Metro Sports Report

Handing out hardware for 2011-12

It ended quickly, as it always does.

With the raising of an umpire's right hand, the 2011-12 sports season ended for the Metro teams about 10 days ago at Principal Park in Des Moines at the State Baseball Tournament when Kennedy fell to Fort Dodge in the semifinals.

What started in hot weather last August on a golf course, ended on a ball diamond, also in very hot weather.

Now that the 2011-12 sports season has officially gone into the books, it is time for some recollection. Over the next few weeks, I will take a look back at how the schools fared for the year and then the top stories in the Metro area. I did this last year and get a lot of positive feedback, so we will try it once again.

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 miss eight weeks. 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 Thursday and went 1-for-4 with a triple and run scored in the Loons' 6-3 win at Lake County. Year to date -- BA - .267, AB - 435, R - 61, H - 116, RBI - 58, 2B - 30, 3B - 7, HR - 5, SB - 16.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at designated hitter Thursday and went 0-for-2 in Vancouver's 5-1 loss at Tri-City. Vancouver totals -- BA - .204, AB - 167, R - 23, H - 34, RBI - 24, 2B - 10, 3B - 2, HR - 4, SB - 2.

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 miss eight weeks. 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 Wednesday and went 0-for-4 in the Loons' 5-2 loss at Lake County. Year to date -- BA - .267, AB - 431, R - 60, H - 115, RBI - 58, 2B - 30, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 16.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), Northwest League) -- Started at third base Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Vancouver's 9-3 loss at Tri-City. Vancouver totals -- BA - .206, AB - 165, R - 23, H - 34, RBI - 24, 2B - 10, 3B - 2, HR - 4, SB - 2.

Carr embraces life as UNI defender

It was a joy to watch Alex Carr play tailback at Cedar Rapids Washington during the 2010 campaign.

A little guy but extremely tough, he'd carry the ball 30 times, 40 times or even 50 times a game, whatever the team needed, and he'd look just as strong, just as fresh, just as quick, just as fast in the fourth quarter as when the game began.

He scooted for 1,925 yards and accounted for 28 touchdowns for the Warriors in 2010 as a senior and made the all-state teams, and rightfully so.