Metro Sports Report

Eagles win twice at Region XI meet

FORT DODGE - The fourth-ranked Kirkwood Eagles won both of their games at the NJCAA Region XI softball tournament Friday in Fort Dodge.

Kirkwood defeated Iowa Lakes, 10-2, in six innings in the first game and blanked Marshalltown, 3-0, in the second contest.

The Eagles (51-6) will face DMACC at 3 p.m. Saturday in the next round of the double-elimination tournament.

Erin Weno went 2-for-4 with four RBIs against Iowa Lakes. Brooke Prior was 2-for-3, scored three runs and had three RBIs. Chasney Jenkins went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

Tara Walls, Prior and Weno all socked home runs against Iowa Lakes. Sam Belz pitched a seven-hitter with four strikeouts.

Shy Saladino tossed a four-hit shutout with eight strikeouts against Marshalltown. Prior went 2-for-3. Weno and Jenna Schulte drove in runs.

Vavra excels despite blindness in eye

Tanner Vavra knows the question about his right eye is going to be asked in almost every interview, but he's learned to deal with the situation over the years.

The Kernels second baseman is blind in his right eye, the result of a fishing accident at age three and a subsequent injury suffered playing football several years later.

Vavra, the son of Minnesota Twins coach Joe Vavra, said questions about his eyesight don't bother him much anymore.

“It’s kind of come and gone. That used to be the biggest concern. People doubted me," he said.

“It irritated me for a while and it’s still a little chip, but I’m just trying to get rid of the whole, ‘You’re here because of your dad,’ type deal.

Jeff, Linn-Mar girls shine in IC

IOWA CITY - The Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Linn-Mar girls track teams combined to win seven events at the Iowa City West Invitational Thursday.

Jasmine Blue captured the 100 meter dash (13.06) and Madison Ranschau won the 100 hurdles (16.60) for the J-Hawks. Jefferson also claimed the 4x200 relay (1:50.33) and the 4x100 relay (49.13).

Abbie Ranschau, Morgan Meese, Malorie Beard and McKayla Belew ran the 4x200 for Jefferson. Lucy Schneekloth, Abbie Ranschau, Meese and Blue ran the 4x100.

Linn-Mar captured the distance medley and 4x400 relay. Katie Sommer, Sarah Renner, Hanna Saville and Amber Decker ran on the medley. Hanna Saville, Maddie Saville, Kennedy Japenga and Decker formed the 4x400 relay.

Lannie Nietert won the shot put for Linn-Mar (39-5 1/4).

Iowa City West won the team championship. Linn-Mar placed third in the seven-team field. Jefferson placed fourth, Kennedy fifth and Washington sixth.

Mr. Shucks goes on '3-Day DL'

The Cedar Rapids Kernels' front office announced Wednesday that their beloved mascot, Mr. Shucks, was "injured" during Tuesday night's game and will be on the Disabled List for three days.

Mr. Shucks was not really hurt - there's actually a problem with the costume - but the Kernels decided to have some fun with the situation while their mascot is "on the mend."

"We hope to have Mr. Shucks return to our fans for Saturday night's game if all goes well with his recovery," said Kernels Entertainment Manager Ryne George.