Track meet canceled

The annual Best of Preps track meet, which was scheduled to be held at GPS today, has been canceled.

Team scores aren't kept, but the meet always has been a way for Chattanooga-area athletes to compete for school or meet records.

"We still don't have power at the school, and in light of the storms in the area, we wanted to be sensitive for those who were affected," GPS coach and meet director Stacey Hill said Thursday. "It's always an exciting meet just because of the way it's set up and how it allows the kids to just run and compete without worrying about team points. But there was just no way with team meets and sectional qualifiers being held next week that we could reschedule."

Eagles hire McCurry

Mac McCurry has been hired as defensive coordinator for Signal Mountain's reigning Class 2A state-championship football team. Principal Tom McCullough said McCurry will be teaching physical education and wellness.

McCurry replaces Greg Ellis, who will be going back to Gordon Lee, according to McCullough.

"Greg did a great job, but he had an opportunity to go back home," head coach Bill Price said. "To replace him I wanted another guy that could take the defense by himself, and Mac can do that. He has been very successful and we're very glad to get him."

McCurry will come to the Eagles from Pearl River, Miss., where he has been an assistant coach. He has been a head coach at Ripley, Miss., and at Marshall County and Moore County in Tennessee. He directed Moore County to the 1999 Class 1A state final, where it lost to South Pittsburg.

Duo to West Georgia

Chattanooga Christian outside hitter Taylor Snipes and Ringgold middle blocker Kendall Williams have signed volleyball scholarships with the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

Snipes was the region most valuable player the last two years and was chosen to the Times Free Press Best of Preps all-city second team last fall. She helped CCS win district and region championships and advance to a state sectional.

"Everything is so optimistic there," Snipes said of UWG. "It's like one big team, not just a volleyball team. I've always wanted to play volleyball in college, and I felt immediately it was the place where I needed to be."

Williams helped No. 6-ranked Ringgold (29-9) reach the GHSA Class AAA quarterfinals after winning the Area 7 championship. She registered 253 kills, 78 blocks and 35 aces and was selected first-team all-area by the Times Free Press.

"She worked hard every day and would do anything you would ask her to do," Ringgold coach John Gaston said. "She was especially good with the young girls, helping them improve their game. She was a great example in the classroom and a great example in everyday life."

Scholarship for Carden

Baylor School and Baylor Swim Club swimmer Catie Carden signed scholarship papers Thursday evening to continue her career at Florida Southern College.

Carden said she also strongly considered the University of Tampa before deciding on the Lakeland school.

"The small-school setting really fits me well, and I really like the coach," she said.

The coach is Duncan Sherrard, a Florida graduate.

Carden specializes in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly.

"She'll be good at both of them," Baylor coach Dan Flack said. "She's very talented at those events. And Catie's as good a kid and teammate as anybody who's ever been in our program. She was co-captain of our team as voted on by her peers, and no one is more hard-working.

"She's just a delight to be around," Flack added.

Lady Raiders reuniting

Baylor's softball program is inviting all of its former softball players to a reunion at its field May 7 when the Lady Red Raiders play Brentwood Academy in a Division II-AA East/Middle game. Game time is 11 a.m.

Coach Kelli Smith, a former Baylor player, said the gathering will include a special recognition of those who played on at least one of the Lady Raiders' five state-championship teams. Food will be provided after the game.

"It's just a chance to see the 2011 Baylor softball team," Smith said. "Dare to say, some probably haven't been to a game in 15 years. It's just a chance to catch a game, have food and fellowship after the game, and kind of see where we've come."

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