Metro Sports Report

Kernels set Special Jersey Nights

The Cedar Rapids Kernels will wear special jerseys at selected games during the 2015 Midwest League season at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

These jerseys will be sold during their particular game through a silent auction on the concourse.

The Special Jersey Nights are:

May 2 - ACS Blackout Jersey Night (benefits the American Cancer Society)
May 29 - Star Wars Night (benefits Greg's Mission)
June 12 - ALS 'Jurassic World' Jersey (benefits the ALS Society)
June 18 - Especially For You Pink Jersey (benefits the Especially for You Walk)
June 26 - Autism Action Christmas Jersey
July 4 - Armed Forces Night
July 17 - Iowa State Jersey
Aug. 8 - Hawaiian Jersey (Jimmy Buffett Night)
Aug. 20 - Hawkeye Sports Night

Gonsalves makes strong pitch for Kernels

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Ask Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Stephen Gonsalves about his offseason and the first thing he may mention is his vacation to Australia with fellow Twins pitching prospects Lewis Thorpe and Sam Gibbons.

“It was Sam’s 21st birthday so we made a little vacation out of it,” Gonsalves said Friday while watching his Cedar Rapids Kernels teammates face a group of Tampa Bay Rays Class A prospects.

But hanging out with Aussies Thorpe and Gibbons "down-under" for a couple of weeks was just one small part of his winter.

The 20-year-old lefty starting pitcher played a crucial role in the playoff drive the Kernels put together during the second half of the 2014 season. He notched a 3.19 ERA while striking out 44 batters in just 36.2 innings in eight starts.

Some young pitchers might have felt satisfied with those numbers and focused their offseason workouts on simply adding some muscle or improving their conditioning, but not Gonsalves.

Willie Rhoads wins Metro Spotlight Award

Willie Rhoads of Cedar Rapids Kennedy is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Rhoads, a senior, is one of the top high jumpers and long jumpers in the state for the Kennedy track team. He ranks second in the state in the high school with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches and ranks seventh in the long jump at 20 feet, 11 1/4 inches.

Rhoads placed sixth in the high jump at the state meet last year and is looking to move up this season.

Jasmine Blue wins Metro Spotlight Award

Jasmine Blue of Cedar Rapids Jefferson is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Blue, a junior, is one of the top sprinters in the state for the Jefferson track team. Her accomplishments began as a freshman when she helped the J-Hawks win the 4x200 relay at the 2013 state meet with an all-time best clocking. She's gotten even faster since then.

Blue helped Jefferson defend its state title in the 4x200 relay last year. She also helped the J-Hawks win the sprint medley at the state meet and place second in the 4x100 relay. Individually, she finished third in the 100 meter dash at state.