Defending state champ Bradley Central heads a 14-team field lined up for the Ooltewah Invitational wrestling tournament Saturday.
The Bears will be heavy favorites in a field that includes 11 area teams plus out-of-towners Brentwood High, Hardin Valley and Lawrence County. Other area squads competing are Brainerd, Central, Chattanooga Christian, Red Bank, Rhea County, Ringgold, Tyner, Sale Creek, Signal Mountain and the host Owls.
The tournament will be scratch weight and should begin about 8 a.m. According to tournament director Wendell Weathers, there will be five officials for three mats. He anticipates championship and consolation finals beginning at 3 p.m. Price of admission is $8.
The junior varsity tournament will take place tonight.
Signal applications close today
Today is the final day for applications to be submitted to Signal Mountain for the Eagles’ head football coaching position, according to assistant principal and athletic director Bumper Reese.
Close to five dozen résumés have been received already for the position from which Ty Wise resigned a couple of days after the Eagles’ season ended.
Reese said the plan remains to have a coach in place when the students return to school after New Year’s.
Eight from area in East/West
Eight Chattanooga-area players have been selected for the Toyota East-West All-Star football game to be played at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 in Cookeville.
Those players are defensive backs Cason Still of Bradley Central, D.J. Baxter of Central and Calvin Sims of Notre Dame, linebacker Alex Kirkendoll of Marion County, tight end Jared Edwards of Rhea County, defensive end Patrick Johnson of Notre Dame, wide receiver Skyler Davis of Cleveland and quarterback Robert Riddle of McCallie.
Signal Mountain defensive end TaDarrell Hodge was an honorary selection.
The game will be streamed on ESPN3 plus local TV stations across the state.
Hanna LandLand to Cleveland State
Red Bank’s Hanna Land signed softball scholarship papers Thursday with Cleveland State Community College.
Coach Mandi Munn said Land’s versatility was a key factor last spring for Red Bank, which won 16 games and advanced to a Class AA state sectional. The coach was able to plug her into various spots, depending on the lineup she wanted to use against a particular team.
“She’s been a valuable utility player for us,” Munn said. “She’s played shortstop, she’s pitched some and she’s played left field. She’s done a great job at all of them. She’s a very hard worker and all-around team player. I’m very excited for her. I know she’ll do well.”