Lipscomb University junior Samantha Griffith from Ooltewah was the medalist in the Atlantic Sun golf tournament after an 18-inch birdie putt on the first playoff hole Monday at the Legends Course at Chateau Elan in Braselton, Ga. She is the Nashville school’s first ASUN women’s golf individual champion. “I am on cloud nine. It has not sunk in yet, but I’m so happy,” Griffith said in a school release soon after completing her 54-hole 219. “It took a lot of mental strength that I did not I had to stay calm. I just took one shot at a time.” The win gives her a spot in the NCAA tournament. Lipscomb also had the men’s medalist, Dawson Armstrong at 210, and Mikey Feher from Baylor tied for 14th at 220 as the team finished second to Kennesaw State.
» The Dalton State men’s golf team took a 12-shot lead Monday in the first round of the 10-team Southern States Athletic Conference tournament at Arrowhead Country Club in Montgomery, Ala. The Roadrunners, ranked third in the NAIA, shot a 6-under-par 278 with S.M. Lee, P.J. Shields and Ben Rebne tied for first individually at 3-under 68. Chase Cole contributed a 74.
Auto Racing
» Hugh Harris from Ringgold won the 5.70 class and $3,000 Saturday night at the Brainerd Optimist Drag Strip on a perfect 5.70-second run after a reaction time of .001. Wyatt Miles was second. Harris, who owns Madaris Siding & Windows, won in his dragster powered by a modified 440 Chrysler engine prepared by Steven Farrow. There were 110 cars in eight classes on the once-a-month night of one-light pro starts, and Bo Simpson won the 4.70 class with Jeff McNalley second. Rick Wetherbee was first and Brad Shulins second in LDR, Rick Millard was first and Daniel Ray second in 6.00 and Spencer Smith was first and Shane Moses second in 7.00. Matt Neely won the Limited class with Paul Fritts second, Adam Turner won the Easy Streets with Phillip McAllister second and Josh Hines won the Bang Street class.
» The No. 24 Hooters showcar will be at Chattanooga’s Hooters restaurant at 5912 Brainerd Road from noon to 6 p.m. today. Hooters is the primary sponsor for Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott’s No. 24 in NASCAR’s Monster Energy Cup Series, which runs Sunday at Bristol. Fans can view the car, and No. 24 Hooters merchandise will be available.