Metro Sports Report

MSR zooms past 1.5 million pageviews

The Metro Sports Report celebrated another milestone in late August when we passed 1.5 million pageviews for the website.

Or as I like to see the number written, we passed 1,500,000 pageviews. All those zeroes make it seem more impressive, don't you think?

We stood at 1,531,645 pageviews when the clock struck Sept. 1. We're averaging nearly 100,000 pageviews per month now, so at that pace we should reach 2 million pageviews in January.

The timing would be special if we hit 2 million in early January. We launched our little project on Jan. 3, 2011, so it would be great fun if we hit 2 million on Jan. 3, 2013.

Kingston upgrading shot put, discus areas

The Cedar Rapids Community School District is in the process of rebuilding the shot put and discus areas at Kingston Stadium as part of a $284,000 project.

If all goes according to plan, the Cedar Rapids schools will have a state-of-the-art facility with safety nets instead of chain-link backstops. Bleacher seating also is planned, although probably not for 2013.

The area bordered by 8th Avenue and 15th Street SW was used as the temporary home for the school district during the post-flood era from the summer of 2008 through this past spring, but the school district has moved into its new headquarters along Edgewood Road NW and all 35 trailers have been removed from the Kingston grounds.

The shot put and discus areas were moved to a temporary location on a grassy area south of Kingston Stadium for the past three high school track seasons, but now the throwing areas will be returning to their former location.

"It was always the intent to bring it back and restore it to its former use," said Matt Dunbar, who manages Kingston Stadium for the school district.

The school district plans to build two shot put rings and two discus circles on the north side of Kingston, although the exact timing depends on weather and construction schedules. Dunbar hopes the bulk of the project will be finished in time for the 2013 track and field season.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Was placed on the disabled list July 31 after undergoing surgery for a broken knuckle on his left pinky finger. He is expected to be out until late September. Year to date -- BA - .260, AB - 204, R - 22, H - 53, RBI - 16, 2B - 19, 3B - 2, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), Midwest League) -- Started in left field Monday and was 0-for-2 in the Loons' 9-0 loss to South Bend that ended the Midwest League regular season. Year to date -- BA - .260, AB - 515, R - 67, H - 134, RBI - 67, 2B - 32, 3B - 8, HR - 6, SB - 17.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Went 0-for-2, but walked three times, stole a base and scored a run in Vancouver's 7-4 win over Everett that gave the Canadians a sweep of their first round series, two games to none. The best-of-3 championship series starts Thursday against either Boise or Yakima. Vancouver totals -- BA - .229, AB - 245, R - 35, H - 56, RBI - 29, 2B - 15, 3B - 2, HR - 5, SB - 5.

Saints claim Washington volleyball title

The back of Xavier volleyball coach Barb Sullivan’s jersey reads, “No limits.”

And after her Saints defeated Class 4A third-ranked Solon Saturday afternoon to win the Washington Warrior 12-team tournament, she’s even higher on her veteran squad’s prospects this season.

Ranked 10th in 4A coming into the 21st annual tourney, the Xavier girls dropped their opening match in pool play to Solon but then sailed back to win their next four outings to force a rematch in the championship final.