Silly as it may seem, in some ways, a couple local news items make me feel like a very young "kid" again. I guess maybe I'm just a small town boy with just small town expectations.
Very young kids eyes just sparkle when they get that first glimpse of Santa or the tree or the gifts. Its as if here was something that was never expected.
Somehow, that's the same type of excited feeling I get some 80 years later, here in Boone Iowa, when I read about young men being drafted right out of our Boone Campus, Des Moines Community College baseball team by MAJOR LEAGUE teams. WOW!! Can that really be true?
The Super National races at the Boone Speedway each September gives me that same feeling of wonderment.
You mean that our little community is playing host to future Major League baseball players AND individuals who come here each year from border to border and then some to chase national racing glory. YEP!!
Who would have ever thunk it? Not me. But its true. It happens and it gives me an extra heartbeat that such notoriety has come to this little 'burg that I have loved for over 70 years.
First, a news release tells us that a former Boone campus, Des Moines Area Community College baseball standout, Austin Murr, has been drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2021 Major League baseball draft.
Murr, an outfielder and first baseman, was taken in the sixth round and was the 165th player taken in the draft. His name on the line added $200,000 to his bank account.
BUT HOW ABOUT THIS......He is the 16th DMACC baseball player to be drafted by a Major League team since 2009. Three other DMACC players have signed free agent contracts with Major League teams since 2009.
After outstanding 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons at DMACC which gained him numerous honors athletically and academically, Murr finished out his collegiate career with two years at North Carolina State.
At North Carolina State, he helped the Wolfpack to the 2021 College World Series where they won two games and were one win away from playing for the national championship when COVID interrupted that dream.
Murr was quoted as saying, "I'm thankful for the run we had at NCS and for everybody at DMACC. I wouldn't have had the success I've had at N.C. State without the DMACC coaches and I'm thankful for the opportunity."
Two former DMACC players have actually had excellent Major League careers. In the mid-90's, Corey Koskie went from being a Bears star to a very nice eight-year Major League career which was halted due to a serious injury. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers.
Scott Schebler, a Cedar Rapids native, played at DMACC prior to Major League service which began in 2015. He has played the outfield for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Angels.
Boone Iowa and Boone DMACC campus, a place where young baseball players from many surrounding states come to play the sport with hopes of eventually having an opportunity for further collegiate and even professional play.
Along that same line, Boone Iowa annually hosts at the Boone Speedway the International Motor Contest Association Super National championships.
That event consistently attracts 700 to 900 entrants for a full week of racing in various categories.
AND, the many racers come to central Iowa from all over the USA. Its not unusual for drivers from California, New York, Canada, Texas and all the midwest states from competing and winning national championships here.
So, thanks to Boone Campus, DMACC, Boone Speedway Director Bob Lawton and the IMCA officials for providing this small town boy with events that draw national attention.
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BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS: Bernadine Ann Schmidt Goetzman, 86, Ames. Formerly of Ogden and Boone. Born in Ogden. OHS-53. Married Richard Goetzman in 1954. Survivors include two daughters, Cindy Barrett and Carol Ahrens, both of Boone and five siblings...........Kent Mowrer, 52, Madrid. Perry HS/ISU. Married Christine Emery in 1996. Devoted his working life to agriculture. Survivors include his wife, Chris, and daughters, Josie and Maddie Mowrer, all of Madrid. Also surviving are his mother and three siblings, including brother Thomas Mowrer of Ogden........Julie Ann Landon Huisman, 65, Ames. Survivors include a granddaughter, Bianca Anne McConkey, of Ogden.......Charles Z. Rogers, 75, Ogden.
K-----K
Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments/death notices..........kelleyskorner1@gmail.com.
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