Dan Gratz steps down at Kennedy

CEDAR RAPIDS — Dan Gratz leaves the Kennedy High School softball program in far better shape than which he found it.

Kennedy Athletics Director Aaron Stecker confirmed Wednesday that Gratz has submitted his resignation to become the director of softball operations at the University of Iowa.

Gratz led the Cougars to a Mississippi Valley Conference divisional title last summer, their first in 20 years. Kennedy was 37-5 and ranked No. 1 in the final Class 5A rankings before being upset by Cedar Rapids Prairie in the regional finals.

Kennedy was 13-25 in the season before Gratz arrived. In his three years, the Cougars crafted a 92-32 mark.

Gratz could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com