St. Cloud State diver Chris Whiteof Rochester is once again an All-American, but he wasn't able to duplicate his lofty finish of a year ago at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Meet.
Last year White won the national championship in both the one- and three-meter events and was named Division II Diver the the Year. This year the senior placed fifth in the one-meter competition and he was sixth in the three-meter event.
White, a Mayo grad, was still an All-American in both events. He closes his career as an eight-time All-American in diving.
White's teammate, Luke Weberof Mankato, was this year's Diver of the Year. Weber, a senior, won the three-meter event and was the national runner-up in the one-meter.
St. Cloud State placed 12th in the team standings at the national championships.
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Rochester's Brian Kielscored points in three different events for Purdue at the Big Ten Conference Meet in men's swimming and diving.
Kiel, a junior and a Century grad, placed fifth in the consolation final of the 200 backstroke. He was seventh in the consolation final of the 200 individual medley and eighth in the consolation final of the 100 backstroke.
Purdue placed fifth out of 10 teams at the Big Ten meet.
Kiel posted 10 individual wins for Purdue during the season. He finished with the team's top time in the 200 freestyle (1:37.57), 100 backstroke (47.95) and 200 backstroke (1:44.57).
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According to Tom Pelisseroof 1500ESPN.com, Minnesota Vikings defensive back/kick return Marcus Sherelsof Rochester received a one-year, $555,000 contract tender as an exclusive rights player on Monday.
The contract is not guaranteed. Sherels had a $415,000 contract in 2012, his second full season with the Vikings.
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Sherels averaged 9.0 yards on 32 punt returns with one 77-yard touchdown in 2012. He averaged 26.4 yards on 16 kick returns with a long of 41 yards.
He has been the Vikings' full-time punt return the last two seasons. With Monday's trade of Percy Harvin, Sherels is also the most experienced kickoff returner on the team.
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The Rochester Community and Technical College men's basketball team has a tough draw in the first round of the NJCAA Division III National Tournament.
The Yellowjackets enter the eight-team, three-day tournament ranked second in the nation and with a 27-3 record. But RCTC will face top-ranked Brookdale (30-1) in the national quarterfinals on Thursday at 4 p.m.
The tournament is being played at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, N.Y. Each team is guaranteed three games. The second round is Friday and the final round is Saturday.
This is the third time in the past four years that RCTC, coached by Brian LaPlante, has reached the national tournament. The Yellowjackets placed second in both 2010 and '11.
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Rochester Community and Technical College had 17 athletes from three fall sports named to the MCAC All-Academic Team. The sports were for football, golf and volleyball, although RCTC also competes in women's soccer in the fall.
Yellowjackets honored were Charles Arnold(football), Theodore Barthel(football), Troy Bitterle(football), Jake Kirsch(football), Zimmermann Kratochvil(football), Rob Mackesey(football), Alan McCaulley(football), Justin Puetz(football), Geoffrey Ramaker(football), Joel Van Hazinga(men's golf), Taylor Aakre(volleyball), Jenica Gerber(volleyball), Clarissa Richards(volleyball), Chanda Riedemann(volleyball), Marcy Swenson(volleyball), Cassidy Miller(women's golf) and Jessie Tammelwomen's golf.
• Riverland's fall All-Academic Team members were volleyball players Laura Hermann, Natasha Klinghagen, Krista Krogh, Kayla Rodgers, Nicole Swansonand Amy Thompson.
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A number of basketball officials from the Rochester Area Officials Association have been assigned to work games at the state tournaments. The state girls basketball tournament is this week and the boys tournament is next week.
Area officials working state girls games are Ron Alston, Jared Butson, Paul Storsveen, Josh Dascher, MJ Wagenson, Jeremy Zacher, Marshall Behrens, Royce Ruter, Jeff Willsand Eric Rain.
Alston and Butson will work two rounds, including one of the state title games on Saturday.
Area officials working state boys games are Tristan Severson, Jesse Kralewskiand Ben Boldt.Severson will work two rounds, including one of the state title games on March 23.
