CEDAR RAPIDS — A blowout. An extra-inning thriller.
A double-header split.
Class 4A third-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson exploded for 15 hits in a 13-3 laugher in the opener, then Susanne Scieszinski handcuffed the J-Hawks as No. 14 Cedar Rapids Xavier claimed the nightcap, 2-1, in eight innings in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball double-header last night at Bob Erusha Field.
Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Morgan Allee slides safely past Linn-Mar's Lindsey Harms on Thursday at the Jefferson Softball Complex. The J-Hawks swept the Lions, 4-0 and 11-1. (Photo by Cliff Jette)
CEDAR RAPIDS — A spectator made the observation early and accurately:
“This doesn’t seem like Jeff/Linn-Mar.”
Class 4A third-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson struck for 22 hits and dominated rebuilding Linn-Mar, 4-0 and 11-1, in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball double-header Thursday night at the Jefferson Softball Complex.
Larry Niemeyer, here huddling with his Cedar Rapids Jefferson softball team during the 2008 state tournament, has been selected as the 2009 National High School Coaches Association national coach of the year. (AP photo)
CEDAR RAPIDS — For a day, Larry Niemeyer felt young again.
The nation’s all-time leader in softball victories, Niemeyer has been selected as the 2009 National High School Coaches Association national coach of the year.
It was getting toward late summer a year ago, and Nick McCool hadn’t received a job offer.
Finally, a call came from Iowa Valley. An elementary PE job. And a varsity head-coaching job.
Just what he wanted. Plus a bonus — the softball team is quite good.
Cedar Rapids Jefferson's Brittany Madsen slides into second base as the ball gets away from Cedar Rapids Washington shortstop Jordan Carr in Jefferson's sweep Thursday. (Photo by Chris Mackler)
CEDAR RAPIDS — Looking strictly at Cedar Rapids Washington’s record and the lopsided defeats, you figure it’s another dead-end season for a softball program that’s been spinning its wheels for years.
Fanaye Kifletsadik sees it as a beginning.
If Jenny Drahozal and Cedar Rapids Xavier are going to advance to state in their first year as a 4A softball school, they'll probably have to get past Cedar Rapids Jefferson in the regional finals. (Photo by Liz Martin)
The Metro is guaranteed a Class 4A team in the state softball tournament next month.
One. And one only.
This is a common scene at the Muscatine Soccer Complex, the Xavier Saints celebrating a Class 1A championship. They pursue their fourth in a row, beginning Thursday. (Gazette photo)
They’re both ranked No. 1, and they’re both favored to bring championships home to 42nd Street NE.
But the similarities end there for the girls’ soccer teams from Cedar Rapids Xavier and Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
Candice Kiernan (middle) and Cedar Rapids Jefferson maneuvered past Linn-Mar in a regional semifinal last week. Monday, the J-Hawks will try to get past North Scott. (Photo by Cliff Jette)
Cedar Rapids Washington already has exceeded all expectations in girls’ soccer this season.
“We’ve overachieved,” said Coach Kerry Brimmo.
A win Monday would be the ultimate capper. And a major upset.
Three defending state champions are ranked No. 1 in the preseason softball rankings, released Wednesday at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.
EIGHT GAZETTE-AREA TEAMS TO WATCH FOR 2009:
