State News

Xavier, Marion make Register football poll

The Xavier Saints and Marion Indians had modest records during the 2011 football season, but the Des Moines Register thinks they'll be two of the strongest teams in their respective classes this year.

The Saints, who finished 5-5 last season, were ranked No. 7 in Class 4A in the Register's preseason poll announced Sunday.

The Indians, who finished 4-5 last year, were ranked No. 8 in Class 3A.

West Des Moines Valley was ranked No. 1 in Class 4A. Cedar Falls was ranked No. 2, Iowa City West No. 6 and Iowa City High No. 8.

Decorah was ranked No. 1 in Class 3A. Solon was ranked No. 9.

Marion hosts Decorah on Aug. 31. The Indians are in the same district with Solon.

CLASS 4A

1. West Des Moines Valley, 2. Cedar Falls, 3. Ankeny, 4. Bettendorf, 5. Dowling Catholic, 6. Iowa City West, 7. Xavier, 8. Iowa City High, 9. Southeast Polk, 10. Johnston.

CLASS 3A

1. Decorah, 2. Creston/Orient-Macksburg, 3. Pella, 4. Harlan, 5. Carroll, 6. Waverly-Shell Rock, 7. Keokuk, 8. Marion, 9. Solon, 10. Sergeant Bluff-Luton.

Hayden leads Metro parade on IHSBCA all-state teams

Alex Hayden capped a brilliant season for the Kennedy High School baseball team Thursday by being named to the 2012 All-State "Super Team" by the Iowa High chool Baseball Coaches Association.

Eleven Metro players were selected for the all-state teams by the IHSBCA, a testament to the talent in the Metro area this year.

Hayden was named as a utility player on the "Super Team," an elite unit that honors the top 15 players in the state, regardless of classification. He compiled an 11-2 record on the mound with a 0.99 ERA, hit .386 with 28 RBIs and excelled at second base.

Cody Bell of Kennedy, Josh Jahlas of Kennedy, Jason Velvick of Prairie, Brennan Hammer of Prairie and Jake Stolley of Linn-Mar were named first team all-state in Class 4A.

Read more...

10 Metro players make all-state baseball

Alex Hayden of Kennedy, Cody Bell of Kennedy and Jason Velvick of Prairie have been named first team all-state in Class 4A by the Iowa Newspaper Association, the INA announced Tuesday.

Ten Metro players made the all-state teams.

Hayden made the club as a pitcher, Bell was named at first base and Velvick was selected as an outfielder.

Kennedy outfielder Josh Jahlas, Jefferson outfielder Chance Tiedtke and Prairie pitcher/outfielder/first baseman Brennan Hammer were named second team all-state in Class 4A. Hammer made the club as a utility player.

Marion first baseman Trev Biery was named second team all-state in Class 3A.

Linn-Mar pitcher Jake Stolley, Kennedy pitcher Nick Appleget and Prairie first baseman Tyler Votroubek were named third team all-state in Class 4A.

7 Metro players make all-state softball

Hannah Petersen, Rachel Sedlacek and Carson Burgart from Cedar Rapids Jefferson have been named to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association all-state softball teams, the IGCA announced Monday.

Petersen and Sedlacek were named first team all-state and Burgart was selected for the third team in Class 5A. Petersen was honored as a pitcher, Sedlacek made the squad as an outfielder and Burgart was picked as an infielder.

All three J-Hawks were seniors this season.

Read more...