Professional baseball player Aaron Senneof Rochester is in the city rehabbing his injured throwing arm.
Senne, a farmhand of the Florida Marlins, had Tommy John surgery earlier this year on his left arm and missed the entire 2010 season.
He has been in Rochester for the past couple of weeks and plans on staying until heading to spring training in Jupiter, Fla., in early January. Senne is making his first extended stay in Rochester during the fall and winter since he left for college in Missouri.
"I love winter, I miss the cold weather," Senne said.
Senne, who just turned 24, expects to be ready to play when spring training officials starts in February. He said he could start the season in low Class A ball in Greensboro, N.C., or perhaps in the Marlins' high Class A club in Jupiter.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I've just got to get out there and keep moving up the ladder," he said. "They don't like people to skips steps (in the organizational ladder)."
Senne has played both outfield and first base in the past, but now might be regulated to infield duty.
"Right now they have me exclusively at first base," Senne said. "I'd like to go back and play some outfield."
Senne's first year as a pro was in 2010 when he played rookie ball in Jamestown, N.Y.
———
Leon Clarkof Rochester was the top rusher for the St. Olaf football team this season and closed his career second on the team's all-time list.
Clark, a Century grad, rushed for 1,008 yards and averaged 4.8 yards a carry in 10 games. He rushed for 11 touchdowns, leading the team in scoring with 66 points.
The senior also caught 31 passes for 238 yards, both third on the team.
ADVERTISEMENT
Clark finished his career with 3,240 yards rushing to place second in St. Olaf history. After rushing just 10 times as a freshman, he closed with three straight 1,000-yard seasons (1,084, 1,046 and 1,008) in his final three years.
He helped St. Olaf finish the season 8-2.
Two Triton grads were also on the St. Oalf squad, senior offensive lineman Daine Jenschand freshman running back Connor Hendersonof Dodge Center. Henderson did not have any rushing attempts.
———
Rochester John Marshall grad Nate Dobbinshelped Hamline University placed 17th at the NCAA Division III National Championships in men's cross country this past Saturday.
Dobbins was the No. 5 runner in the race for Hamline. He scoring placement was 153rd and he had a time of 25:58.74 over the 8K course.
There were 24 teams competing in the national event, held in Winneconne, Wis.
• Josh Woldof Rochester helped the St. Olaf men's cross country team place 23rd at the national event.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wold, a Century grad, was the No. 4 St. Olaf finisher in the race. Overall the sophomore placed 150th with a time of 25:36.64.
A total of 279 runners competed in the event.
———
Scott Verleyof Blooming Prairie was a senior wide receiver on the Augustana football team this fall. The Vikings finished the season 6-5.
Verley caught one pass for nine yards during the season. He also had one catch as both a sophomore and a junior.
———
La Crescent senior Troy Traxlerhas officially signed a letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Minnesota.
Traxler, a 5-foot-11 catcher, hit .457 as a junior with 43 hits and scored 40 runs in 29 games. In three varsity seasons, Traxler has helped has helped lead La Crescent to a 72-17 record, including a Class AA state championship (2010), a state runner-up and three state appearances.