Metro Sports Report

Teply, Sievertsen honored by MVC

CEDAR FALLS - University of Northern Iowa football players Jay Teply and Tyler Sievertsen of Cedar Rapids were named first team all-conference in the Missouri Valley Conference on Monday.

Teply, a senior, is a 6-foot-7, 328-pound offensive tackle from Xavier High School. Sievertsen, a sophomore, graduated from Kennedy High School and is UNI's place-kicker.

Burrell leads Wash grapplers into new year

Tyler Burrell had a successful season for the Cedar Rapids Washington wrestling team last year when he placed sixth at heavyweight at the Class 3A state tournament.

Washington Coach Matt Hatcher thinks Burrell can finish even higher this season and might be able to compete for a state title, although it's a tough weight class.

"He's right in there. He's in the mix," Hatcher said.

Linn-Mar's Marcus Paige is better than ever

Marcus Paige was one of the premier high school basketball players in Iowa last year, an all-state point guard and the driving force behind Linn-Mar's surge to the Class 4A title.

Now he's even better.

"He's a lot better than he was a year ago, probably in all phases of the game," Linn-Mar Coach Chris Robertson said. "His entire game is improving, and I think people are going to see how special he is this year."

People noticed how special he was last year, when he averaged 17.7 points, 3.5 assists and 3 steals on a talented club. North Carolina Coach Roy Williams noticed, too, and was delighted when Paige signed with the Tar Heels earlier this month.

Kirkwood's Weber strives for big time offer

Michael Weber had an extraordinarily memorable high school basketball career at Ames High School. Two years removed, he’s working to join his more decorated prep teammates at the next level.

Weber was a two-year starter on those Ames teams. His mates included Harrison Barnes, once the nation’s top recruit who is now starring for preseason No. 1-ranked North Carolina, and Doug McDermott, a brilliant big man with Creighton.