Kennedy senior Austin Christensen, who set numerous school hitting and pitching records for the Cougars this season, was named the Metro Athlete of the Year in voting by the seven Metro baseball coaches.

Christensen also was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Iowa and was named the Mississippi Division Player of the Year in the Mississippi Valley Conference. He was 8-0 on the mound and slugged 19 home runs, helping Kennedy to a 31-8 record and berth in the Class 4A state tournament, where the Cougars are the defending champions.

Kennedy had three players on the first team and Jefferson had one. The other five schools had two representatives apiece.

Joining Christensen on the first team from Kennedy are second baseman Terrell Sykes and third baseman Devon Jacobus.

Marion qualified for the Class 3A tournament. The Indians on the first team are second baseman Kasey Semler and shortstop Zach Nielsen.

Prairie's DJ Utley also is a first teamer. He was chosen the MVC Valley Division Player of the Year.

Coaches of the Year are Xavier's Dave Schemmel and his staff. The Saints finished 26-11.

2011 ALL-METRO BASEBALL TEAM

FIRST TEAM
DJ Utley, Prairie
Brayton Carlson, Prairie
Jordy Brown, Washington
AJ Puk, Washington
Austin Christensen, Kennedy
Terrell Sykes, Kennedy
Devon Jacobus, Kennedy
Tanner Unkel, Jefferson
Nate Even, Xavier
Blake Helms, Xavier
Ben Larison, Linn-Mar
Nate Greve, Linn-Mar
Kasey Semler, Marion
Zach Nielsen, Marion

SECOND TEAM
Anthony Gagliardi, Prairie        
Sam Kacena, Washington
Griffin Michael, Kennedy
David Yancey, Kennedy
Michael Rooney, Jefferson
Corbin Woods, Xavier
Mack Mattke, Xavier
Ean McNeal, Xavier
Michael Redmond, Linn-Mar
Andrew Charipar, Marion


METRO COACHES OF THE YEAR
Dave Schemmel Xavier Coaching Staff


ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Austin Christensen, Kennedy


HONORABLE MENTION
C.R. Washington - Cole Rhatigan and Dan White                    
C.R. Jefferson - Alex Larson and Bailey Hollingsworth
C.R. Xavier - Dane Mehring and Colby Brecht
Linn Mar - Jeremy Danover and Jake Stolley
C.R. Kennedy - Alex Hayden and Cody Bell
C.R. Prairie - Chaz Boots and Brennan Hammer
Marion - Mitch Wagner and Byron Fish