The main outdoor stadium for Cedar Rapids public schools athletic events is getting a facelift and track and field events this spring are moving to other locations due to the work.
Kingston Stadium is being remodeled with the addition of FieldTurf and other reconstruction at the stately venue. Not only is the stadium the home of track meets, but football games are played there in the fall.
Some activities are still being held at the venue around the work, including field events for the John Ask Relays. The running events were contested at Cedar Rapids Xavier.
Another meet hosted by Cedar Rapids Jefferson was moved to Armstrong Field at Linn-Mar High School in nearby Marion.
A home has not been found for the Draxton-Stiers/Wilkinson Relays on April 17, the Warrior Relays on April 25 and the Wilkinson Relays on May 1.
The improvements also include lighting and restroom remodeling. The entire project should be done in time for the first football games of the 2009 season in August.
Track and Field: South Dakota signs Iowa athletes
Three Iowa athletes are joining the track and field and cross country programs at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. The group includes Tipton’s Eric Thein, Sean Keane of Sioux City Bishop Heelan and Lynn Carlson of Cherokee.
Thein was the individual champion at the Iowa Class 2A state cross country meet last fall and was a two-time all-state performer in the sport, qualifying for the state meet four times. In track and field, Thein was a two-time state meet qualifier, placing third in the 3,200 meter run and sixth in the 1,600 meter run at last spring’s meet.
Keane took fifth in the Class 3A long jump event at last spring’s state meet. He is a four-year letterwinner in track and also was a three-year letterwinner in football. Keane took seventh in the 2008 Drake Relays long jump, where he qualified for three events. Keane will also compete in sprint events with the Coyotes.
On the women’s side, Carlson is a three-time state qualifier and a two-time Drake Relays qualifier in the shot put, where her personal best is 40-feet, 11 ¾ inches. The versatile athlete also has been a three-time letterwinner in basketball and softball, where she was an honorable mention all-state selection for the Braves.
Volleyball: Schaeuble joins Morningside program
Kingsley-Pierson middle blocker Briana Schaeuble has committed to play volleyball for Morningside College of Sioux City, according to Morningside coach Rick Pruett.
The 6-foot-2 senior from Kingsley earned third-team Class 1A all-state honors last fall for the Panthers, who went to the state tournament. Kingsley-Pierson lost to eventual state champion Tripoli, despite a match-high 13 kills from Schaeuble.
During her senior season, Schaeuble recorded 433 kills, which was about half of the entire team total for the year. Her statistics also included 87 digs, 60 service aces, 25 solo blocks and 60 block assists.
Last season, Morningside made its first appearance in the NAIA national tournament, setting a school record for victories with 37.
Baseball: Gabrella suspended for exhibition play
Burlington Notre Dame baseball player Cody Gabrella won’t be playing his junior season for his high school team this summer. The Iowa High School Athletic Association has suspended him for one season after his appearance in an exhibition game.
An infielder, Gabrella took part in an exhibition game with the Class A minor league Burlington Bees, managed by his father Jim Gabrella, against Southeastern Community College. Cody made two plate appearances for the Bees late in the exhibition game, going 1-for-2.
The IHSAA decision is based on a rule that keeps high school athletes from competing against collegians in their own sport.
Jim Gabrella says they plan to appeal the ruling, saying it was cleared by Southeastern’s coach and the Kansas City Royals, the parent organization of the Bees. Jim adds he was not aware of the high school association rule that was the basis for the suspension and hopes that will be a factor in the appeal.
