Area sports notes: TJ Ruschell joins brother's UTC wrestling staff

Assorted Sports Equipment on Black
Assorted Sports Equipment on Black
photo TJ Ruschell

Former University of Wisconsin wrestler and Lindsey Wilson and Clarion University assistant coach TJ Ruschell has joined the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling staff headed by his brother. "It's obviously pretty special for me to be hiring my younger brother to be a part of my staff," Kyle Ruschell said in a UTC release Friday. "However, the main reason I'm looking forward to him joining UTC wrestling is the perspective he brings to our sport. We're very different in our approach as coaches, and together I believe our guys will get a well-rounded experience that will help elevate us to the level we're working towards." The younger Ruschell is in his Kentucky high school's hall of fame for the best record in school history, 219-21, and was 54-52 and a 2017 Academic All-American at Wisconsin, where he earned a master's degree in 2018. He helped Lindsey Wilson finish fifth in the 2018 NAIA tournament and worked closely with a national champion there and with a first-time national qualifier at Clarion this year. "I am very excited to join the UTC coaching staff and look forward to helping Kyle continue working towards his vision for the Mocs' future," TJ said. "I enjoyed watching their fight last season and can't wait to start working with these guys. There is a ton of untapped potential in the area that I am eager to discover. Chattanooga is a great city with amazing people, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it."

Softball

» All-America infielder Aubrey Leach is going from her Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball career to an independent professional team, Scrap Yard Fast Pitch, based in Conroe, Texas - 11 miles from her hometown of The Woodlands. "I can't thank Scrap Yard enough for allowing me to continue my softball career, as well as furthering my dream of playing at the professional level," the Lady Vols' career leader in walks and runs scored said in a Tennessee release Friday. The only Lady Vol to start all 60 games in 2019, Leach batted .411 with 72 hits, 65 runs and 23 RBIs. She scored a school-record 80 times in 2018. "Scrap Yard is fortunate to sign a player with Aubrey's many talents," co-head coach Karen Weekly said. "She is one of the most versatile players I have ever coached, both offensively and defensively. Her high softball IQ allows her to process and play the game at a speed faster than most. She is a leader and will be a great role model for Scrap Yard in the Houston community."

Golf

» Savanah Satterfield of Chatsworth lost Friday on the 18th hole to fourth-seeded Louise Yu of Duluth, who then reached today's semifinals in the Georgia Women's Match Play at Thomasville with a 6-and-4 win over fifth seed Megan Sabol of Martinez. Sabol beat Dalton's Carson Roberts 3 and 2 in the round of 16 at Glen Arven Country Club.

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