Metro Sports Report

Petersen ready for 2nd year at KCC

Bryan Petersen does not have to walk around Johnson Hall with the word "interim" hanging over his head anymore, not that it really bothered him last year.

Petersen, 27, is the full-time coach of the Kirkwood men's basketball team this season now that Doug Wagemester has decided to focus solely on being the school's athletic director.

Petersen was the "interim" head coach last year when the Eagles finished 21-10 overall and tied for second in the ICCAC conference with a 10-4 league record. Now there's nothing "interim" about it.

Like any coach, things are a little easier the second time around.

"I definitely feel more comfortable," Petersen said after practice Monday. "I'm not creating everything for the first time like I was last year, so that makes it a little bit easier. But I'm still learning."

No. 9 Cougars dream about state volleyball

Michelle Goodall steered Kennedy High School to the semifinals of the state volleyball tournament in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 during a remarkable four-year run, but the Cougars have not reached the state meet the last two seasons.

Goodall is anxious to get back to the 2014 tournament, which will be held at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Cedar Rapids Nov. 11-14.

"It's weird when your season ends early," Goodall said Monday night. "The kids have a little dream going on. We're hopeful of getting down there. I'm guessing every kid in the state has the same dream."

The ninth-ranked Cougars began the postseason trail Monday with a 25-19, 25-7, 25-9 victory over Cedar Rapids Washington in the Class 5A regional quarterfinals at the Kennedy gym.

Kennedy (27-11) will play at Linn-Mar (27-11) Thursday night in the regional semifinals. The regional finals will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4 at Newton with third-ranked Dowling looming in the other half of the bracket.

Muhl has 'healthy' outlook for Eagles

Kim Muhl thinks he has the ingredients for another successful women's basketball team at Kirkwood Community College this year, but there's one thing he cannot control.

Muhl learned that painful lesson last season when injuries derailed another possible trip to the national tournament.

"I think the biggest thing is staying healthy," he said Monday. "We have some nice pieces, but we have to stay healthy."

Kirkwood finished 25-7 overall last season and 12-4 in the ICCAC Conference. That's an outstanding year for most schools, but Muhl has won six national titles during his 26 years with the Eagles and he'd like another.

He's got a veteran group and so far everybody is healthy (knock on wood).

Reid Snitker wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Washington senior Reid Snitker is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Snitker is the quarterback for the top-ranked Washington football team, but he does much more than that for the undefeated Warriors. He's also an excellent defensive back and kick-returner.

Snitker had a big game in Washington's 63-19 victory at Burlington Friday night. He completed 7 of 8 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, carried the ball eight times for 138 yards and three TDs, made five tackles, had two kickoff returns for 84 yards and fielded a punt.

All told, Snitker accounted for 337 yards and five touchdowns against Burlington.