College Notes: Former King wrestler wins gold

PARIS — Former King University women’s wrestler Sarah Hildebrandt won the gold medal in the 50-kilogram weight class at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday. It’s the first-ever gold medal for a former King University student-athlete.

Hildebrandt, a two-time national champion for the Tornado, defeated Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman, who advanced after India’s Vinesh Phogat was disqualified due to missing weight. Hildebrandt recorded a two-point takedown during the first period before earning a penalty point when Guzman was called for passivity, hanging on for a 3-0 win.

“It’s just hard to put into words how happy and excited I am for Sarah and her family,” head women’s wrestling coach Jason Moorman said. “It’s the pinnacle. She’s reached the pinnacle of her sport and it’s something that everyone dreams of when they get started and she’s done it. I’m just ecstatic for her.”

Hildebrandt’s gold medal is the second-ever medal for King University, following her 2020 bronze medal win in Tokyo. It was the third consecutive Olympics that has featured a former King University women’s wrestler (Haley Aguello in 2016 and Hildebrandt in 2020 and 2024).

The 2011 Penn High School graduate won two women’s college national championships while wrestling for King University. She’s won seven Pan-American championships, two U.S open titles, and the last two U.S. Olympic Trials in the 50 Kg (110-pound) weight class. She’s won silver medals twice and bronze medals twice at the World Championships.

Montreat golf gearing up for 2024 season

MONTREAT, N.C.— The Montreat women’s golf team — which includes former Volunteer golfer Hannah Stewart — unveiled its fall schedule this week. Stewart is a junior for the Cavaliers.

The men’s and women’s teams at Montreat begin their seasons with the Apple Mountain Invitational, a one-day tournament hosted by Truett McConnell on Aug. 29. The men take on Bob Jones in match play on Sept. 3. The women will also battle Bryan in match play on a date to be determined.

Tournament play starts when the women travel to Virginia for the Fincastle Intercollegiate at Bluefield University on Sept. 16-17. Both sets of Cavaliers then participate in the East Tennessee Collegiate, which is hosted by Milligan University at Johnson City Country Club on Sept. 23-24.

The AAC Fall Preview will be Oct. 21-22 at Governors Towne Club in Acworth, Georgia.

Tusculum picked sixth in SAC football poll

ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Tusculum Pioneers have been picked to finish sixth in the South Atlantic Conference, according to the 2024 SAC Football Coaches’ Poll. Four Pioneers were also named to the 2024 preseason all-conference team.

Tusculum received 60 total points in a vote of the league’s 12 head football coaches. The Pioneers are the defending SAC Mountain Division champions, after posting a 6-5 overall record including 6-3 in league play.

Defending SAC and NCAA Division II national semifinalist Lenoir-Rhyne is the preseason favorite as the Bears received 104 points, including six first-place votes. Wingate is second in the poll with 94 points and three first-place nods. Limestone comes in third with 92 points, while Mars Hill is fourth with 87 points and two first-place votes. Newberry is fifth with 73 points, followed by Tusculum (60), Catawba (51), Carson-Newman (49), Barton (47), Emory & Henry (33), UVA Wise (20) and Anderson (12). Anderson University is competing in its first year sponsoring the sport.

Garnering preseason All-SAC Mountain Division recognition are defensive back Jermaine Witherspoon, linebacker Earnest Johnson, running back Jalen Hunt and offensive lineman Garrett Priest.

The Pioneers open the season Sept. 7 when they travel to West Alabama for a 7 p.m. (ET) kickoff. Tusculum opens conference play on Sept. 21 when it hosts Newberry at Pioneer Field.

Tusculum cheerleading excels at UCA camp

JOHNSON CITY — The Tusculum University cheerleading squad placed first in three categories, alongside three blue ribbons, at a recent Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) camp held at East Tennessee State University. These laurels are a program record under head coach Trea King.

Tusculum was placed in a division alongside teams from Milligan, Pikeville and Itawamba Community College (a feeder school to Alabama). The Pioneers were evaluated on crowd effectiveness, stunt, execution and motions.

Tusculum won first place across its division in fight song, sideline and overall game day (fight song, situational sideline and timeout). The latter is also a precursor to nationals. The Pioneers also finished second in the timeout category.

Tusculum claimed blue ribbons in fight song, sideline and timeout. The blue ribbon indicates, after an evaluation by a judge, that the routine is considered superior.