Metro Sports Report

Seniors: The heroes of summer

Nearly 70 percent of all high school students participate in some form of extracurricular activity. That is an amazing figure considering the choices that are out there for the typical high school student, whether it be a job or just sitting around the house and playing video games.

I want to single out the summer athlete. The athlete that sacrifices, in my mind, the most to be a part of the team.

Yes, I know, all athletes make sacrifices. Fall athletes practice in tremendous heat to start their years, and swimmers and wrestlers rise early in the morning to get to school to take part in workouts. Basketball is the longest season. Wrestlers cut weight. Swimmers practice twice a day for their compact season. Spring athletes perform in the best - and worst - of outdoor conditions.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Boston Red Sox) -- Placed on 15-day disabled list June 17 with broken bone in his foot. He took batting practice on Friday in Seattle, but was still wearing a small cast on his left big toe. He is eligible to come off the disabled list.  Year to date -- BA - .292, AB - 171, R - 19, H - 50, RBI - 13, 2B - 17, 3B - 1, HR - 0, SB - 0.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Great Lakes Loons (Dodgers), MWL) -- Started in left field Tuesday and was 1-for-4 in the Loons' 8-5 loss to West Michigan. Scott is second in the Midwest League in triples (6). Year to date -- BA - .273, AB - 311, R - 41, H - 85, RBI - 45, 2B - 23, 3B - 6, HR - 5, SB - 11.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays), NWL) -- Started at third base Tuesday and was 1-for-3 with a double and run scored in Vancouver's 4-3 win over Salem-Keizer. Vancouver totals -- BA - .151, AB - 53, R - 8, H - 8, RBI - 3, 2B - 4, 3B - 0, HR - 0, SB - 0

Jahlas sets table; Cougars feast on J-Hawks

Josh Jahlas set the table and the Kennedy Cougars dined on Jefferson pitching Tuesday night at Jefferson.

Jahlas was 3-for-3, scored four runs and drove in one to lead No. 2 Kennedy past Jefferson, 10-0, in six innings in a Mississippi Valley Conference baseball game.

Niemeyer not happy with J-Hawks' sweep

It’s clear that Jefferson softball Coach Larry Niemeyer is back at full steam after finding fault with his team following a doubleheader sweep at home Tuesday night to finish the regular season at 35-5.

“This team tonight,” he said, “did not resemble a team that is hungry for the state tournament.

“We have two more games to play to make it to state. If we play like we did tonight, we’re not going to win them.”

In beating Dubuque Wahlert (15-24) by scores of 10-3 and 4-3, the Class 5A fourth-ranked J-Hawks ended up 25-1 in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Their only league blemish came in an early season loss to Iowa City West.