By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

It’s going to be a busy weekend for area sports teams as several tournaments are being held throughout southwest lower Michigan.

Dowagiac will be hosting a pair of tournaments.

The Chieftain Invitational Soccer Tournament is slated to begin at 10 a.m. with Dowagiac taking on Niles.

The Vikings will then face River Valley at 11:30 a.m. and then the Chieftains will take on the Mustangs are 1 p.m.

Dowagiac will also host the Chieftain Invitational Softball Tournament.

Usually one of the better tournaments in the area, this year’s event has been scaled down to just four teams due to scheduling conflicts.

The Chieftains will take on South Bend (Ind.) Washington at 10:30 a.m. at the high school field, while Niles will face Mishawaka (Ind.) Marian at the same time at Rotary Park.

The winners will play for the title at 1 p.m. at the high school. The consolation contest will be played at Rotary Park at the same time.

The Chieftain track team will made its annual trip to Paw Paw for Lions Invitational.

Also competing will be Bloomingdale, Lake Michigan Catholic, Lawrence, Mattawan, South Haven and Vicksburg.

Field events will begin at 9:30 a.m. The running finals are set for 12:05 p.m.

Dowagiac’s tennis team will travel north to Hamilton to compete in its second invitational of the year.

The Chieftains opened the season by winning the Brandywine Early Bird.

Dowagiac will compete against the host Hawkeyes, Hastings and Wolverine Conference foe Plainwell.

Round robin play will begin at 9 a.m.

The Chieftain golf team will also be in action as they will take part in the Berrien Springs Invitational at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course beginning at noon.

Niles will be hosting its annual invitational tournament at both the high school and Thomas Stadium.

The Vikings will face White Pigeon at 10 a.m. at the high school, while Brandywine will be taking on Plymouth, Mich. at Thomas Stadium, also at 10 a.m.

The winners will play at the high school at 12:30 p.m. The consolation game will be played at Thomas Stadium at the same time.

The Viking tennis team will host its annual doubles tournament beginning at the high school at 9 a.m.

Joining the Vikings will be Edwardsburg and South Bend Washington.

The Niles track team will travel to Sturgis to participate in the Exchange Relays. Field events will begin at 10 a.m.

Brandywine tennis will also host a tournament on Saturday at Plym Park.

Competing will be Cassopolis, Galesburg-Augusta and Lake Michigan Catholic. Play will begin at 10 a.m.

Brandywine’s track team will be at the Hartford 9-10 Relays, which begin at 10 a.m., while the softball team will travel to Portage Central for an invitational tournament.

Play begins at 10 a.m. there are well.