Sports briefs

Johnson places second

Greater Augusta Swimming's Joel Johnson led all area swimmers with his second-place finish in the men's 100-yard backstroke at the Southern Zone Championships last weekend at Augusta Aquatics Center. Johnson's time of :51.32 qualifies him in the top 16 nationally among swimmers in the 17-18 age group.

Ryan Gober scored points in five different events to help Johnson lead the GAS men's team to a ninth-place finish. Overall, GAS placed 14th in the 64-team field.

Other Columbia County participants included Peter Caruana, Thomas Houston, Tim Murray, Tom Northcutt, George Patton, Dickie Splichal and Pam Splichal.

Softball tournaments

National Softball Association Men's Unlimited home run, three home run and zero home run Women D & E qualifying tournament will be held March 22-24 in Chattanooga, Tenn. For more information call Tom at 423-855-5775.

An NSA Girls fast-pitch tournament for age divisions 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 18U will be held April 12-14 in Chattanooga. For more information call Sondra Brock (706-935-3682) or Brian Hendon (706-965-8838).