Metro Sports Report

Determined Riders set for season

Wed - 25 Sep Written by Mike Condon

They all marched in and sat at tables surrounding Coach Mark Carlson on Wednesday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Carlson’s theme for the 2013-14 Cedar Rapids RoughRiders is “team” and that was on display for the media during a preseason press conference.

In past years, Carlson was joined by selected players at the opening media press conference. This time around nearly all of his players and assistant coaches were on hand.

“We wanted to have every single one of our players be here who could be here,” Carlson said. “This is a symbol of our group this year. This is going to be a team and we are conscious of everybody every night so we’re starting off in this fashion.”

Share

Football prevues - Sept. 26-27

Wed - 25 Sep Written by Metro Sports Report

The game pits a pair of Mississippi Valley Conference foes, but it does not count in the standings.

It means so much more.

The Battle for 42nd Street arrives at the midpoint of the high school football regular season.

Undefeated Xavier travels to Kingston Stadium to take on once-beaten Kennedy on Friday night.

Share

IHSAA approves twinbills for district playoffs

Wed - 25 Sep Written by Bill Seals

BOONE - More boys basketball teams will travel for early-round district games but for shorter distances, thanks to a new proposal adopted at the Iowa High School Athletic Association board meeting Wednesday morning.

The board considered two separate measures from the basketball committee, including one that would introduce doubleheaders at early-round district sites. While more teams will be required to travel, sites will be at more centralized locations in order to cut down on travel time. The early-round doubleheaders will take effect for the upcoming postseason tournament.

The IHSAA hopes the increased early-round attendance, which will feature four fan bases instead of two, will lead to more exciting atmospheres and higher attendance at early-round venues. District championships and all substate contests will not be affected by the change.

Class 4A schools do not play district games, so the new venture will not affect them. The playoffs for Class 4A schools start at the substate level.

Share

Local players in pro baseball

Wed - 25 Sep Written by Metro Sports Report

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Chicago Cubs) - Started in center field Wednesday and was 0-for-4 in the Cubs' 4-1 win over the Pirates. Season stats: G - 67, Avg. - .279, AB - 183, H - 51, HR - 6, RBI - 19, SB - 1.

Share

Kennedy libero Maddy Meier (dark top) gathers her Cougar teammates after a service ace to start the fifth set of Tuesday's match against Washington at Kennedy. The Cougars won the last three sets to beat the Warriors, 3-2. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Comeback Cougars rally past Warriors

Tue - 24 Sep Written by Tom Fruehling

Kennedy sparkplug and eternal optimist Maddy Meier said the match was never in doubt.

Not even when the Washington girls were up two sets to none and had all-stater Dani Franklin serving with a 25-24 lead for match point.

“I knew we weren't going to lose,” said Meier, the heart and soul of a scrappy Cougar squad that pulled out an improbable 3-2 comeback victory at home Tuesday night.

“We haven't lost to Washington in I don't know how long. We weren't going to be the team that lost to them.

Share