Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

To use a sports term, the economy may be in a serious slump, but the Rochester Amateur Sports Commission continues to bring more and more sporting events to the city.

"It's crazy busy," said RASC executive director Ed Hruska."We are seeing increasing numbers of events and increasing numbers of visitors."

Hruska said gate numbers continue to go up as well as merchandise sales. He cited the recent NJCAA National Wrestling event as an example.

"We have created three new events this year, all which are being received with strong registration," Hruska said. "Our Rochester Cup youth volleyball and the upcoming Return of the Robin Old Timers Hockey events are also experiencing record numbers."

Hruska added: "We are in the midst of our most hectic time ever."

The week of April 3-5 there will be five various amateur events coming to Rochester: Wrestling, volleyball, table tennis, hockey and taekwondo.

"(That's) some good news for our community," Hruska said.

• • •

The Minnesota Timberwolves will honor 9-year-old Cody Schoemann of Pine Island during an upcoming game. Cody is a cancer survivor who at age 6 was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma Cancer in his leg. He had extensive surgery and chemo treatment for one year.

On Tuesday at Target Center Cody will be honored as "A Hero in the Making" by the Timberwolves. He will get to warm up with the Timberwolves before the game and during halftime he will go out on the floor to receive an autographed ball from the Minnesota players. He will also get a jersey with his name on it and will meet the cheerleaders.

• • •

Losing in the Class AA Minnesota State High School League boys basketball state tournament on Wednesday was tough for Triton. The Cobras lost 67-48 to St. Bernard's in the state quarterfinals on Wednesday and were eliminated. But the loss did have a sliver lining for the Andrews family. Senior Damon Andrews was a starting forward for the Cobras. His sister, Alex, is a starter for the Minnesota State, Mankato women's basketball team. The Mavs played in the Division II national championship game in San Antonio, Texas, on Friday. Damon and his parents hopped a plane on Thursday after the Cobras lost and were able to attend the MSU championship win.

• • •

Rochester's Michael Restovich, who was recently sent to the Chicago White Sox minor league camp in spring training, has been reassigned to the Charlotte Knights. The Knights are the Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox.

Restovich, 30, signed with the White Sox in the offseason after spending last year in Japan.

• • •

Winona State sophomore Rebecca Stier of Grand Meadow recently placed fourth in the 20-pound weight throw at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships held in New Orleans. The performance has earned Stier All-America status.

Stier, a physical education major, also won the shot put title at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. She had a winning throw of 44-feet, 4-inches.

• • •

Several area boys basketball players will be competing in the third annual South Central High School Boys Basketball All Star Games to be held on Sunday at Concordia-St. Paul University. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with a slam dunk and 3-point shooting contest followed by three games.

Area players who will play include Sean McGrath of Lourdes, Tanner Kramer of Hayfield, Zach Southwick of Byron, Travis Landrum and Jeremy McNamara of Pine Island, and Isaac Peterson and Michael Banitt of Cannon Falls.

Guy N. Limbeck's Local Sports Notebook regularly runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays.