Metro Sports Report

Bob Brooks honored by C.R. Schools

Bob Brooks broadcast his first high school football games from Kingston Stadium in 1952 and still visits the facility in search of good stories for his radio and TV shows.

Starting Sept. 30, he'll be reporting from the Bob Brooks Press Box at Kingston Stadium.

The Cedar Rapids Community Schools have decided to rename the press box in Brooks' honor and make him the first member of the new Kingston Hall of Fame.

There will be a ceremony at Kingston Stadium on Friday, Sept. 30 during halftime of the Jefferson and Kennedy football game.

"I'm humbled by it, of course," Brooks said Monday morning. "It's nothing I expected or thought about. I certainly appreciate the kindness."

The new Kingston Hall of Fame will recognize significant contributions made to the success of activities performed at Kingston Stadium, according to Dr. Dave Benson, the superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community Schools.

Kibby dispels reports of Niemeyer retirement

Reports of Larry Niemeyer's retirement as coach of the Jefferson girls basketball and softball teams have been greatly exaggerated.

Niemeyer retired his teaching post at Jefferson last spring, but said he would continue his coaching duties. However, in the minutes of the Aug. 22 Cedar Rapids school board meeting it was noted that he had resigned both coaching positions on July 25.

Jefferson Athletics Director Scott Kibby said Monday that submitting his retirement was necessary to get Niemeyer off the rolls of the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS). Kibby said Niemeyer will be rehired at a later date to both positions. He said the same protocol was followed when Ron Tower retired last spring and was rehired to coach boys and girls cross country this fall and boys track next spring.

"It was a formality to get (Niemeyer) out of the IPERS system," Kibby said. "We did the same thing with Ron Tower and the same thing with Bill Calloway several years ago."

Calloway is the Jefferson girls track coach.

Niemeyer is the national leader among high school softball coaches with 2,055 career victories. His 861 career victories in girls basketball rank 13th nationally.

Former Metro preps in pro baseball

RYAN SWEENEY (Xavier, Oakland Athletics) -- Did not play Monday in the Athletics' 2-1 loss at Cleveland.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .276 (62-225), HR -- 1, RBI -- 21, 2B -- 11, 3B -- 1, R -- 27, SB -- 1.

MATT HOLLAND (Marion, GCL Phillies) -- Season completed.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .236 (26-110), HR -- 4, RBI -- 15, 2B -- 7, 3B -- 0, R -- 19, SB -- 1.

SCOTT SCHEBLER (Prairie, Ogden (Dodgers)) -- Ogden was not scheduled to play Monday.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .282 (72-255), HR -- 10, RBI -- 48, 2B -- 16, 3B -- 6, R -- 38, SB -- 1.

KELLEN SWEENEY (Jefferson, Bluefield (Blue Jays)) -- On the disabled list with a cracked bone in his left wrist and has not played since June 30.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. -- .114 (4-35), HR -- 0, RBI -- 1, 2B -- 1, 3B -- 0, R -- 4, SB -- 0.

NATE WOODS (Xavier, Jupiter (Marlins)) -- Did not play Monday in the Hammerheads' 3-0 win over Palm Beach.
Year-to-date: Batting avg. .222 (10-45), HR -- 1, RBI -- 4, 2B -- 2, 3B -- 0, R -- 2, SB -- 0.

Petersen, Burgart commit to Mustangs, Sedlacek to UNI

At a minimum the Jefferson J-Hawks will have three of their six seniors going on to play softball in college after this year.

Left fielder Rachel Sedlacek, pitcher Hannah Petersen and shortstop Carson Burgart all recently committed to play college softball next year. Sedlacek will head to Northern Iowa while both Petersen and Burgart have decided to attend Mount Mercy.

The group is excited to have the opportunity to play at the next level, but none of them are looking past this year. They all would like to end their high school career with a state title while enjoying one more year with their J-Hawk teammates.

“There is no explaining high school ball. These girls are my family and I can’t imagine not seeing them every day,” Petersen said. “My goals are to enjoy my last year and be the first 5A state champs.”

Sedlacek and Burgart agree. Both said they will miss their teammates and would like to win the state title.

Mount Mercy made a major haul in landing Petersen.