Metro Sports Report

Kennedy spikers start season at No. 2

Kennedy has been to the semifinals of the Class 4A state volleyball tournament each of the last three seasons.

The Cougars will be aiming a little higher this season.

Kennedy begins the season ranked No. 2 in Class 5A. Iowa City High is ranked No. 1 and Iowa City West, the Cougars' semifinal nemesis the last three seasons, is ranked ninth.

Two other Metro teams also are in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union preseason rankings. Xavier is ranked No. 12 and Marion is 14th in Class 4A.

Printy returns to Linn-Mar as teacher and coach

Jordan Printy has plenty of great memories from his years as a basketball player and student at Linn-Mar High School.

Now he's returned to Linn-Mar as a young teacher and coach, ready to help create memories for the next generation of Lions.

Printy, 23, has been hired as a social studies teacher and student supervisor at the high school and he'll also be an assistant coach with the boys basketball team this 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) -- Did not play Tuesday in the Loons' 6-5 loss at West Michigan. It was the first game Scott sat out since June 17, a span of 56 games. Year to date -- BA - .266, AB - 473, R - 65, H - 126, RBI - 64, 2B - 31, 3B - 8, HR - 6, SB - 16.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at third base Tuesday and went 1-for-4 in Vancouver's 3-0 loss at Salem-Keizer. In his last 31 games Kellen is 32-for-113 and has jumped his average from .163 to .227. Vancouver totals -- BA - .227, AB - 211, R - 28, H - 48, RBI - 28, 2B - 13, 3B - 2, HR - 5, SB - 4.

Happy anniversary to LaSalle, Jefferson

Iowa high school football gets rolling in earnest this week and it’s the time of year every team has big goals, whether it be ending a losing streak, winning a district or conference title, or capturing a state championship.

Inevitably some will succeed and some will fail. Whatever happens, the 2012 season – like all the previous ones – will be remembered by those involved for years to come.

As the years pass, there will be milestones, as is the case this fall for athletes of two Metro schools. This year marks the 30th and 40th anniversaries of state championship teams at LaSalle and Jefferson, respectively.