (4) Nicholas Widmer-Steven Young (Knox. Catholic) d. (3) Cameron Dickeron-William Sparks (CAK), 9-8 (6) #2 (1) Michael Chen-Drew Kerr (Science Hill) d. Aleksander Rowton-Elliot Schiff (Tilghman), 8-6 #3 (3) Leo Richard-Matthew Roden (Vestavia Hills) d. (1) Jordan Eddy-Hayden Holbrook (Science Hill), 8-6 Girls B Division Team Standings: 1. (tie) Spain Park Ala. and Huntsville (17.5) 3. St. Xavier (11.5) 4. Lone Oak (12) 5. University School Jackson (10) 6. Tilghman (Ky.) (5.5) 7. Randolph (2) 8. Siegel (1.5) Singles ??????" Finals #1 (2) Kelsey Coots (Huntsville) d. (1) Kati Baker (Spain Park), 7-5, 6-2 #2 (1) Anna Brown (Huntsville) d. (3) Renee Nicholas (Spain Park), 6-4, 6-2 #3 Meha Jha (Spain Park) d. (2) Morgan Hancock (USJ), 6-4, 6-2 #4 (1) Katherine Walker (Huntsville) d. Katie Clayton (Lone Oak), 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 #5 Emma Burgess (Huntsville) d. Haley Dallas (Lone Oak), 0-6, 7-5, 6-3 #6 Katie Deal (Science Hill) d. Michelle McKamey (Lone Oak), 6-4, 6-3 Doubles ??????" Finals #1 (2) Renee Nicholas-Kati Baker (Spain Park) d. (4) Madison Patey-Morgan Hancock (USJ), 8-2 #2 Meha Jha-Hayden Bickerton (Spain Park) d. Haley Dallas-Kylie Tillett (Lone Oak), 9-7 #3 (1) Cat Kelly-Katherine Walker (Huntsville) d. (2) Mary Grace Burchfield-Keely Hawkins (Science Hill). Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

McCallie, Vestavia Hills Girls Lead Rotary Tennis Defending champions McCallie and Vestavia Hills girls held slim leads after day one of Division A play of the 53rd annual Rotary Prep Tennis tournament held at Baylor School. After a chilly day of excellent prep net play, only two points separate the top three boys teams. Saturday's schedule at Baylor has championship singles finals (boys and girls) at 8:30 a.m., followed by 11 a.m. Doubles semis and finals at 2 p.m. The Division B boys at McCallie has singles finals at 8:30 a.m., followed by doubles finals at 10 a.m., with the same schedule for Division B girls at GPS. The Blue Tornado leads runner-up MBA, 11-10, while Mountain Brook is third with nine and St. Xavier is fourth with 7.5 points in the seven-team field. McCallie has four finalists in singles (1,4,5,6) and two doubles teams (2,3) in the semis, while MBA has two singles (3,4) and three doubles (1,2,3) in the championship draw and Mountain Brook has singles finalists at Nos. 2 and 6 and Nos. 2 and 3 doubles in the semis. ???I feel pretty good about our situation with six finalists and the others three still alive in the consolations and in a position to score team points for us,'' said McCallie coach Eric Voges. ???There are numerous scenarios of how any of the top three teams can win and that's the beauty of this type of format,'' he stated. ???It's a true team championship and everyone can play a role in determining the champion. Saturday should be a fun day of tennis.'' On the girls side, Vestavia Hills (12.5) and GPS (12) meet at No.6 singles finals and in the No.2 doubles semis. Both teams have all three doubles in the championship semis, while VH has four singles finals (2,3,5,6) and GPS has three in singles (1,5,6). Webb girls are in third with 9.5 points, followed by Harpeth Hall with seven in the seven-team field. In Division B boys, pre-tournament favorite Science Hill leads Vestavia Hills, 12-5 to 11.5, while Knox. Catholic is third with nine points. Three Generations: Three generations of Guerry's have made their mark on the 53 years of Rotary play. Baylor's Sean Guerry played singles and doubles Friday at the Guerry Tennis Center, and follows his dad, Pem, who was a two-time singles champ and three-time doubles winner for the Red Raiders in the early 1970s. Sean's grandfather, Alex, Jr., was the first director of the tournament in 1957. Another handful of Guerry's have also played in the prestigious Southern event, including six-time singles champ Zan Guerry, two-time doubles champ Chappell Guerry Kane, two-time doubles champ Tanz Kane (Chappell's son) and doubles champ Jeff Guerry (Zan's son).. Rotary Friday Results Girls A Division Team Standings: 1. Vestavia Hills (12.5), 2. GPS (12), 3. Webb (9.5), 4. Harpeth Hall (7), 5. Lone Oak (4.5), 6. Baylor (4), 7. Christian School of Knoxville (1) Singles #1 Quarters: (4) Megan Conley (Webb) d. Sarah Berchuck (Baylor), 6-3, 6-2; (3) Carolina Faught (Vestavia Hills) d. Katie Hagan (Lone Oak), 6-2, 6-0; (2) Sarah Evans (GPS) d. Samantha Lewis (Harpeth hall), 6-4, 6-2. Semis: (4) Megan Conley (Webb) d. Kia Baptiste (CAK), 6-2, 6-0; (2) Sarah Evans (GPS) d. (3) Caroline Faught (Vest. Hills), 7-5, 6-1 #2 Quarters: (1) Cameron Richard (Vest Hills) d. Morgan Arrants (CAK), 6-2, 6-0; Bronte Goodhue (GPS) d. Haleigh Fellows (Lone Oak), 6-0, -1; Caitlin Casey (Harpeth Hall), d. Lauren Douglas (Mtn Brook); (2) Jennifer Haydek (Webb), Kelly Scruggs (Baylor), 6-4, 6-1; Semis: (1) Cameron Richard (Vest Hills) d. Bronte Goodhue (GPS), 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-0; Caitlin Casey (Harpeth Hall) d. (2) Jennifer Haydek (Webb), 6-3, 6-3 #3 Quarters:(1) Lauren Levant (Vest Hills) d. Kelsea Best (Harpeth Hall), 1-6, 6-2, 6-1; (4) Jeannine Bell (Webb) d. Kathleen (Burg (CAK), 6-1, 6-1; (3) Meredith Morrow (GPS) d. Hannah Hagan (Lone Oak), 6-2, 6-3; (2) Erika Marschall (Baylor) d. Elizabeth Lucas (Mtn Brook), 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. Semis: (1) Lauren Levant (Vestavia Hills) d. (4) Jeannine Bell (4), 6-2, 6-0; (2) Erika Marshall (Baylor) d. Meredith Morrow (GPS), 7-5, 6-3 #4 Quarters: (4) Anne Holley (GPS) d. Ruth Edmunds (CAK), 6-0, 6-0; (3) Jolie Spiegelman (Webb) d. Shaye Sullivan (Harpeth Hall), 4-6, 7-6 93), 7-5; Katie Yates (Lone Oak) d. (2) Mary Allen (Vest Hills), 6-4, 6-2 Semis: (4) Anne Holley (GPS) d. Taylor Johnson (Baylor), 6-1, 6-0; (3) Jolie Spiegelman (Webb) d. Katie Yates (Lone Oak), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3 #5 Quarters: Owens Jessup (Vestavia Hills) d. (1) Ellie Hammons (Lone Oak), 5-7, 6-7 (3), 6-2; Madalene Dawson (Webb) d. (4) Gracie Hawkins (Mtn Brook), 6-1, 6-3; Katherine Caire (Harpeth Hall) d. Mary Boyles (Baylor), 6-1, 6-0; Lauren Schlabach (GPS) d. Brooke Griffith (CAK), 6-1, 6-0 Semis: Owens Jessup (Vestavia Hills) d. (4) Gracie Hawkins (Mtn Brook), 6-0, 6-0; (3) Katherine Caire (Harpeth Hall) d. (2) Lauren Schlabach (GPS), 7-5, 6-3 #6 Quarters: (1) Avery King (Vest Hills) d. Haleigh Chastain (CAK), 6-0, 6-0; Anna Lebleu (Harpeth Hall) d. (4) Elizabeth Bishop (Baylor), 6-2, 6-4; (3) Millie Earhart (GPS) d. Shannin Smith (Webb), 6-2, 6-2; Dakota Durrent (Lone Oak) d. (2) Merrill Hartline (Mtn Brook), 7-6 (5), 6-1. Semis: (1) Avery King (Vestavia Hills) d. Anna Lebleu (Harpeth Hall), 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-0; (3) Millie Earhart (GPS) d. Dakota Durrett (Lone Oak), 6-3, 5-0, retired. Doubles #1 Quarters: (4) Evans-Goodhue (GPS), 8-2; Haydek-Conley (Webb) d. Marschall-Berchuck (Bay), 8-0; (2) Levant-Faught (Vestavia Hills) d. Casey-Lewis (Harpeth-Hall), 8-2 #2 Quarters: (1) Richard-Harmon (Vestavia Hills) d. Burg-Edmunds (CAK), 8-3; Holley-Morrow (GPS) d. Johnson-Scruggs (Baylor), 8-3; Yates-Hammons (Lone Oak) d. Hartline-Lucas (Mtn Brook), 8-4; (2) Spiegelman-Bell (Webb) d. Caire-Sullivan (Harpeth Hall), 9-7 #3 Quarters: (4) Schlabach-Earhart (GPS) d. Chastain-Smith (CAK, 8-1; Allen-Jessup (Vestavia Hills) d. Allan-Dawson (Webb), 8-3; (2) Best-Mossman (Harpeth Hall) d. Boyles-Yates (Baylor), 8-4 Boys A Division Team Standings: 1. McCallie (11), 2. MBA (10), 3. Mountain Brook (9), 4. St. Xavier (7.5), 5. Randolph (4.5), 6. Webb (4), 7. Baylor (2.5) Singles #1 Quarters: (1) Dan Richardson (Randolph) d. Alexander Cooper (Baylor), 6-4, 6-0; (4) Naveen Chadalavada (MBA); (3) Chris Schlabach (McCallie) d. Reid Walling (Webb), 6-4, 6-1; Joey Francis (Mtn Brook) d. (2) Brian Buehner (St. Xavier), 6-4, 6-4.Semis: (1) Dan Richardson (Randolph) d. (4) Naveen Chadalavada (MBA), 6-1, 6-2; (2) Chris Schlabach (McC) d. Joey Francis (Mtn Brook ), 6-3, 0-6, 6-2 #2 Quarters: (1) Anthony Lioce (Randloph) d. Walker Heffron (Bishop), default; (4) Chris Haydek (Webb) d. Dalton Thieneman (St. Xavier), 7-6 (3), 6-0; (3) Richard Brunsting (MBA) d. Eric Roddy (Baylor), 6-1, 6-3; Patrick Lucas (Mtn Brook) d. (2) Thomas Fanjoy (McC), 6-1, 6-4 Semis: (1) Anthony Lioce (Randolph) d. Dalton Thieneman (St. Xavier), 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-4; Patrick Lucas (Mtn Brook) d. (3) Richard Brunsting (MBA), 6-4, 6-4. #3 Quarters: (4) Kyle Coronel (St. Xavier) d. Chris Barron (Webb), 6-0, 6-0; (3) Stewart Cassady (Mtn Brook) d. Lucas Kaelin (Baylor), 2-6, 6-0, 6-0; (2) Palmer Campbell (MBA) d. Blake Nuwayhid (Randolph), 6-1, 6-2; Semis: (4) Kyle Coronel (St. Xavier) d. (1) Sawyer Voges (McC); (2) Palmer Campbell (MBA) d. Stewart Cassady (Mtn Brook), 6-3, 6-2 #4 Quarters: (1) William Disterdick (McC) d. Rajat Agarwal (Webb), 6-2, 6-2; (4) Zachary Moore (Baylor) d. Henry Crosby (Randolph), 6-3, 6-1; (3) Russell Anderson (MBA) d. Loris Orsolini (Mtn Brook), 7-5, 6-1. Semis: (1) William Disterdick (McC) d. (4) Zachery Moore (Baylor), 6-3, 6-1; (3) Russell Anderson (MBA) d. (2) Alex Gornet (St. Xavier), 6-3, 6-4 #5 Quarters: (1) Davis Thrailkill (MBA) d. Sean Guerry (Baylor), 6-0, 6-2; (3) Chris Bartlett (St. Xavier) d. Max Bennett (Webb), 6-2, 6-4; (2) Nathan Winters (McC) d. Greg Ammon (Randolph), 6-1, 6-0 Semis: (4) Trey Carter (Mtn Brook) d. (1) Davis Thrailkill (MBA), 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5); (2) Nathan Winters (McC) d. (3) Chris Bartlett (St. Xavier), 1-6, 6-1,6-1 #6 Quarters: (1) Jameson Seiffert (St. Xavier ) d. Justin Fowler (Webb), 6-0, 6-0; Jared Cohen (Mtn Brook) d. (4) Jacob Hecker (Baylor), 6-1, 7-6 (0); (2) Jake Hymes (MBA) d. Teja Alapati (Randolph), 6-1, 6-1 Semis: (1) Jameson Seiffert (St. Xavier) d. Jared Cohen (Mtn Brook); (3) Taylor Rogers (McC) d. (2) Jake Hymes (MBA). Doubles: #1 Quarters: (4) Anderson-Naveen (MBA) d. Cooper-Kailen (Bay), 8-2; Cassady-Orsolini (Mtn Brook) d. (3) Buehner-Thieneman (St. X), 8-2; Haydek-Walling (Webb) d. (2) Schlabach-Disterdick (McC), 8-6 #2 Quarters: (1) Fanjoy-Voges (McC) d. Baron-Stoess (Webb), 8-1; Moore-Roddy (Bay) d. Carter-Lucas (Mtn Brook), 8-2; (2) Campbell-Brunsting (MBA) d. Crosby-Nuwayhid (Randolph), 8-1.; #3 Quarters: (1) Buchalter-Francis (Mtn Brook) d. Ammon-Woods (Randolph), 8-0; Winters-Rogers (McC) d. Guerry-Hecker (Bay), 8-3; (2) Seiffert-Bartlett (St. Xavier) d. Agarwal-Fowler (Webb), 8-2 Boys B Division Team Standings: 1. Science Hill (12.5), 2. Vestavia Hills (11.5), 3. Knox. Catholic (9), 4. Univ. School Jackson (8) 5. Christian Academy of Knoxville (7.5) 6. Lone Oak (5.5) 7. Pilghman (4.5), 8. Spain Park (3.5) Singles #1 Quarters: (1) Chris Smith (Sc Hill) d. Jack Nicholas (Spain Park), 3-6, 6-1, 6-3; Jeff Holcombe (Vestavia Hills) d. (4) Colton Norton (USJ), 7-5, 6-4; (3) Cameron Dickerson (CAK) d. Brian Bredniak (Lone Oak), 7-5, 6-1; (2) Steven Young (Catholic) d. Ethan Rowton (Tilghman(, 6-2, 6-1; Semis: (1) Chris Smith (Sc Hill) d. Jeff Holcombe (USJ), 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (5); (3) Cameron Dickerson (CAK) d. (2) Steven Young (Catholic), 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 #2 Quarters: (1) Hunt Magee (USJ) d. Addison Overby (Tilghman), 6-3, 6-2; (4) Michael Chen (Sc Hill) d. Sonny Christopher (Spain Park), 6-2, 6-1; (3) Nick Widmer (Catholic) d. Andrew Croft (Lone Oak), 6-1, 6-2; (2) William Sparks (CAK) d. Matthew Roden (Vestavia Hills), 6-4, 6-3; Semis: (4) Michael Chen (Sc Hill) d. (1) Hunt Magee (USJ), 7-6 (5), 6-3; (2) William Sparks (CAK) d. (3) Nick Widmer (Catholic), 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. #3 Cameron Tillett (Lone Oak) d. (1) Austin Wang (Vestavia Hills), 6-1, 7-6 (5); (4) Michael McCarty (Catholic) d. Colin Schroeder (Spain Park), 6-0, 6-1; (3) John Storie (Sc Hill) d. Aleksander (Tilghman), 6-0, 6-2; Allission Mansur (UJ) d. (2) Jonathan Allen (CAK), 6-3, 6-2; Semis: (4) Michael McCarty (Catholic) d. Cameron Tillett (Lone Oak), 6-2, 6-1; John Story (Sc Hill) d. Allission Mansur (USJ), 6-2, 6-2 #4 Quarters: (1) Chris Livingston (Vestavia Hills) d. Jared McPherson (CAK), 7-5, 6-2; (4) John Batson (Catholic) d. Aleksander Rowton (Tilghman), 6-0, 6-1; (3) James Markos (USJ) d. Amaad Rana (Spain Park), 6-3, 6-4; (2) Drew Kerr (Sc Hill) d. Chris Dallas (Lone Oak), 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-1; Semis: (1) Chris Livingston (Vestavia Hills) d. (4) John Batson (Knox. Catholic), 2-6, 6-4, 6-2; (2) Drew Kerr (Vestavia Hills) d. (3) James Markos (Univ. School of Jackson), 6-2, 7-5 #5 Quarters: (1) Leo Richard (Vestavia Hills) d. J.C. Moore (Spain Park), 6-0, 6-1; Robert Kaltenbach (Lone Oak) d. (4) Kevin Curtin (Catholic), 6-4, 6-3; (3) Stuart Howell (USJ) d. Kevin Allsop (CAK), 6-3, 6-0; (2) Jordan Eddy (Sc Hill) d. Brock Sigler (Tilghman), 6-1,6-1 Semis: Robert Kaltenbach (Lone Oak) d. (1) Leo Richard (Vestavia Hills), 6-2, 6-0; (2) Jordan Eddy (Science Hill) d. Stuart Howell (Univ. School of Jackson), 6-1, 6-3. #6 Quarters: Lee Dapp (Lone Oak) d. (1) Hayden Holbrook) (Sc Hill), 3-6, 6-2,6-2; (4) Jordan Perchik (USJ) d. Avery Allen (Tilghman), 6-1, 6-1; (3) eric Theodore (Catholic) d. Brian Childers (CAK), 6-3, 6-0; Clark Morson (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Keita Ueno (Spain Park), 6-1, 6-0. Semis: Lee Dapp (Lone Oak) d. (4) Jordan Perchik (Univ. School of Jackson), 2-6, 6-2, 6-1; Clark Morson (Vestavia Hills) d. (3) Eric Theodore (Knox. Catholic), 6-2, 6-0 Doubles #1 Quarters: (1) Magee-Norton (Univ. School Jackson) d. Holcombe-Livingston (Vestavia Hills), 8-3; (4) Widmer-Young (Knox.Catholic) d. Christopher-Nicholas (Spain Park), 10-8; (3) Dickerson-Sparks (CAK) d. Overby-Rowton (Tilghman), 8-3; (2) Smith-Storie (Science Hill) d. Dallas-Tillett (Lone Oak), 8-4 Semis: (4) Young-Widmer (Knox.. Catholic) d. (1) Magee-Norton (Univ.School Jackson), 8-4; Dickerson-Sparks (CAK) d. (2) Smith-Storie (Science Hill), 9-8 (6). #2 Quarters: (1) Kerr-Chen (Science Hill) d. Rana-Schroeder (Spain Park), 8-2; (4) Wang-Morson (Vestavia Hills) d. Croft-Dapp (Lone Oak), 8-5; (3) Allen-McPherson (CAK) d. Mansur-Perchik (Univ. School Jackson), 8-5; Rowton-Schiff (Tilghman) d. (2) Curtin-Batson (Knox. Catholic), 8-4 Semis: (1) Kerr-Chen (Science Hill) d. (4) Wang-Morson (Vestavia Hills), 8-3; Rowton-Schiff (Tilghman) d. (3) Allen-McPherson (CAK), 9-8 (1). #3 Quarters: (1) Eddy-Holbrook (Science Hill) d. Irwin-Allsop (CAK), 8-0; (4) McCarty-Theodore (Knox. Cathoolic) d. Allen-Sigler (Tilghman), 8-0; (3) Richard-Roden (Vestavia Hills) d. Bredniak-Kaltenbach (Lone Oak), 8-6; (2) Howell-Markos (Univ. School Jackson) d. Mitchell-Moore (Spain Park), 8-2 Semis: (1) Eddy-Holbrook (Science Hill) d. (4) McCarty-Theodore (Knox. Catholic), 8-6; (3) Richard-Roden (Vestavia Hills) d. (2) Howell-Markos (Univ. School Jackson), 8-2. Division B Girls results will be posted Saturday night. contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

Rotary Tennis Salutes Lee Murray Tourney Director To Retire Rich sports traditions abound in April as the Masters, the start of another baseball season and the talent- laden Chattanooga Rotary prep tennis tournament are high on the sports menus for many sports fans. And as storied a history as Rotary tennis has - the 53rd tourney begins Friday morning at Baylor, GPS and McCallie with 32 teams from four states vying for four team titles - the catalyst to its longevity, popularity and high quality rests on the more than adequate shoulders of retiring tournament director Lee Murray.. Murray will arrive just past dawn on Friday at the Baylor tennis center - site of the A Division competition for boys and girls - for the 23rd and last time, and with little fanfare, will conduct his duties as director for the next two days. ???I agreed to be the assistant director (to director Bob Lyons) in 1986 and I have been here ever since,'' said Murray. ???It's been fun to be part of this great tournament, but I feel it is time to let others take the reigns.'' Opening matches are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at Baylor (A Division for Boys and Girls), at GPS (B Division Girls) and McCallie (B Division Boys). The format is 8-player brackets for six singles and three doubles in each division. Friday's schedule shows quarterfinals and semifinals in singles, followed by quarters in doubles in the late afternoon. Singles finals are set for Saturday morning, followed by semis and finals in doubles. Teams receive one point for each win. Murray will pass the baton, or more appropriately, clipboard, tournament manual, draw sheets and a wealth of knowledge to fellow Rotarians Jack Webb, who played in the Rotary in the early 1970s for McCallie, and Ward Nelson who have agreed to be co-directors for 2010. ???We cannot replace Lee ??????" not sure anyone can ??????" but we will learn from him and do our best to carry on the great Rotary tournament tradition,'' said Nelson. According to Murray, a partner at Competition Athletic Surfaces, he sends out invitations in the fall and then spends one very intense week in running the event. ???I have some great volunteers which run the various tournament sites and we all work together to make this a fun, competitive event for the players and coaches,'' Murray stated. Looking back on two decades plus of The Rotary, the 56-year-old Akron, Ohio native mentioned a couple of highlights. "It's a lot of fun to see the kids from this tournament go on and play at the college level,'' he said. ''But the real highlights are when the kids and coaches come by on Saturday and thank us for running the tournament. This makes all the hard work worthwhile.'' For all that Murray has meant to one of the South's finest prep tournaments, there should be a myriad of handshakes, pats on the back and well deserved thanks yous by late Saturday afternoon. Food and T-Shirts: Players receive a tournament t-shirt (started in 1986 by former director Bob Lyons) and Subway sandwiches. ???The complementary t-shirt was to be a one time thing in 1986, but over the years it has become free advertising for the tournament and Rotary International all over the South,'' stated Murray. ???Providing sandwiches is also a plus and makes it easy on the out-of-town teams who would otherwise have to go off site for food.'' Coaches Quotes: ''Lee has put in countless hours of work for the benefit of junior players for as long as I have been coaching at GPS. The Rotary is one of the finest high school tournaments in the South and all the credit goes to Lee and his volunteers.'' -- GPS coach Sue Bartlett "Lee Murray has done an outstanding job in running the Chattanooga Rotary. It is a thankless job, that requires a lot of work, and Lee has done it with the utmost enthusiasm and care. The players and coaches from all over the South love this tournament, and I get questions about it all the time. All of that is a credit to Lee and his group of volunteers and the support of the Chattanooga Rotary." -- McCallie coach Eric Voges Rotary Volunteers Baylor - Lee Murray, Jack Webb, Scott Mattice, Charlie King, Hal Robinson, Ward Nelson, Tom DeCosimo, Mike St. Charles, Hugh Morrow, Doug Dyer. GPS - Steve Watson, Pat Neuhoff, Betty Lynn, Lynn Smith, Vance Travis, Jay Robinson, Shawn K-Lee, Donna McConnico, Geoff Young, Martin Summitt. McCallie - Dan Mayfield, Bob Franklin, Don Kent, Rob Taylor, Kemper Harr, Hugh Sharber, Greg Eaves, Chistie Sell. 2009 Tournament: Boys A Division: Defending Rotary and state champion McCallie is the pre-tournament favorite, but will face strong competition from Randolph (Ala.), MBA and St. Xavier (Ky.), among others. ???We have not been on the court much this spring (3-0 in dual matches), so that could be a factor, but we have have six senior starters which hopefully will make a difference,'' said McCallie coach Eric Voges, who won the 1981 Rotary at No.1 singles for the Blue Tornado. Randolph, with four returning starters, is defending Alabama state champ (1A-3A) and has top seeds at Nos.1 and No.2 in Dan Richardson (3.9 GPA) and Anthony Lioce, respectively. Randolph won the 2008 state sportsmanship award. No.1 seeds: Dan Richardson (Randolph), Anthony Lioce (Randolph), Sawyer Voges (McCallie), William Disterdick (McCallie), Davis Thrailkill (MBA), Jameson Seiffert (St. Xavier) Boys B Division: Two-time defending Tennessee state champ Science Hill (AAA) with top seed Chris Smith (2008 AAA state runner-up), and Vestavia Hills with top seeds at Nos. 3-4-5 are at the top of the list to battle for the B crown. No.1 Seeds: Chris Smith (Science Hill), Hunt Magee (Univ. School Jackson), Austin Wang (Vestavia Hills), Chris Livingston (Vestavia Hills), Leo Richard (Vestavia Hills), Hayden Holbrook (Science Hill). Girls A Division: Defending Rotary champ Vestavia Hills and runner-up GPS. The Bruisers have lost three-time state champ Claire Bartlett (now at U. of Virginia), but has a solid team led by Sarah Evans (No.1), Meredith Morrow and Ann Elizabeth Holley. Vestavia Hills is defending Alabama state champion, while GPS was D-II (large school) champs. No.1 Seeds: Cameron Richard (Vestavia Hills), Lauren Levant (Vestavia Hills), Ellie Hammons (Lone Oak), Avery King (Vestavia Hills). Girls B Division: Huntsville shared the 2008 Rotary B title with Walker and was third in the state behind Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook. Huntsville (7-0) is young (only one senior, plus two ninth graders and one seventh grader in the top six) but will be strong. No.1 Seeds: Kati Baker (Spain Park), Anna Brown (Huntsville), Kylie Tillett (Lone Oak), Katherine Walker (Huntsville), Lauren Schroeder (Spain Park), Katie Deal (Science Hill). Name: Originally called the Southern Interscholastic Tennis Tournament, and later the Southern Prep Rotary Tournament ... the Chattanooga Rotary has sponsored the event from the start ??¦ the late Alex Guerry was the first tournament director followed by, among others, Tommy Bartlett, Joe King, Wig Robinson, Cindy Kemp Light, and Lyons prior to Murray. First Year: In 1957, the first tournament had a prep school division and a high school division, won by McCallie and Meridian (Miss.), respectively ??¦ 15 teams from six Southern states ??????" Tenn., Ga., Miss., Ala., La. And Ky. First Champs: In the prep division, McCallie's Hugh Maclellan won the No.1 singles title and teamed with Charlie Moore for the doubles crown ... Ernest Cox (McGill H.S. in Mobile, Ala.) won the high school singles title, while Meridian's Johnny McQuann and Philip George were the best in doubles. Records: (A Division) Championships: Boys - Baylor (28), McCallie (15), Westminster (5), MBA (3), Greenville, S.C., 3), St. Xavier (Ky., 1), Meridian (Miss., 1), McGill (Ala., 1), Belton (S.C., 1), Mountain Brook (Ala., 1), Christ Church Episcopal (S.C., 1) ??¦ totals include the high school division winners, 1957-1972. Consecutive Titles: 10 - Baylor (1980-1989) ??¦ 9 - Baylor (1966-74) ... 3 - Westminster (1959-60-61), McCallie (1963-64-65; 1975-76-77), Baylor (1991-92-93) Girls (41) - GPS (12), Marist (8), Baylor (7), Harpeth Hall (5) Westminster (3) , Mountain Brook (Ala., 2), Webb (2), Greenville (S.C., 1), Lone Oak (Ky., 1) Consecutive Titles: 5 - GPS (1981-85), Baylor (1989-1993) ??¦ 4 - Marist (1994-97; 2000-03) Singles: 6 - Zan Guerry (Baylor; 1962-67) 3 - Doug Stewart (Anniston, Ala., 1958-59-60), Charlie Owens (Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1966-67-68) 2 - Chris Brown (Notre Dame), Roscoe Tanner (Baylor), Pem Guerry (Baylor), Mel Purcell (Murray, Ky.), John Corse (Westminster), Mark Styslinger (Baylor), Chris Woodruff (Knox. Bearden), Eddie Coates (Bradley Central), Bo Seal (Baylor) Doubles: 5 - Zan Guerry (Baylor, 1962-64, 66-67) ... Guerry won with Jay Reynolds, Peter Parrott, David Deadrick and Tony Ortiz, twice. 3 - Pem Guerry-Wes Cash (Baylor, 1973-74-75) ??¦ John Pickens (Tuscaloosa County, 1961-62-63 ??¦ partners were Jack Jackson (twice) and Tom Kendall. Singles: 3 - Shannon McCarthy (Marist, 1985, 1987-88), Audra Brannon (Hixson, 1988-89-90 - in ???B'' Division) 2 - Laura Duffy (GPS), Kappie Clark (GPS), Susan Hill (Red Bank), Wendy White (Westminster), Natalie Frazier (Marist), Brooke Cordell (Baylor), Brandi Cordell (Baylor), Claire Bartlett (GPS) Doubles: 3 - Caroline Thompson (Marist, with Molly Rollaver, Kristina Donehew, Aimee Smith); Kristina Donehew (Marist; with Caroline Thompson, Courtney Rollaver, twice) NCAA Champions: George Dickinson (Univ. of Chattanooga, singles), Charlie Owens (Samford, singles) and Roscoe Tanner (Stanford, doubles ) ... all played in the Rotary tournament. Divisions: The Rotary started with boys prep and high school divisions; 1957-1972 ??¦ added a girls prep division in 1968 ??¦ went to A and B divisions in boys and girls in 1973 ... have also had a boys C division ??¦ four divisions in 2009. Locations: 9 - over the years matches have been played at Baylor, Brainerd, Fairyland Club, GPS, Hixson Racquet Club, Manker Patten, McCallie, Sewanee and UTC. Co-Champs Four Times: two boys teams have shared the title on four occasions ??¦ 1969 ??????" Westminster and Greenville tied for the high school title ??¦ 1997 ??????" Baylor and MUS (12 pts.) ??¦ 1998 ??????" McCallie, Baylor (16 pts.) ??¦ 1999 ??????" Baylor, St. Xavier (16 pts.) Marist Dynasty ??¦ Marist won 12 state Georgia state titles (1995-2006) and won seven Rotary crowns in that span ??¦ Marist's first of eight Rotary title came in 1994, a year before its march through the Peach State. Future Pros - many have gone on from the Rotary to play on the pro tour ??¦ a few names include Zan Guerry, Roscoe Tanner, Brian Gottfried, Chris Woodruff, Mel Purcell, Charlie Owens. Highlights: 50 Years Ago: 1959 - Westminster wins its first of three straight in the prep division ??¦ Greenville S.C. wins its first of two titles in the high school division ??¦ Charles Benedict (Westminster) and Doug Stewart (Anniston) are singles winners. 40 Years Ago: 1969 - The first co-champions ??????" Westminster and Greenville, S.C. - are crowned in the high school division ??¦ Baylor wins its fourth of nine straight in the prep division and GPS beats Westminster. 30 Years Ago: 1979 ??????" McCallie edges Baylor, 20-19, as Eric Voges and Ted Lathem (1980 state doubles winners) clinched the win at No. 3 doubles ??¦ Harpeth Hall wins its first of five over the next decade ??¦ Ken Hirsch (Lovett) and Margie Brown (Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett) claim No.1 singles ??¦ Baylor's Mark Styslinger-Bayly Taff take doubles along with Liz Jamison-Kathy Denton. 20 Years Ago: 1989 - Baylor girls win their first team title in just its third year of existence ??¦ Lori Smith (singles) and Lori Ann Freedman-Lori Smith (doubles) are winners for the Red Raiders ??¦ Chris Woodruff (Knox. Bearden), who would later be ranked as high as 29 on the ATP tour, wins his first of two Rotary singles crowns (1989, 1991). 10 Years Ago: 1999 ??????" Baylor and St. Xavier (Ky.) tie with 16 points ??¦ third straight years with a tie in the Boys A Division ??¦ Baylor wins in the girls as Brooke Cordell takes her second crown ??¦ William Boyles (McCallie) wins for the boys. Other Highlites: 1963 - Westminster wins the first of two high school division crowns after three titles in the prep division 1968 - A girls division is created and GPS wins all six singles and three doubles ??¦ Laura Duffy wins the first of two singles titles ??¦ Baylor and Roscoe Tanner win in the prep divisions, while Charlie Owens (Tuscaloosa) wins his third singles and Greenville, S.C. captures its second of three championships. 1970 - Baylor wins the boys title as David Dick and Joe Garcia-Dick are champs ??¦ Baylor wins its third national title in four years; 1967, 1969-70. 1972 - Baylor boys score 35 of a maximum 36 points ??¦ Red Raider champs are David Dick (singles) and Dick and Buzz Willett (doubles). 1975 - Baylor's Wes Cash and Pem Guerry win their third straight doubles title .. only team to date in Rotary history to do so. 1977 - Girls: In the No.1 finals, Wendy White (Westminster) hands three-time state champ Susan Hill (Red Bank) her only singles loss in high school ??¦ White will also win in 1978 ... Susan and sister, Carolyn, win at No.1 doubles. 1978 - Westminster has singles champs in John Corse and Wendy White as well as the girls team title. 1980s - Baylor boys dominate the decade with 10 crowns. 1990 - McCallie ends Baylor's 10-year reign ??¦ Van Van Lingen (Brentwood Academy) takes singles crown ??¦ Baylor is girls team winner and Deena Raja (Harpeth Hall) is top individual winner. 1993 - ''Let It Snow ..'' ??¦ Rotary has snow for the first time on Friday April 3 ??¦ Singles champs are Tommy Thomas (Lovett) and Lorraine Bittles of Brentwood Academy (No.1 in the South, No.11 in nation) ??¦ Baylor sweeps team titles. 1995 - MBA wins first of three titles ... McGugin brothers, Dan and Bill claim first of two doubles titles. 1998 - Bo Hodge of Athens Academy win singles ??¦ ranked No.6 in boys 16s. contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

that's not Zach's first loss. he lost at least once last year (not in a Baylor uniform) .. undefeated in high school matches (89-0). b.b.b.

Independence Wins Scenic City Classic Upsets No.1 Farragut Using a near flawless pitching performance by Ford Wilson, a sparkling defense behind him and timely hitting, Independence won the 10th annnual Powerade Scenic City Classic, 8-2, at AT&T Field Saturday night and upset the nation's top team - Knoxville Farragut - in the process. Wilson's first start of the young season resembled a Cadililac rather than a Ford, as he scattered four Admiral hits in six scoreless innings before giving way to reliever Brian Miller in the seventh. The victors scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, before a six spot in the home half of the sixth inning. "I think we wanted it (the championship) more than Farragut did and our intensity and execution were keys to our win,'' said Independence coach Bill Moore, who has eight starters back from 2008. "When we are firing on all cylinders, as we did tonight, we are a tough team to beat.'' In the fourth, Blake Carden's RBI double plated Josh Lee (who opened the inning with a single) and the Eagles had a 1-0 lead. They added another run in the sixth as an infield error allowed Jimmy Mahan (who opened the inning with a single) to score from third. Independence then broke the game open with six runs in the sixth to lead 8-0. Ten batters produced five hits and six runs, aided by two errors and a hit batsman. The big blow was Josh Lee's two out, three-run double for the 8-0 lead. Lee, a junior, has committed to play at Vanderbilt. The defending state champion Admirals didn't go down without a fight as they scored twice in the seventh and had runners on second and third with one out before a game-ending double play sealed the win. "We had to play a near flawless game tonight to have chance to win and that is what happened,'' said coach Moore. "We had two guys throwing in the bullpen all night in anticipation of Farragut getting hot. Fortunately, we had an eight run lead when they had a rally. "If we play them 10 times, they most likely win nine of those. It just so happened that the one for us was tonight,'' Moore stated. Good Defense: Eagles substitute third baseman Adam Lee was stellar at the hot corner, starting a double play in the fifth and had four assists and one putout ... Eagles catcher Matt Daffin picked a Farrgut runner off first base in the third ... second baseman Dane Owen started the game-ending double play with a catch of a line drive and a toss to Josh Lee covering second for the force out preserve the win. CNN Play of the Day: In the top of the fifth, Adam Lee made the "play of the day'' and probably the tournament ... with no out and a Farragut runner on second, he caught a foul fly leaning over the Farrgut dugout railing for one out and then threw to shortstop Josh Lee covering third to get the runner attempting to advance to complete the double play ... Sixties great third basemen Brooks Robinson (Orioles) and Clete Boyer (Yankees) would have been impressed. Big Hitters: Independence - Josh Lee (3-for-4, 2 Doubles 2B, 3 RBIs, 2 Runs) ... Blake Carden (3-for-3 ... 2 Doubles ... 1 RBI ... 1 Run) Farragut - Steven Weaver (1-for-3 ... 2 run double) Farragut 000 000 2 - 2-6-3 Independence 000 116 x - 8-11-1 Thoreson, Leavell (6) and Bennett; Wilson, Miller (6) and Daffin WP - Ford Wilson (6 Inn. ... 4 Hits ... 2 Runs ... 2 Earned Runs ... 1K) LP - Mac Thoreson (6 Inn. ... 6 Hits ... 2 Runs ... 1 Earned Run ... 2Ks) Save - Brian Miller (1 Inn. ... 2 Hits ... O Runs ... 1 K) Records: Independence (7-1), Farragut (7-1) 2B - (Ind.) Josh Lee (2), Matt Daffin; (Far) Steven Weaver, Nick Williams; 3B - (Ind.) Ford Wilson *Championship Independence 8, Farragut 2 *Semifinals Independence 3, Dalton 2 Farragut 11, Riverdale 1 *3rd Place Riverdale 7, Dalton 4 *2nds From Pool Play Science Hill 2, McCallie McCallie 5, Soddy Daisy 4 Baylor 9, Soddy Daisy 4 Baylor 14, Science Hill 7 *3rds from Pool Play Rome 14, Red Bank 0 Brentwood 6, Red Bank 3 ------------------------ Pool Play 2nds - Conso Finals McCallie 5, Soddy Daisy 4 The Blue Tornado rallied for four runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Soddy Daisy, 5-4, in the consolation finals between second place teams. The first five McCallie batters reached base in the sixth to produce the four runs. Guerin Higgins opened the sixth with a single, Stuart Voges reached base on a fielder's choice and doubles by Chase Brookshire and Nolan Woody produced two runs. Bobby Baskette's two-run double which plated Voges and Woody turned out to be the game winning hit. McCallie took a 1-0 lead in the second on consecutive singles by Andy Brown and David Dewhirst. The Trojans scored two in the fourth and two in the sixth for a 4-1 lead before the Tornado rally. In the Trojan fourth, Stewart opened with a Blake Stewart single followed by Justin Baier's two-run homer for a 2-1 lead. In the sixth, Soddy Daisy had RBI singles by Cris Manka and Hayden Clark. Soddy Daisy was led by Zach Stephens (2-for-3), Stewart (2-for-3, 1 run), Baier (HR, 2 RBIs, 1 Run) and Clark (2-for-3, 1 RBI). McCallie was led by Brookshire (2-for-3, 1 run), Baskette (2-for-3, 2 RBIs, 1 Stolen Base), Woody (1-for-3, 1 RBI) Soddy Daisy 000 202 0 - 4-8-1 McCallie 010 004 x - 5-7-0 Hodges and Baier; Harrison, Teal (4) and Woody WP - Justin Teal (3 Inn. ... 4 Hits ... 2 runs ... 2 Earned Runs ... 1K) LP - Hodges (6 Inn. ... 7Hits ... 5 Runs ... 5 Earned Runs ... 1K) Records: McCallie (6-3), Soddy Daisy (3-4) HR - (SD) Justin Baier ... 2B - (McC) Brookshire, Woody; (SD) Stephens, Howard CNN Play of the Day: Top of the sixth, McCallie right fielder Chase Brookshire threw out Michael Howard at the plate attempting to score from second on a single by Clark to end the inning. McCallie left fielder John Brock also threw out a Science Hill runner at the plate in the second inning in the 2-1 loss to the Hilltoppers in the morning game. contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

Saturday Schedule Championship Semis: McCallie 1 p.m. - Independence vs. Dalton [/size]Baylor 1 p.m. - Riverdale vs. No.1 in nation Farragut finals is at AT&T Field at 7 p.m. other teams play for 2nd, 3rd etc. at 10, 1 and 4 scores from today (Fri) Pool A Independence 15, Rome 0 Independence 7, McCallie 5 (Thurs) McCallie 13, Rome 1 Pool B Dalton 14, Red Bank 3 Dalton 12, Science Hill 10 (Thurs) Science Hill 7, Red Bank 2 Pool C Riverdale 15, Pope John Paul II 5 Soddy Daisy 8, Pope John Paul II 3 (Thurs) Riverdale, 12 Soddy 6 Pool D Baylor 7, Brentwood 6 Farragut 11, Brentwood 5 (Thurs) Farragut 11, Baylor 5 Scenic City Classic Semis at 1 p.m.[/font] Farragut vs. Riverdale; Independence vs. Dalton [/size] The top prep baseball team in the land - Knoxville Farragut - along with Riverdale, Dalton and Independence all won their respective pools today and advanced to Saturday's championship semifinals in the 10th annual Powerade Scenic City Classic. The semis are set for 1 p.m. with Independence (5-1) facing Dalton at McCallie, while Farragut (6-0) takes on Riverdale (7-0) at Baylor. The winners play for the championship at 7 p.m. at AT&T Field. The losers play for third at McCallie at 7 p.m.[/size] Saturday's Games [/size]2nd Place Pool Teams (10 a.m.) [/size]Science Hill at McCallie ... Soddy Daisy at Baylor 4 p.m. - winners play at McCallie; losers play at Baylor 3rd Place Pool Teams (10 a.m.) Rome vs. Red Bank at McCallie (Field 2) ... Pope John Paul II vs. Brentwood at Red Bank 1 p.m. - winners play at Red Bank; losers play at McCallie (Field 2) Independence 7, McCallie 5 Matt Daffin had a double and an RBI and scored three times to lead Independence (5-1) to a 7-5 win against McCallie (5-2) Friday night. Independence also beat Rome, 15-0, in the afternoon and won Pool A to advance to Saturday's semis (1 p.m.) against Pool B winner Dalton. Pool C winner, Riverdale, meets Pool D winner, Farragut, in the other semifinal game. Brandon Rowe (1-0) (Lipscomb University signee) allowed one earned run and scattered five hits in six innings of work for the win. For McCallie, Stuart Voges had two hits and a sacrifice fly and an RBI, plus a stolen base. Pitcher Chase Brookshire (three hits, one earned run; six strikeouts) had a single, two walks, a stolen base and scored three times. Independence scored three in the top of the seventh for a 7-3 lead as Tanner Bellefant and Daffin had back-to-back RBI doubles, followed by Blake Carden's RBI single. McCallie rallied in the home half of the seventh for two runs and had the bases loaded with one out, but reliever Josh Lee was able to get out of the jam. McCallie used a walk, two errors and an RBI single by Bobby Baskette for the two runs. Neither team played well in the field committing a combined 14 errors. Ind. 012 001 3 - 7-7-5 McC 002 010 2 - 5-7-9 Rowe, Lee (7) and Daffin; Brookshire, Reynolds (6) and Woody WP - Brandon Rowe (1-0) ... 8 ks ... 5 hits ... 3 runs ... 1 earned run LP - Chase Brookshire ... 6 Ks ... 3 hits ... 4 runs ... 1 earned run contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

non Scenic City game .. Farragut 12, McCallie 2 ... winning pitcher, Logan Hess .. Cade Stallings (3 run HR, 2B # RBIs) for Farragut (4-0) Pool A: McCallie 13, Rome 1 ... John Brock grand slam HR for McCallie WP - Ethan Speicher (2-0); LP - John Latham .. McCallie (5-1) Rome (3-4) Pool B: Science Hill 7, Red Bank 2 Pool C: Riverdale 12, Soddy Daisy 6 Pool D: Farragut 11, Baylor 5 Phillip Pfeifer (WP) vs. Chase Riemer (LP) .. I understand that Pfeifer was pulled after five or six innings and then Baylor scored four. Riemer held the Admirals to one earned run on five hits in five innings ... He left the game trailing 4-0. Story and Notes: Farragut Tops Baylor in Scenic City Classic McCallie, Science Hill, Riverdale also win Tommy Pharr, head coach of the nation's top-ranked Farragut Admirals, gave the ball to highly-touted sophomore Phillip Pfeifer in Thursday night's game with Baylor and the sophomore didn't disappoint his coach or teammates in an 11-5 win against the host Red Raiders (2-4) in the Scenic City Classic opener for both teams. Pfeifer, who was 13-1 as a freshman in 2008, faced Red Raider ace Will Stansell and left the game with a 9-1 lead. The Admirals (5-0) also defeated McCallie, 12-2, in the afternoon in a non-tournament game. In other tournament games, McCallie (5-1) topped Rome, 13-1, Science Hill defeated Red Bank, 7-2, and Riverdale (6-0) defeated host Soddy Daisy, 12-6. Friday's Schedule: (tourney record in parentheses) McCallie 1 p.m. - Soddy Daisy (0-1) vs. Pope John Paul II (0-0) ??????" Pool C 4 p.m. - Independence (0-0) vs. Rome (0-1) - Pool A 7 p.m. - McCallie (1-0) vs. Independence ??????" Pool A Baylor 1 p.m. - Baylor (0-1) vs. Brentwood (0-0) ??????" Pool D 4 p.m. - Riverdale (1-0) vs. Pope John Paul II ??????" Pool C 7 p.m. - Farragut (1-0) vs. Brentwood ??????" Pool D Red Bank 4 p.m. - Science Hill (1-0) vs. Dalton (0-0) ??????" Pool B 7 p.m. - Red Bank (0-1) vs. Dalton ??????" Pool B McCallie 13, Rome 1 Blue Tornado senior John Brock was 3-for-3 with a double and a grand slam home run, while teammate Chase Brookshire was 2-for-3 and four RBIs for the winners. Pitcher Ethan Speicher improved to 2-0 on the season with four strikeouts. Stephen Gaylor was 2-for-2 for Rome, while teammate David Heller had the RBI on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Rome 100 00 - 1-4-1 McCallie 043 6x ??????" 13-12-0 Latham, Reeves, Hall and Andrews; Speicher and Woody WP - Ethan Speicher (2-0); LP - John Latham Strikeouts: Speicher (7) Notes: Senior John Brock's grand slam was his first home run in his high school career ??¦ ''The last time I hit a home run was six years ago when I was 12 playing in the Lookout Mountain Dixie Youth Baseball league,'' said Brock. Hitting Streak: John Brock has had at least one hit in all six games this season. ** Non Scenic City Game Farragut 12, McCallie 2 In the battle of unbeatens, Farragut improved to 4-0 on the season as winning pitcher Logan Hess and Marshall Leavall scattered seven Tornado hits and allowed two runs in the victory. Cade Stallings had a double and three-run home run for the winners, while teammate Nicky Delmonico had a double and a pair of RBIs. McCallie's Stuart Voges had two hits. ???We hit the ball well in both games today,'' said McCallie coach Chris Richardson after the 13-1 triumph against Rome. ???We hit the ball hard against Farragut, but they made the plays when they had to and kept us out of a couple of big innings. I am pleased with how we did today.'' Farragut 003 513 12-11-0 McCallie 001 010 2-7-2 Hess, Leavall (5) and Bennett; Baskette, Souther (4), Teal and Dewhirst WP - Hess; LP - Baskette (0-1) HR - Cade Stallings (Farragut) Batting: Farragut - Stallings; 2B, HR, 3 RBIs ??¦ Nicky Delmonico; 2B, 2 RBIs McCallie - Stuart Voges; 2-for-3 ??¦ John Brock; 1-for-3 Scouting: A Cincinnati Reds scout was at the game and mentioned that sophomore pitcher Phillip Pfeifer and sophomore second baseman Nicky Delmonico have a real good chance to be drafted in two years ??¦ Pfeifer was 13-1 as a freshman on the Admirals state championship team last spring ??¦ The scout was there to watch the sophomores as well as Division I signees Stallings (Louisville), Jordan Cooper (Ole Miss) and Curt Powell (Vanderbilt). He also had planned to be at the 7 p.m. Science Hill at Red Bank game to watch Red Bank's Alan Walden (Tenn.) and Hunter Adkins (MTSU) and Benjamin McKinney (Ga. Tech) of Science Hill. Gold Medals: The Admiral super sophs were part of Team USA (16-and-under) which won the gold medal in the Youth Pan-AmChampionship this past September. The American Nine (8-0) defeated host Mexico, 7-3, in the title game. Delmonico hit .368 in eight games, while Pfeifer had 10 strikeouts and gained the win in the gold medal contest. Slick Fielding: In the home half of the third, McCallie trailed 3-1 but was threatening with two out, two on and one in ??¦ McCallie's David Dewhirst hit a ground ball past Farragut first baseman Mac Thoreson, but Delmonico went into the hole to make the tough play and throw out Dewhirst to end the inning ??¦ Delmonico is the son of former Tennessee head coach Rod Delmonico, who is The Netherlands coach in the World Baseball Classic. contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net story also on chattanoogan.com

Knoxville Farragut Favored in Scenic City Classic Admirals are No. 1 in Nation CHATTANOOGA 3/19/09 -- The nation's top prep baseball team - Knoxville Farragut High School - is in town this weekend for the 12-team Scenic City Classic which starts today at four locations. The 10th annual prep baseball tournament opens this afternoon with a marquee matchup at 4 p.m., as host McCallie puts its undefeated mark (4-0) on the line against four-time Scenic City champ Farragut Admirals (3-0). Four games are on tap for 7 p.m. as Rome is at McCallie, Farragut travels across the river to Baylor, Science Hill is at Red Bank and Riverdale is at Soddy Daisy. Dalton, Pope John Paul II, Brentwood and Independence are in action on Friday. The Admirals, ranked No.1 by Unapproved Website and Crosschecker.com and defending AAA state champs, are led by NCAA Division I signees Cade Stallings (3B, .462 in 2008), who is headed to Louisville, while Jordan Cooper (P, 7-1, 2.08 ERA, 85 Ks) has signed with Ole MIss. Shortstop and 2008 Knoxville-area player-of-the-year Curt Powell batted .493 with 56 RBIs and eight home runs a year ago, while sophomore Phillip Pfeifer was 13-1 with a 1.14 ERA as a freshman.[/size] Pool play continues Friday, with Saturday's semifinals at McCallie and Baylor at 1 p.m., and the championship game scheduled for AT&T Field at 7 p.m. "This should be a great three days of baseball as we have one of the best teams in the country in Farragut, Baylor returns to defend its title, Riverdale and Red Bank are always tough and Science Hill has been in the state tournament the past three years,'' said McCallie coach Chris Richardson. Pool A: McCallie, Independence, Rome Pool B: Red Bank, Science Hill, Dalton Pool C: Soddy Daisy Riverdale, Pope John Paul II Pool D: Baylor, Farragut, Brentwood Undefeated: Riverdale (5-0), McCallie (4-0), Farragut (3-0) Scenic City Champs: Farragut leads with four titles (2001-03-04-05), while Baylor (2008), Science Hill (2007), Evangelical Christian School (2005) and Christian Brothers (2000) are the other winners .. No champion was crowned in 2002 as rain washed out the semis and finals. Championship Games: The title game has been played at AT&T Field (2007, 2008), BellSouth Park (2006) and Engel Stadium (2000-01, 03-04-05). State Champs: Farragut and Baylor have won state titles in this decade ... Farragut has won the AAA state title four times; 2003-04-06-08 ... Baylor won Division II in 2003 and 2006. Nationally-Ranked: Farragut is No.1 by Crosschecker.com and Unapproved Website and No.3 by Baseball America. contact B.B. Branton at [/font]william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

Raymond won second match 3-0 . b.b.b.

Chattanooga Wrestling Officials Association Dinner Monday March 9 at Wally's in East Ridge .. Mike Parker emceed the awards presentation .. Mike Craft introduced all Region 3 & Region 4 state medalists ... Awards: Coach of the Year - Garrick Hall, Hixson (A/AA state duals champs, 23-4) Coach of the Decade - Steve Logsdon, Bradley Central Service Award - given to Charlie and Carol Goss .. Carol is a vital part member of so many tournament staffs and Charlie has been chairman of the Chattanooga elementary wrestling league for 40 years ... Wrestler of the Year - Jake Young, Ooltewah ... state champ (171) Doc Hodges Scholarship Award - Cody Hood, Ooltewah .. $500 scholarship given to a high school senior ... officials send four, $500 checks to colleges each fall ... scholarship money comes from profits made at the officials golf tournament in May ... this year's tournament will be at Brown Acres ... date has not been set ... Danny Gilbert should have a date soon. scholarship is not based on wrestling accomplishments, but leadership, character and giving back to the sport, etc. Cody is the 11th recipient of the scholarship ... past recipients have attended or are attending Ga. Tech, Michigan State, Southern Miss., UTC (4), Centre College, Cumberland and Princeton. Don Elsea Award (injured in the line of duty, sacrificing one's body, etc., etc.) - presented to Josh Craft for almost being knocked out in a match while signaling back points during the Region 3 traditional tourney and still trying to blow his whistle to stop the match. South End of a North Bound Mule Award - given to an unnamed official ... Heath Eslinger (to much applause and laughter from the crowd) and Max Ofori accepted on behalf of an official who was not in attendance... presented by Jeff Rufolo (who else?).. who has stupendously held the award in high esteem the past 12 months. Young Officials Needed: Don Elsea encouraged high school seniors who do not plan to wrestle in college to become officials ... Mike Craft said that the first officials meeting for 2009-2010 is the first Wednesday in Oct. at 7 p.m. in the Goss Building at East Ridge High School. UTC Recognized: Chris Bono gave a short recap on winning the Southern Conference title (five straight) with six champions ... those six will compete at the NCAAs, March 19-21 in St. Louis ... Coach Bono was Coach of the Year, Cody Cleveland, co-Wrestler of the Year and Jason McCroskey, Freshman of the Year ... Bono encouraged the seniors who are still undecided about where to wrestle to give UTC a try for at least a year ... b.b.b.

I was afraid of that ... had hoped he would be able to attend the tourney in 2010, being the 50th. City beat Red Bank by two points for the title. Ronnie dec. Don Grob of Red Bank, 6-1, in the finals at 119 .. Red Bank also lost at 138 ... City has six in the finals and won two. RB has six in finals and won four. b.b.b. b.b.b.

is this the Ronnie Wilson who wrestled for Everett and won it in 1961..? b.b.b.

Prayers For A Wrestling Nation Mat News and Notes The Nation - the Greenback High School Wrestling Nation to be exact - grieves today as it has lost one of its most beloved citizens. Renee Roissier Miller, mother of nine, including 2009 state medalists and team co-captains Jeremy (135) and Jackie (189), and the wife of Jamie Miller for 24 years died last Wednesday. Her life ended at age 50 in a senseless death caused by a then friend of the family and her absence at future Cherokee matches will cause a void no one will be able to, nor will attempt to fill. Many associated with The Wrestling Nation are mourning her death and praying for and consoling the Miller family. This Friday (March 13), numerous family and friends will honor Renee's life in a 2 p.m. memorial service in Butcher Auditorium at Hiwassee College (225 Hiwassee College Drive) in Madisonville, Tenn. Seven boys and two girls have lost their mom, but her memory and the exemplary life she led will be remembered through The Miller Children Fund. Donations can be sent in care of the Miller family to: Regions Bank 101 Tellico Street South Madisonville, Tenn. 37354 ???Jackie has been in the Greenback program since the eighth grade and in that five year period the one constant in our booster program was Renee and Jamie,'' said Greenback wrestling coach Justin Ridge. "Renee was full of energy and enthusiasm and loved the wrestlers and did whatever she could for the team.'' With all the zeal she had for the team, that dedication was far exceeded by her love and devotion she had for her family. ???She truly loved those kids and would do anything for them,'' stated coach Ridge. The Laurel, Del. native had the midas touch when it came to sports with national honors in field hockey at Salisbury State (Md.), where she and Jamie met, and later in body building. The adventuresome types, the young couple sought adventure and fortune in ???The Last Frontier'' known as Alaska nearly a quarter of a century ago. In 1994, while keeping business connections in the northwest, they moved four time zones to the East to raise kids and animals in east Tennessee. To see Renee at youth athletic events in Loudon County the past several years was a common occurrence as she passed on her knowledge, love and passion for sports to the area's youth in soccer, swimming and gymnastics. The Rarity Bay Rangers precision horseback drill team was also the product of her handy work. She even took her turn on the mat as she and oldest child, Joannie, assisted with the youth wrestling program. The Nation's youth and varsity wrestling programs have clearly been dealt a staggering blow in recent days. But Renee would want the coaches, wrestlers and families of Greenback to look forward and continue the success of the past few years. In the movie ???Brian's Song,'' the actor portraying football great Gayle Sayers said in an acceptance speech, ???Tonight, when you hit your knees, ask God to be with Brian Piccolo.'' Today, The Wrestling Nation asks for prayers not only for the family of the one they have lost, but for all who are touched by this tragedy. *Officials Dinner: The Chattanooga area wrestling officials dinner is tonight (Monday) at Wally's Restaurant in East Ridge at 6 p.m. State medalists from Region 3 and 4 will be recognized, as well as coach of the year and the recipient of the Doc Hodges Scholarship. *Mocs to the NCAAs: Six UTC wrestlers won Southern Conference titles on Saturday in Charleston, S.C. and earned berths in the NCAA Division I national tournament in St. Louis, Mo., March 19-21. UTC won its fifth straight team title with 104 points, while UNC-Greensboro was second with 74 points in the six-team field. The Mocs have won 24 SoCon mat titles since 1978. Weight class winners and NCAA qualifiers were Demetrius Johnson (Redshirt Fr., 125), All-American Cody Cleveland (Jr., 141), Daniel Waddell (Redshirt Fr., 149), Joey Knox (Jr., 157) Seth Garvin (Sr., 165) and Jason McCroskey (Redshirt Fr., 174). Cleveland and Garvin won their second SoCon title. Johnson was a No. 3 seed and beat top-seeded Tyler Sim (The Citadel), 7-3, the finals, while second- seeded Knox decisioned No.1 seed Andrew Saunders (UNCG), 7-1, in the finals. The other four Moc champions were top seeds. *Moc Awards: UTC swept the SoCon wrestling awards as Cleveland is the co-Wrestler of the Year, McCroskey is the Freshman of the Year and Chris Bono is the Coach of the Year for the third straight year. Cleveland shares the award with Chris Bencivenga (UNCG). *Halls of Fame: Cleveland: Al Miller, longtime head coach at Cleveland High School, will be inducted into the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame this Friday (March 13). For tickets to the dinner call the Cleveland Recreation Department at (423) 479-4129. Miller is also a member of the Red Bank High School Hall of Fame, Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame and the Tennessee chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Currently an assistant coach at Cleveland, Miller's head coaching record is 382-167 with five state team championships. Chattanooga: The Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame was Feb. 23. Former state champions Chris Meadows and David Weeks were among the inductees. Meadows was a three-time state champ at Red Bank (1965-66-67), while Weeks won his state crown in 1973 and was a two-time NCAA Division II national champ (1975, 1976) for the Mocs. Former McCallie wrestler Josh Wheeler received the Allan Morris/Jim Morgan award for overcoming great physical challenges. Wheeler was diagnosed with brain cancer as a senior at McCallie in 2006 and was a Division II state finalist in 2005. He received the Medal of Courage award for Tennessee in 2007 at the state's annual national wrestling hall of fame dinner. Wheeler earned honorable mention All-American honors as a tri-athlete within six months of his second surgery and was Southeastern Junior Tri-Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2007. *State Tourney Notes: Strike Up The Band: Two-time state champ Daniel Baucke (4.0 GPA) of Christian Brothers leads the drum section in the CBHS band, which is the nation's oldest high school band. Small World: Division II state finalists at 171, Wes Wesley (Father Ryan) and Jim Ferguson (Baylor), have family ties to Lookout Mountain. Ferguson's parents, Mac Ferguson and Sally Robinson Ferguson, both grew up on Lookout Mountain (and are current residents), while Wesley's mom, Susie Burkhart Wesley, also grew up on Lookout Mountain. Sally's brothers, Curt, Dan and Wejun all wrestled for McCallie, while Mac wrestled for Baylor. Wesley decisioned Ferguson, 7-4, in the finals to defend his title and help Ryan win the state traditional team championship. Ferguson had beaten Wesley, 6-3, in the state duals finals (won by Baylor) in Nashville, February 7. Both wrestlers are juniors. Contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

Lane beat him in the dual at the start of the year. not sure of the score or who had the takedowns. I have Lane's #. I'll give him a call. b.b.b.

thanks. it's the greater Chattanooga area/north Georgia team. Chattanooga up to Cleveland and north Georgia. b.b.b.

Prep Wrestling's Super Team Jake Young, Derrick Laney are OWs Unbeaten state champs Jake Young (Ooltewah) and Derrick Laney (Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe) have been selected as co-outstanding wrestlers for the 2008-09 Chattanoogan.com Prep Wrestling Super Team for the greater Chattanooga/north Georgia areas. Young (171) was 39-0 and will wrestle at UT-Chattanooga in the fall, while Laney (215), a junior, was 46-0. Young also won a state title in 2007, while Laney is a two-time defending state champ. Coach of the Year honors goes to Hixson's Garrick Hall who led the Wildcats to the A/AA state duals championship. Joining Young and Laney on the first team are Tyler Pitts (103, Bradley Central), Zach Watson (112, Baylor), Logan Biddy (119, Bradley Central), Stuart Doster (125, Baylor), Cody Hood (130, Ooltewah), David Graham (Bradley Central) and Matthew Stanfield (LaFayette) at 135, Jonathan Taylor (140, Red Bank), Chanse Hayes (Baylor) and Zach Hopkins (Heritage) at 145, Justin Ownby (152, LaFayette), Josh Disney (160, Bradley Central), David Helton (189, Baylor) and Adam Peters (285, Cleveland). Perfect Record: Zach Watson (Baylor, 44-0); Jake Young (Ooltewah, 39-0), Derrick Laney (LFO, 46-0). Most Wins: Taylor Duckworth (Dalton, 75-6) at 160. Area coaches and officials gave input on the selection of the team. 103 1. Tyler Pitts (Bradley, So., 30-4); state champ (D-I) 2. Bryan Alvarado (Cleveland, Sr., 39-6); 3rd in state (D-I) 3. Eduardo Gutirrez (Dalton, Sr., 58-11); 3rd in state (AAAA) Honorable Mention: Hayden Nichols (Ringgold, 51-10); 3rd in state (AAAA); Gutirrez beat Nichols, 7-3 112 1. Zach Watson (Baylor, Fr., 44-0); state champ (D-II) 2. (tie) Dustin Gardner (Soddy Daisy, Sr., 48-6) ... Preston McCalmon (LaFayette, So., 48-6); both state champions, D-I and AAA, respectively. 4. Ethan Hames (Bradley Central, So., 36-3); 4th at state (D-I) 119 1. Logan Biddy (Bradley Central, Sr., 36-1); state champ (D-I) 2. Brandon Stiffles (Chattooga, Fr., 58-7); state champ (AA) ... beat a defending state champ in finals 3. (tie) Marvin Lopez (Cleveland, So., 34-9) and Alex Manley (Baylor, So., 43-4); both 2nd at state. 125 1. Stuart Doster (Baylor, So., 44-4); state champ (D-II) 2. Michael Hooker (McCallie, Fr., 37-4); 2nd at state (D-II); split two matches with Doster; Doster beat Hooker in state finals 3. Campbell Lewis (Soddy Daisy, Fr., 44-9); Hooker major dec. Lewis, 11-0 130 1. Cody Hood (Ooltewah, Sr., 36-2); state champ (D-I); Hood beat Hayes, 5-3, in OT 2. Cole Hayes (Baylor, Jr., 35-3); a 2008 state champ, Hayes was sick and did not compete in state tournament. 3. Seth Taylor (LaFayette, Jr., 44-9); state champ (AAA) ... Hayes major dec. Taylor, 12-3 Honorable Mention: Taylor Witt (Soddy Daisy, Sr., 46-6); 2nd at state (D-I); was 1-2 vs. Hood; two losses were by two points - region and state finals. 135 1. (tie) David Graham (Bradley, Sr., 34-2) ??¦ Matthew Stanfield (LaFayette, Sr., 37-4) ... Graham is a three-time state champ; Stanfield is a two-time champ. 3. Trey Stavrum (Baylor, Jr., 45-7); 3rd at state (D-II) ... Stavrum split matches with Stanfield; Stavrum dec. Lane, 13-10, at McCallie Invite Honorable Mention: Dalton Lane (Murray County, Sr., 44-9); 3rd at state (AAAA) 140 1. Jonathan Taylor (Red Bank, Jr., 22-2); state champ (D-I) 2. T.J. Duncan (McCallie; So., 38-4); state champ (D-II); Taylor pinned Duncan at McCallie Invitational 3. Derek Murdock (LaFayette. Sr., 41-9); third at state (AAA) 145 1. (tie) Chanse Hayes (Baylor, Sr., 42-1) ... Zach Hopkins (Heritage, Sr., 59-1) ??¦ they split two matches during the season and both were state champs.3. (tie) Chris Aguilar (Bradley Central, Jr., 37-3); 3rd at state (D-I); Josh Lewis (Northwest Whitfield, Jr., 51-12); 3rd at state (AAAA) Honorable Mention Joe Franks (LaFayette, Sr., 41-11); 3rd at state (AAA); Lewis pinned Franks 152 1. Justin Ownby (LaFayette, Jr., 38-4); state champ (AAA) 2. Austin Goodlet (Gordon Lee, Jr., 33-5); state champ (A) 3. Chase Martino (McCallie, So., 37-6); 2nd at state (D-II) 160 1. Josh Disney (Bradley, Sr. 30-6); 2nd at state (D-I) 2. Taylor Duckworth (Dalton, Jr., 75-6); 3rd at state (AAAA) 3. Omar Garcia (Cleveland, Sr., 28-15); 5th at state (D-I) 171 1. Jake Young (Ooltewah, Sr., 39-0); state champ (D-I) 2. Mac Ferguson (Baylor, Jr., 43-11); 2nd at state (D-II); Ferguson pinned Gilbert at McCallie Invite 3. Will Gilbert (LaFayette, Sr., 45-7); 2nd at state (AAA) 189 1. David Helton (Baylor, So., 41-5); 2nd in the state (D-II) 2. Chip Norwood (Cleveland, Jr., 38-10); 5th at state (D-I) 3. Tucker Bolton (Bradley Central, So., 31-8); 6th at state (D-I) Honorable Mention: Tyler Toon (Ooltewah, Jr., 17-5; region champ, state qualifier); pinned Norwood in dual. 215 1. Derrick Laney (Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, Jr., 46-0); state champ (AAA) 2: Max Ofori (Cleveland, Sr. 45-2); 2nd at state (D-I) 3. John Mackey (Baylor, So., 41-15); 2nd at state (D-II) 285 1. Adam Peters (Cleveland, Sr., 44-1); state runner-up (D-I) ; beat Duke, 7-3 2. Chase Duke (Heritage, Sr., 52-2); state champ (AAA); beat McConathy, 2-1 3. Jacob McConathy (Murray County, Sr., 53-6); state champ (AAAA) Outstanding Wrestlers - Derrick Laney (215 lbs., LFO, 46-0) ... Jake Young (171 lbs., Ooltewah, 39-0) ... both undefeated ... Laney pinned 44 of 46 opponents, including D-I champ Nick White (Cookeville) ... Young's perfect season included a win against D-I 160 pound state champ Joe Proctor (Cookeville). Coach of Year: 1. Garrick Hall (Hixson, 23-4) won A/AA state duals and region traditional champ ... beat three-time state duals champ Notre Dame twice, incuding state duals finals ... most state qualifiers (9) in more than five years ... 2. Steve Logsdon (Bradley Central, 22-0) ... Bradley won state duals and traditional (three state champs) ...region duals and traditional crowns. 3. Charles Mitchell (Dalton, 38-9) ... AAAA state duals runner-up (best finish ever) ... 4th at state traditional ... first time as area champs in duals and traditional. 4. Kenny Hill (Heritage, 27-13) ... first year program ... finished third in Ga. state traditional; eight state qualifiers, four medalists, including two champions, and finished in top six in state duals. contact: B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

thanks for the correction. was told that by a Chattanooga area coach ... b.b.b.

thanks. a couple of corrections .. Bill Harlow won the state at 167 so that is the only weight at which he could make the team (if indeed you pick a team of state champs by weight - and there are other ways to pick an all-time team) .. Pat did win in at heavy but might have a better chance at 189 ... Hannah never wrestled in the state ... won one Mid South title in '68 ... came in second in '67 to a heavy from TMI ... yes I think Wells would have trouble with Miller's size .. Bill Emendorfer (Cleveland late 1960s) was a state champ at heavy and won the SEC for UT .. and Pez Whatley won state twice

LaFayette Second at Georgia State Mat Meet The Gwinnett Center Arena (Duluth, Ga.) was rockin' and rollin' Saturday night. It wasn't due to an oldies concert, but from the theatrics and high drama of the 52nd annual Georgia high school state traditional wrestling championship. It's a five ring wrestle royal under one roof, yet without the ropes and no Hulk Hogan. Add a splash of glitz and glamor of a state finals for 140 adrenaline-filled teenagers - 28 boys in 14 weight classes in five classifications - seeking the title of state champion and one understands why all the fuss. In AAA, the LaFayette Ramblers had four champions and 189 points, but finished second to champion Eastside with 204.5 points and four champs. LaFayette winners were Preston McCalmon (112), Seth Taylor (130), Matthew Stanfield (135) and Justin Ownby (152). Eastside avenged a one point loss to the Ramblers at the state duals finals in late January. This weekend was also a match-up of a pair of 2008 state traditional champs, as a year ago Eastside won at AAAA and LaFayette was the best at AA. First year school Heritage (AAA) was third with 89.5 points and two champs in Zach Hopkins (145) and Chase Duke (285). Team Champions: A: Breman ... wins first state traditional title since 1982 AA - Jefferson ... wins its ninth straight title; eight in A and now one in AA AAA: Eastside ... won the AAAA in 2008 AAAA: Whitewater ... wins first traditional title AAAAA: Collins Hill, clearly the best team in the state and one of the best in the South ... has its back-to-back sweep of duals and traditional titles. Entering the AAA championship finals, LaFayette trailed Eastside by 21.5 points and needed all six finalists to win, plus get help from other schools, but that scenario did not occur. AAA Finals: Standings prior to the championship finals: 1. Eastside 189.5 2. LaFayette 168 (weight classes were shuffled, starting at 112) *112 - Preston McCalmon (LaFayette) dec. Cody Durden (Eastside), 4-3 ... McCalmon takes 4-3 lead in first period on two takedowns and it stands up ... 4 team points ... Eastside leads by 17.5 at 189.5 to 172 ... Preston has his state title to go along with a national team title of his dad's (Greg) for Carson Newman football ... first of three head-to-head meetings between Eastside and LaFayette. *152 - Justin Ownby (LaFayette) dec. James Bennett (Carrollton), 12-6 ... Ownby leads 6-2 after one ... and still up 6-5 in the third ... Bennett closes to 7-6 in the third, but Ownby has takedown and 3-pt near fall for 12-6 win ... 4 team points for LaFayette ... Eastside leads by 13.5 at 189.5 to 176. *140 - Trevor Bailey (Eastside) major dec. Cody Bollinger (Gilmer), 12-4 ... 5 team points for Eastside ... lead is 18.5 at 194.5 to 176. *160 - Jonathan Palmer (Eastside) pinned Brandon Scott (Westover), 5:25. Eastside increases lead by 24.5 at 200.5 to 176. *103 - Brian Butler (Carrollton) dec. Caleb Morris (White County), 5-3 *119 - Danny Bell (Flowery Branch) dec. Danny Gatt (Eastside), 6-1 *125 - Joel Stafford (Eastside) dec. Brandon Wallin (LaF), 11-7 ... Eastside gains 4 points ...lead is 28.5 points at 204.5 to 176. *171 - Terrence Gaddy (Clarkston) pinned Will Gilbert (LaFayette), 1:55. *285 - Chase Duke (Heritage) dec. Dane Magnussen (West Forsyth), 2-1... head coach Kenny Hill leaped into the arms of Duke as the winner came off the mat in triumph ... Duke is the school's first individual state champ in any sport ... Heritage is in its first year of existance ... Hill won three individual state titles at LFO and one at East Ridge. *215 - Derrick Laney (LFO) pinned Scott Edelson (Woodward Acad.), :52 ... Laney is a two-time state champ ... 46-0 for the season with 44 pins ...pinned 3 of 4 this weekend ... the junior is 147-6 for a career and is second to Adam Woody (163-27) in career wins at LFO. *189 - Ryan Howe (Jackson Co.) dec. Tommy Williams (Eastside), 5-4 ... Howe escapes with seven seconds remaining for the win. *145 - Zach Hopkins (Heritage) pinned Terry Orange (West Laurens), 3:17 ... lots of talk on message boards before the match that Orange would win ...1st: Hopkins gets opening takedown in first 30 seconds ... leads 4-2 after one ...2nd: Hopkins starts down ... Hopkins escapes 5-2 ... the Heritage senior takes Orange to his back and registers the fall at 3:17 ... so much for the messages. Hopkins wins his second title (2008 at Ringgold and 2009 at Heritage) and is 55-1 season mark ... only loss this season was to Baylor's Chanse Hayes .. they split two matches and both won state titles ... Something Old and Something Blue: Hopkins wore an old, faded blue Ringgold singlet from the 1970s in the finals ... is 3-0 in the singlet ... winning the 2008 area and state titles and 2009 state crown ... Hopkins commented that his mom tried to hide the singlet before this year's final, but the senior found it in time. *130 - Seth Taylor (LaFayette) dec. Riley Keen (Dunwoody), 9-1 ... Taylor leads 2-0 in the first and increased it to 6-0 in the second by taking Keen to his back in a four point move ... has escape and takedown in the third. *135 - Matthew Stanfield (LaFayette) pinned Sage Allen (Eastside), 2:29 ... Stanfield (Sr.) was state in 2006 as freshman at Sonoraville ... Allen (Fr.) is a youth national runner-up ...1st: Stanfield gets first td, 2-0 ... Allen escapes ... Stanfield has slick single leg followed by trip for second td, 4-1 ... second blood time for Stanfield ... escape for Allen 4-2 .... another td and escape trade ... 6-3 ... flurry and Allen gets the td ... Stanfield leads 6-5 at end of one ... Eastside crowd senses upset ...2nd: Stanfield down ... reverse and puts Allen on his back ... gets 2-Pt near fall and then sticks him at 2:29. 6 team points ... Eastside 204.5, LaFayette 189. *High Drama - 215 final in AAAAA ... by far the best match with drama and nearly 9,000 fans on their feet cheering and yelling ... 1-1 with :44 seconds remaining in the third period ... T.J. Collins (Collins Hill) vs. Allen Scruggs (Valdosta) ... Scruggs fought valiantly to escape in the final seconds, but Collins matched him move for move until the final two seconds as Scruggs got his escape to the pleasure of the majority in the house ... During a timeout at the 44 seconds mark, Collins Hill coaches argued with the officials about a stalling call against Collins (which had tied the match at 1-1), and Collins signaled for focal support from his fans, while Scruggs urged the remainder of the house to cheer for him ... then the thrilling finish ... *Heritage Think Tank: Head coach Kenny Hill and assistant coach Mike Craft took a first year program to a third place finish in the AAA state traditional with two champions. Craft was an assistant at Ringgold for nine years and part of a coaching staff that won seven state titles. *A: Gordon Lee's Austin Goodlet had a match-tying (3-3) takedown late in the third to force overtime and won it with a takedown in the first overtime, 5-3 ... The Trojans (119 pts., 11 medalists) finished third behind Breman and Wesleyan. *AA: Chattooga freshman Brandon Stiffles (58-7) decisioned senior and defending champion Matt Hines (Lovett), 11-8 ... Stiffles trailed 7-2 in the first period before the comeback. *AAAA: Dalton's fourth place finish (75.50 pts., four medalists) was the best showing for north Georgia. *Most Champs: Collins Hills (AAAAA) and Breman (AA) lead all teams with five champions each ... Collins Hill had the most medalists (12), while Jefferson (AA) had 11. *Media Seats: The media had seats close to matside ... in the hockey penalty boxes ... minor league hockey is played in the arena. *Keeping Fans Informed: Longtime public address announcer from Chattanooga, Russell Cliche, shared announcing duties with John Krafka who handled some p.a. duties at the 1996 Olympics ... Cliche has been behind the mike the past four Georgia state tournaments, doing an excellent job of keeping up with the action on five mats. *Chattanooga Connection I: Former Lookout Mountain resident Billy Saville, served as the tournament head official and worked one match this weekend to keep his 36-year streak in tact of working the finals. *Chattanooga Connection II: Lovett head coach Jim Glasser led the Lions to a second place finish and seven medalists to champion Jefferson ... Glasser was a two-time national prep champion at McCallie and later wrestled at UTC for Jim Morgan ... *Chattanooga Connection III: Paul White, former City High and UTC wrestler, now coaching at Chestatee H.S., and national wrestling hall of famer was in the house. *Murray County Champ: Murray County's Jacob McConathy (Sr.) won the 285 weight class title in AAAA ... coach Chris Thornbury (a 1985 champ himself from Murray County) had his head in his hands late in the third period praying for a title ... with the match tied at four, McConathy took Winkles to his back and pinned him at 5:58 for the crown ... McConathy is the school's 11th state champ at the first at 285 ... *Up Close: Good touch to have three seats at matside for family members of wrestlers in each weight class during their match. *Grand Entrance: In pre-match ceremonies with house lights off, spotlights, music and 9,000 cheering fans, greet wrestlers by weight and classification as they parade down the steps and onto the arena floor. *Five Star Rating: With the leadership and vision of national wrestling hall of fame member Bud Hennebaul, this was the fourth year that all five classification state tournaments have been held in one location ... *The Atlanta Takedown Club is the offiicial host coordinating the Georgia All-Class High School State Wrestling Tournament. *State Duals: GHSA needs a feasibility study for a way to host the state duals at the Gwinnett Center Arena. *Green Jackets: It wasn't Sunday afternoon at The Masters, but green jackets were in abundance after the finals ... Several members of the Georgia chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame were at the tournament, sporting their easily identifiable green HOF jackets. contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net also posted on chattanoogan.com

correct .. he was undefeated in 2 years at B.A. will have to go to microfilm in newspaper articles to find record. 177 must include freestyle greco etc.

Scott was a 2x D-II 285 pound state champ. don't think he medaled in Pa. before moving to Tenn. will be fun to pick an all-time team for next year's 50th year of the state . he and Bubba Miller have to be on the short list for best heavy ever one way to pick a team is you have to be a state champ and have to make the team at the weight(s) where you won it. pick a 1st, 2nd and 3rd team ... interesting that Wells and Miller both went to the NFL. b.b.b.

Danny Gilbert Hired at East Hamilton Will Serve as Head Wrestling Coach To start a wrestling program from scratch and build for the future, what better catylist is there to help create that success than hire a hall of fame type person who has won at all levels. East Hamilton High School has done that and done it in spades. National Wrestling Hall of Fame coach and official Danny Gilbert has been hired as the head wrestling coach at East Hamilton High School when the newest Hamilton County middle and high school opens it doors in late summer, according to principal Pam Dantzler. Ryan Cooper has also been hired as the East Hamilton Middle School wrestling coach and physical education teacher and will be Gilbert's varsity assistant. Cooper has been the Ooltewah assistant coach for the past four years and is an elementary physical education teacher at Bess T. Shepherd. He was an assistant coach at Hunter Middle School for four years prior to coaching at Ooltewah. ''These two gentlemen compliment each other and share the same coaching philosophy - to prepare the athletes not only for the match, but for the skills needed as adults,'' said Dantzler. "We are excited about the level of competition that will be in our district and I know both of these coaches will prepare our student-athletes to meet the challenges ahead.'' In wrestling, the Hurricanes will compete in the A/AA (small school) classification for duals and in Region 4 for the traditional tournaments. Gilbert brings to East Hamilton the needed blend of enthusiasm, love for the sport, knowledge of the sport and a genuine interest in the kids to be successful. "I am excited to be the first coach at East Hamilton and welcome the challenges and opportunities that a new school presents,'' said Gilbert who has been the head wrestling coach at Sale Creek the past two seasons. This is Gilbert's fourth head coaching job as he was at East Ridge and Ooltewah prior to Sale Creek. The charismatic Gilbert understands what it takes to succeed as he was a 1975 state champion at East Ridge (team and individual) and coached East Ridge to the 1991 small school state duals title. The Chattanooga native also has rings in three other sports as he was assistant coach for state champion East Ridge softball (1996, 1998), assistant coach for state champion Northwest Whitfield baseball (1982) and a member of a national champion team handball squad in 1986. ''When I first saw Danny at a TSSAA meeting early last fall, he was accepting an award for the state wrestling referees - little did I know that he would join us at East Hamilton,'' Dantzler stated. ''His reputation throughout the state is one to be proud of and his care and concern for his wrestlers fits in well with what we see as important in working with youngsters,'' she said. ''His level of knowledge and skill will benefit everyone in the program. We are confident that Danny will be the key in establishing the wrestling program at East Hamilton and I look forward to working with him.'' Gillbert was quick to point out that, ''being able to start a new program is great, but it was a difficult decision to leave Sale Creek. I enjoy teaching and coaching at Sale Creek (he is also an assistant softball coach), but I was looking for a teaching and coaching positition closer to home.'' Gilbert noted that he and coach Cooper have a similar vision on how to build a new program. ''Ryan and I have a great deal of work to do from setting a schedule to ordering equipment to forming a booster club and starting a wrestling program from elementary to the high school varsity,'' he said. ''We will work well together and are on the same page in so many areas of coaching.'' Dantzler believes that Cooper has the skills to lead the middle school program. ''I met Ryan when I was principal of Ooltewah Middle School,'' she said. ''He came on board as an assistant coach with Wendell Weathers, working with both the middle and high school programs. What I respected about Ryan was his rapport with students and his style of coaching. ''He believes in the teaching of the skills and the building of the team which makes each athlete stronger and more confident in their ability. Ryan works well with all age levels.'' DANNY GILBERT ... East Ridge (1976) ... 1975 state wrestling champion (105 pound class) ... career record: 71-11-1 ... UT-Chattanooga (1980; degree in science ) ... wrestled his freshman year for the Mocs (7-2) ... head wrestling coach at East Ridge, Ooltewah and Sale Creek ... coached the Pioneers to the 1991 small school state duals championship ... wrestling official for 15 years ... member of the Tenn. chapter of the national wrestling hall of fame ... president of Chattanooga area wrestling officials ... One of only two in Tennessee wrestling to achieve the trifetca (all at East Ridge) - individual state champion (1975), member of a team champion (1975) and coached a team to a title (1991 small school duals). RYAN COOPER ... assistant coach at Ooltewah, 2006-present (five state champions and six other state medalists) ... helped direct the Owls to a state duals runner-up finish in 2008 ... assistant coach at Hunter Middle School to Todd Richardson where team won three straight HVAC tourney titles ... wrestled in high school in Ohio at St. Edward and Bay Village ... graduate of Bay Village (1991) ... At Ohio University, was a starter (defensive) in Lacrosse on three-time Mid American Conference champion ... graduated in 1997 with degree in outdoor education and recreation studies ... Masters in secondary education from UT-Chattanooga in 2002 ... elementary school physical education teacher at Bess T. Shepherd, 2002-present. What Coaches Say: East Ridge Head Coach Brad Jackson: ''Danny and Ryan will form an excellent coaching staff and with the kids that will be coming to their program, East Hamilton will be the team to beat in the next few years. Danny is a great coach, but his ability to teach math in the classroom will be his best contribution to East Hamilton.'' Soddy Daisy Head Coach Steve Henry: ''Danny can build solid foundations for future success. A perfect example is Ooltewah, a team that had been in existence for several years and never produced what it was capable of doing. Danny was the catalyst for the success they enjoy now. ''He hand picked Wendell to come to Ooltewah and take it to the next level, so that tells you the insight he holds. There is no other individual that maintains a PURE passion for the sport. By pure, I mean he teaches to always put everything into this sport, but also give back to it. He is perfect for this job and will do East Hamilton proud.'' contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Hood beat Hayes in 2008 and in OT in 2009 .. J. Taylor from Red Bank pinned Duncan at McCallie invite. Chanse Hayes only loss was to Zach Hopkins of Heritage .. they split matches and both won state ... b.b.b.

you are welcome. enjoyed covering the tourney. b.b.b. thanks for the nice complement. b.b.b.