The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestlers lost 28-3 Saturday night at fifth-ranked Virginia Tech but got an impressive opening win at 125 pounds from Fabian Gutierrez. He earned an 8-5 decision over 14th-ranked Joey Prata. The other four ranked Hokies all won, but only heavyweight John Borst (No. 16) got a bonus point. Outside of that group, UTC (3-6) lost 2-1 with Franco Valdes at 133, 5-3 with Tanner Smith at 149, 3-2 with Hunter Fortner at 174 and 3-1 with Rodney Jones at 197. The Mocs will host the annual Southern Scuffle Jan. 1-2.
Running
* The king still reigns in the Wauhatchie Trail Race. For the second year in a row and the 12th time overall, Tim Ensign finished first Saturday morning in the hilly 6.7-mile event from the Chattanooga Nature Center. The race features head starts of various times depending on gender and age group, except for males 25-29, and Ensign, 57, has won the last two with a 7:30 jump on those three decades younger. He ran the course Saturday in 44 minutes, 31.08 seconds, but it officially was 37:01.08 from when the last group started. Frank Mathews, 49, was second in 39:47.04, just ahead of Kevin Huwe, 32 (39:47.89). Claire McVay, 50, was the first female finisher and fourth overall in 40:13.74, followed by Tripp McCallie (40:33.85), Micaiah Allison (41:35.16) and females Maria Studholme (41:44.72) and Jennifer Huwe (41:55.07). The Huwes won the family team prize with their combined 81:43 by three minutes over Tim and Barbara Ensign, who edged them for last year's win.
Basketball
* Lee University concluded its 2019 basketball schedules with Gulf South Conference home wins Saturday over Christian Brothers, 69-56 in the women's game and 63-59 in the men's. Abby Bertram had 18 points and six rebounds and Haley Schubert contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Lady Flames (12-1, 4-1), who got nine rebounds and five steals with nine points from Nicky Widenski. Ryan Montgomery scored 17 points and Josh Lowe had 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots for the Flames (9-3, 4-1). Montgomery got an offensive rebound and broke a 59-59 tie with 21 seconds left, and then Parker Suedekum made his third steal of the game and hit two free throws.
Golf
* Lee golf coach John Maupin already had put together an impressive men's recruiting class - needed with three key seniors leaving after the coming spring season - and graduate transfer Carson Little strengthens it further. Following two seasons at Regis University and one at Grand Canyon, he ultimately chose Lee over Cal State-Chico for his master's work and final collegiate golf season, after also considering Abilene Christian, George Washington, St. Edward's and St. Mary's. Winner of the Gilbert Amateur in Arizona and third-place finisher in the Royal Oaks Invitational in Washington state this year, Little was first-team All-Rocky Mountain Conference in 2018, when his season stroke average was 72.9. "This is a big-time add for our team next season," Maupin said in a release. " I know he is very motivated to make the most of his final season and help lead our team next year. He brings a lot of experience and game to the table. Carson had a lot of options for schools to finish his career at, and I think it says a lot about him as a person and competitor that he wasn't afraid to get out of his comfort zone and move across the country to join us here at Lee. He will be a big contributor on and off the course for us."
Compiled by Ron Bush. Contact him at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.