Hannah WoodThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Emily Poole was fifth overall and the first collegiate finisher in the 3000-meter run at Birmingham-Southern's Panthers Icebreaker indoor track and field meet Friday, leading the Mocs to a sixth-place finish out of 16 teams. Teammates Rebekah Wich and Sophia Neglia were two and three spots behind Poole. UTC's Brianna Nelson was third overall and the second collegian in the mile run, with Haley Morris fifth, and UTC distance medley relay teams were second and fourth.
Softball
-Two Red Bank High School teammates recently made decisions regarding their softball futures. Hannah Wood officially committed Friday to NCAA Divison III member Berry College in Rome, Ga., and Kelsey Peden plans to sign Dec. 11 with NAIA member Missouri Valley College located in Marshall, Mo. Red Bank coach Mandi Munn said Wood is involved in several clubs at school. "She's an incredible leader, especially in her senior year so far, making sure the freshmen are included in everything," Munn said. "All four years she's been that way. She was even a leader as a freshman, by example. A lot of that was because of her position, being one of our go-to pitchers." Wood is a near 6-footer who also has played first base, shortstop and outfield. She struck out 92 and 93 and batted .452 and .382 the last two seasons with three and five home runs, 28 and 29 RBIs and on-base percentages of .529 and .489. Peden is also a versatile players who hit .364 with a .443 on-base percentage, 19 RBIs and a .950 fielding percentage as a junior. "She has contributed the past three years and she's going to be a huge contributor this year," Munn said. "She's played second base, but last year we moved her to left field. She can also play shortstop. She's a natural talent. She's a tough kid. She's one of those hard-nosed kids. She's got that mean streak to her that you want. She's a great kid, too."
Basketball
-Bekah Walter scored 25 points in leading Covenant College to a 71-64 USA South victory over visiting Berea on Friday. Walter made nine of 11 free throws for the Lady Scots (2-3, 1-0), who overcame 30 turnovers and 3-for-15 3-point shooting with a 24-11 fourth quarter. Joanna Smith had 12 points and eight rebounds in the win, while Taylor Robinson had 11 points, five assists and three steals, Jessica Bell had 10 points and four assists and Raquel Rosa collected nine rebounds. Berea (3-1, 0-1) was 6-of-33 on 3s.
-Chattanooga State won 77-76 in TCCAA men's basketball Friday night at Volunteer State as Maleek Taylor scored 18 points, Jaquez Johnson and A.J. Morris scored 15 and 14 and Roger Davis and Raekwon Long each had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Long preserved the win for the Tigers (6-2, 4-1) with a blocked shot in the closing seconds.
-First-place Motlow State won its TCCAA home game against Cleveland State 84-66 as Isaiah Hart had 30 points and eight assists, Rashawn Fredericks 22 points and 15 rebounds, Dillon Smith 17 points and Kevonte Corley 16 rebounds. Hart made 11 of 12 free throws.
-Hunter Simpson had 34 points, six assists and three blocked shots as Tennessee Wesleyan's women beat visiting Milligan 81-75 in Appalachian Athletic Conference basketball Thursday. Simpson was 10-of-14 from the field and 12-of-17 on free throws for the Lady Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1), who got 16 points and eight rebounds from Madison Walkup and 12 points from Alyson Crowder. Wesleyan also won the men's game, 89-68. Antonie Williams had 19 points and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs (4-8, 2-3), while Kenny Dean scored 13 points, Johnson Decembre and Aundre Reid added 11 apiece and Jalen Oliver provided eight assists with 10 points.