Moultrie’s J. Todd Tucker has accepted a spot in the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series, the highest level of BASS competition.

Tucker was one spot from an Elite Series invitation after finishing 11th in the Bassmaster Central Open standings.

But when Michael Burns, the points winner, decided not to join the Elite Series, an invitation was extended to Tucker.

In the 2008 season, Tucker fished both Central and Southern Open divisions.

Tucker, 35, has been fishing in BASS events as a pro since 2002.

He said that when the Elite invitation came, he had already entered the Central, Southern and Northern Open divisions.

Tucker said he still plans to compete in all nine Open tournaments in addition to the 11-event Elite Series season.

Of this and that:

n Burt Spence competed in the recent Chicago Marathon, turning a time of 4 hours, 16 minutes.

Spence, who was the sports program director at the Moultrie YMCA until July, when he moved to Hudson, Mass., was competing in his fourth marathon.

He also has run in Jacksonville, Fla., Nashville, Tenn., and New York City.

n Former Colquitt County and Moultrie Sharks swimmer Ashlee Paramore competed in her first collegiate meet when the Darton College swimming and diving team took part in the 8th Annual Sewanee Invitational at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn.

Moultrie’s Austin Dorminey is on the Darton men’s team, but was unable to compete at the meet because of a family illness.

The Darton men’s team was second in the meet. The women’s team was third.

n North Florida Christian, under former Colquitt County head coach Tim Cokely, will take a 6-2 record into its Friday home game against Pensacola Catholic.

n Three former Moss Farms and Colquitt County High divers will be on the boards when the University of Georgia swimming and diving team plays host to Auburn today.

Sophomore Hannah Moore and freshman Owen Blank will dive for Georgia.

Freshman Anna Aguero will dive for Auburn.

n The Middle Georgia College women’s basketball team, which has former Packer Taquella Coates playing in the post, is 4-0 after Wednesday’s 96-30 victory over the Brewton-Parker JV.

n Colquitt County Hall of Fame member Vanessa Taylor will begin her eighth season as the coach of Johnson C. Smith women’s basketball team on Saturday when the Lady Golden Bulls compete in the Queen City Classic in Wingate N.C.