Metro Sports Report

Congratulations to Kernels and their loyal fans

Congratulations to the Cedar Rapids Kernels for nearly winning the Midwest League title. And congratulations to all the fans who supported the Kernels to the very last pitch of the 2015 campaign.

Manager Jake Mauer and his staff did a marvelous job this season, steering a club of light hitters to the final game of the playoffs. The Kernels looked like dead men walking in August, but they came alive in the playoffs and nearly pulled it off before losing a pair of one-run games with the championship within reach.

The Kernels succeeded in the playoffs. And so did their fans.

Cedar Rapids fans did not know until late Sunday afternoon that there would be a fifth and final game at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Monday night. Nonetheless, an impressive crowd of 2,363 showed up and paid attention to every pitch.

Bach siblings lead Marion to titles

CENTER POINT - The Bach family enjoyed a big day at the Center Point-Urbana Invitational cross country meet Tuesday.

Madison Bach, a senior, won the individual girls title and led the Marion Indians to the team championship. Myles Bach, her brother and a sophomore, captured the boys title and paced the Indians to their team championship as well.

Madison Bach covered the 5K course in 19 minutes, 22 seconds. She is ranked No. 7 in Class 3A and the Marion girls are ranked No. 8 as a team. Hallie Kephart finished fourth for Marion and Andrea Ertz was sixth.

The Marion girls edged Cascade, 43-47, for the crown.

Myles Bach finished his 5K run in 16 minutes, 52 seconds. He is ranked No. 8 in Class 3A and the Marion boys are ranked No. 12 as a team. Jeremy Fopma, who is ranked No. 6 for Marion, placed third in the race.

Marion dominated the boys race, topping Center Point-Urbana by 60 points.

Beyer leads 4A in punting average

Cedar Rapids Kennedy versatile star Shaun Beyer is the Class 4A state leader in punting average through four weeks of the high school football season.

Beyer has booted eight punts for a 46.9-yard average, the best among those who have punted at least four times. Beyer, a North Dakota State recruit, also is among the Metro leaders in pass receptions (15 for 269 yards) and scoring (5 touchdowns).

Cougar teammate Tyler Dralle continues to lead the Metro in rushing with 559 yards. He ranks third in rushing and fifth in total offense among 4A players. Marion's Kory Walsh is second in the Metro with 500 yards.

Gorman, Culpepper run 2nd at Noelridge

Reagan Gorman of Washington and Steven Culpepper of Xavier placed second at the Eastern Iowa Classic cross country meet Thursday at Noelridge Park.

Mary Arch of Iowa City High won the girls 5K race in 18 minutes, 35 seconds, beating Gorman by 15 seconds. Hannah Fusselman of Kennedy finished fourth in 19:37 and Jenny Dickes of Xavier was fifth in 19:45.

Matthew Dodge of Iowa City High captured the boys 5K race in 16 minutes, 18 seconds, topping Culpepper by seven seconds.

Iowa City High won both team titles.