Andy Morgan and Michael Neal of Dayton, Tennessee, were sixth and seventh after Wednesday's first round of the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour's season-ending Redcrest tournament in Wisconsin. Using technology to weigh and report every fish caught so it can be returned immediately to the water, MLF has dispensed with post-round weigh-ins and limits, so the catch totals are huge compared to other tours. Zack Birge of Oklahoma caught 50 bass Wednesday in the Mississippi River at La Crosse, and they totaled 81 pounds, 15 ounces. Second and third place were 64-10 and 61-3 on 35 fish each, and Morgan caught 26 for 52-9 while Neal had 35 for 51-0. Jacob Wheeler of Harrison was 14th at 42-15 (24 fish); Wesley Strader of Spring City was 20th at 32-11 (19).
Soccer
» The Tennessee Wesleyan men's soccer team is 1-1 in its head start on the 2019 area college season after a 1-0 road victory Tuesday night over Dalton State. Nick Davis scored at 48:10 from a Nicholas Akoto assist and Nick Croucher made four saves for the Bulldogs, who led 14-8 in shots and 7-4 in shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Aaron Fraire had six saves for DSC. TWU lost 2-1 last Thursday at NAIA third-ranked William Carey; Akoto scored in the 87th minute from a Kyle Wynne assist.
» The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga begins its women's soccer season Friday at 6 p.m. next to Engel Stadium on O'Neal Street against Ohio Valley Conference member Austin Peay. Coach Gavin McKinney's Mocs then will play Sunday at Eastern Kentucky, another OVC team. UTC won two 1-0 road exhibition games at OVC schools last weekend, each on a goal by Hollie Massey. She scored on a penalty kick after being fouled in the box Sunday at Tennessee Tech. Admission is free at UTC home matches, but spectators are encouraged to bring camp chairs or blankets for seating.
» Covenant College was picked by USA South soccer coaches to win the men's West Division this fall and to finish third in the women's nine-team West standings. The Piedmont women shaded Maryville 5-4 in first-place votes and 61-60 in points, according to a league release Thursday, and Covenant got 48 points to 41 for fourth-place Huntingdon. In the men's voting, Covenant edged Maryville 33-32 with three firsts each.
Softball
» UTC announced this week its softball fall exhibition schedule against area teams, beginning Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. with a doubleheader against Cleveland State on Warner Park field No. 5 - with renovations being wrapped up at Jim Frost Stadium. The Mocs will host Chattanooga State in single games on Oct. 3 and 18, both at 5 p.m., and Lee University on Oct. 10 at 5:30. UTC's annual intrasquad scrimmage is set for Oct. 12 at 11 a.m., followed by a free cookout for fans, and the team's 2019 Southern Conference championship rings will be presented that day.
Tennis
» UTC also announced the fall-semester portion of its women's tennis schedule, which begins Sept. 13-14 at the Austin Peay Invitational. After the women's and men's UTC alumni matches on Sept. 21, Chad Camper's Mocs will play in tournaments Sept. 27-29 at Central Arkansas, Oct. 11-12 at Cincinnati, Oct. 17-21 in Murfreesboro (the ITA Ohio Valley Regionals) and Nov. 1-3 at Louisville. UTC's five returning letter winners include five 2018 starters, and a sophomore and three freshmen have been added. "We have four new players, and they all add great value to the lineup," Camper said in a school release. "We have a challenging schedule, so there is a lot to do to prepare for our fall tournaments."
Golf
» The Champions Club golf course off Snow Hill Road in Ooltewah will reopen for 18 holes of play Saturday at 8 a.m., and the new ownership group wants to show off the new back-nine greens as well as the club's other recent renovations by inviting the public to play there Sunday. Three golfers can play with a member for just a cart fee. For more information call Mark Edwards at 423-910-0931 or the club at 423-238-6812.