CHATTANOOGA Tenn.---The 18th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs and Wichita State are tied for the 36-hole lead of the Aldila Scenic City Invitational at Council Fire Golf Club.  The Mocs and Shockers shot 564 (-12) to hold a two-shot lead over Southern Miss in third at 566 (-10).

The Mocs shot rounds of 284 (-4) and 280 (-8), while Wichita State following an opening 285 (-3) with the day's low round of 279 (-9).  The Eagles led after a first round 283 (-5) and are in good position with an afternoon 283 (-5) to stand at 566.

Charlotte and Middle Tennessee round out the top five.  The 49ers are eight shots off the lead at 572, while the Blue Raiders are one shot back at 573.

The Mocs have three golfers ranked in the top 10 led by Chattanooga area native Derek Rende in fourth at 138 (-6) after rounds of 68 and 70.  Fredrik Qvicker's team-best 67 (-5) in the afternoon placed him tied for fifth at 139 (-5).  Stephan Jaeger is tied for ninth after twin 70s place him at 140 (-4).

Charlotte's Olafur Loftsson carded a 68 in the first round followed by a 67 to shoot 135 (-9).  Southern Miss' Wes Carter and Wichita State's Dustin Garza are tied for second just two shots off the pace at 137.

Qvicker leads the tournament with 13 birdies today followed closely by Garza with 12.  Garza played the par fives at a scintillating nine-under par.

The Mocs scoring was rounded out by Steven Fox and J.T. Clendenin.  Fox is tied for 36th at three-over par 147, while Clendenin is tied for 60th at 151 (+7).

The tournament tees off at 9:30 a.m., with a shotgun start.  Chattanooga, Wichita State and Southern Miss are paired together starting at holes one through three.  The event is open to the public.

The Aldila Scenic City Invitational is the beginning of Blue and Gold Week for the Chattanooga athletics program.  The week is loaded with activity between various sports culminating with the Mocs tackling Western Carolina in football on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Three winter sports open activity this week as well with different exhibition events.  Wrestling has its Blue & Gold Match Friday evening in the Maclellan Gymnasium, while the men's and women's basketball teams will go outdoors for the Blue & Golf Tipoff in the First Tennessee Pavilion prior to the football game Saturday at noon.

BLUE & GOLD WEEK
10/26-27-Aldila Scenic City Invitational
10/28-Volleyball vs. Kennesaw State, 7 p.m.
10/29-Soccer vs. Samford, 6 p.m. (Senior Night)
10/30-Wrestling Blue & Gold Match, 7 p.m.
10/31-Blue & Gold Tipoff/First Tenn. Pavilion, Noon
10/31-Football vs. Western Carolina, 2 p.m.