Signal’s Baker close to medal
Elizabeth Baker of Signal Mountain finished fourth while representing the United States in the inaugural Paralympics women’s triathlon Sunday morning in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Baker, who is visually impaired and competed with a guide athlete, just missed a medal in the PT5 race as she clocked a time of 1 hour, 14 minutes, 34 seconds in the 750-meter swim, 20-kilometer bike ride and 5k run at Copacabana Beach. According to a USA Triathlon release, Baker made up ground on the bike and the run and was within striking distance of the bronze medal when her legs couldn’t take her any further. “I’m super proud, because no one had any idea who we were to begin with,” said Baker, who was guided by Jillian Petersen. “We were sort of the no-name team, so no one expected us to be anywhere. But to get so close and to not be able to close it was just very, very frustrating. A year ago I wasn’t even involved. I’m very proud and I’m very thankful for the opportunity. It makes me want to come back. I have one year of training under my belt, so maybe a few more years and I’ll have learned a little.” Australia’s Katie Kelly was the PT5 gold medalist in 1:12:18, followed by Great Britain’s Alison Patrick (1:13:20) and Melissa
Reid (1:14:07). The United States swept the PT2 medal competition with a 1-2-3 finish from Allysa Seely (1:22:55), Hailey Daniesewicz (1:23:43) and Melissa Stockwell (1:25:24), and American Grace Norman (1:10:39) won gold in the PT4 event. Stockwell lost her leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004, becoming the first female American soldier to lose a limb in active combat. “When it got really tough out there I thought of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and didn’t make it back,” Stockwell told The Associated Press. “They pushed me to the finish — just wanting to give my thanks to them.”
SOCCER
Ellie Myrick scored and set up another goal as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga beat Radford 3-1 Sunday at Finley Stadium. After taking a 1-0 lead on Radford’s own goal in the 13th minute, Myrick assisted Jordan Mueller’s goal in the opening minute of the second half. Myrick’s score came 10 minutes later when she was set up by Hannah Torbett. Radford (1-3) scored in the 64th minute, but keeper Katie Emig made three saves for the Mocs (2-4-1), who finished with a 14-10 advantage on shots overall and 10-4 on goal.
Summer Lanter had a pair of goals and Kinsey Cichowitz added a score and an assist as the Lee University women poured in three goals in the second half of a 4-0 win at Lincoln Memorial in an NCAA Division II match Sunday. Erin Olson was in goal for more than 78 minutes of the shutout, recording four saves, while
Taylor Green played the remainder for the Lady Flames (2-1-1), who outshot their hosts 17-9 overall and 7-4 on goal. Mckenzie Bricker scored the other goal. The Dalton State College men played host SCAD-Savannah to a 1-1 overtime tie in NAIA competition Sunday. The Roadrunners’ Daniel Valenciano set up Jorge
Hurtado for the tying goal in the second half. Dalton State is 3-0-1.
Sewanee’s women lost 2-1 in overtime at Trinity in San Antonio in Division III play Sunday. Savannah Williams had a tying goal for the Tigers (2-4) in the second half on an assist from Dayla LaRocque. Sewanee was outshot 20-5.
FIELD HOCKEY
Ceara Gaffey scored three goals and Virginia Barry had two as Sewanee beat visiting Lindenwood-Belleville 10-0 Sunday. Kat Mulligan and Emily Sloan each had two assists and a goal, Carrie Anderson set up two goals, and Monica Bueso, Catherine Estes and Luna Goodale also scored for the Tigers (3-1), who led 7-0 at halftime. Jojo Young added an assist for Sewanee, which had 53-0 advantage on shots.