The Austin Packer Backer Booster Club is offering several $500 scholarships to graduating high school student-athletes.

Eligibility requirement is based on three-year participation in an Austin High School sport with a minimum 2.5 grade point average and attending a two- or four-year college, trade or vocational school in the fall of 2003.

Applications may be obtained at the AHS counselor's office or through activities director Naomi Hatfield. Deadline for applications is April 25.

Entries now being accepted for annual Corky's slowpitch tourney

Entries are now being accepted for the 24th annual Corky's Early Bird Men's Slowpitch Softball Tournament.

The event will be held May 2-4 at the Steele County Fairgrounds complex in Owatonna. Entry deadline has been set for Friday, April 25.

The tournament offers three divisions of play: Open Division -- allows seven home runs per game; Rec Division -- offers a four home run and a one home run bracket. Entry fee is $175 in the open division and $125 in either rec division.

For more information, contact Jim "Corky" Ebeling, 950 Olympic Hills Place, Owatonna, Minn., 55060, or call (507) 451-1745. You may also contact Doug Meier at (507) 455-1961.

Bikin' Barney's kicks off racing season with windy time trial

The first time trial of the year was held Sunday, April 13, just off Highway 105 S. The six-mile time trial was won by Dave Cole with a time of 16 minutes, 35 seconds. Second place went to Jeff Miller (17:00) and third went to Mike Tischer (17:35) of Rydjor Bike Shop.

Times were held down by strong winds, but there was still a good turnout.

The rest of the competitors finished as follows: Sean Mortenson, Tracy Parks, Dave Newman, Larry Chladek, Scott Matter, Matt Juncker, Bob Stephens, Steve Thorson, Jason Weber and Dick Dixon.

Austin All-Star Youth baseball offering tryouts next weekend

Austin All-Star Youth baseball tryouts will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, at the Todd Park South diamonds. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, and tryouts begin immediately following. Players interested in playing are expected to be at all tryouts.

There is no charge to try out for a team. Registration forms are available at Games People Play and South Central Athlete in Austin, or from any Ellis Middle School coach. In Adams, contact Dianna Voigt for information.

Tryouts will be run on the following schedule. In the event of inclement weather, tune to KAUS 1480 AM for changes.

12-and-under

Saturday -- 9-10:30 a.m.; 2:30-4 p.m.

Sunday -- 1:30-3 p.m.

13-year-olds

Saturday -- 10:30 a.m. to noon; TBA.

14-year-olds

Saturday -- 1-2:30 p.m.; TBA.