Christensens to face each other as foes probably for last time

Austin Christensen has just hit a home run and is trotting around the bases. But he doesn't have to reach his third-base coach to receive initial congratulations.The Cedar Rapids Kennedy player is between second and third when the opposing shortstop, of all people, suddenly sticks out his hand. The Cougars are playing rival Cedar Rapids Washington, no less. "Yeah, I remember that," Christensen said. "It was the Metro tournament last year. I was rounding second base, and he gave me a high five."There's an easy explanation. The guy high-fiving Christensen was his older brother, Chad."He's my brother," Chad said. "I want him to do well."Barring both teams making it to the state tournament and being paired together, this sibling-against-sibling thing comes to an end tonight when Washington hosts Kennedy in a 5 p.m. doubleheader.The boys - Chad's a senior and Austin a sophomore - squared off on the basketball floor a couple of times last winter, but baseball is their biggest passion. They were both all-staters a year ago - Chad a right-handed hitting shortstop, Austin a lefty outfielder. They've met on the diamond three times, but this is it. Two more games."It's been a lot of fun," Chad Christensen said. "We've kind of been talking about it this week ... We've enjoyed it.""Really exciting," Austin said. "It's been kind of weird playing against my older brother. I'm so used to playing with him ... I remember the first time. I was so used to being in the field behind him."There's nothing sinister about how the Christensens ended up at different schools.The family lived on the northeast side of Cedar Rapids and Chad attended Franklin Middle School. They moved to the Linn-Mar district, but Chad wanted to remain with his friends and chose to attend Washington.Another move took the boys close to Kennedy, and that's where it was decided Austin would go. Another brother, 9-year-old Drew, has a few years before his high school plans have to be finalized."It's a unique thing because a lot of brothers play at the same school, obviously," said Washington Coach Byron Schlotterback. "But I'm sure (Kennedy) Coach (Bret) Hoyer would agree with me. We're both awfully glad to have one of them.""As long as they continue to keep things in perspective," Hoyer said. "It's a fun game. And he's your brother."Dick and Tracy Christensen are divorced but support all three of their boys. They'll be at Washington tonight - dressed in neutral colors, of course."I think last year I stood behind home plate, which is as neutral as you can get," Dick Christensen said. "It's been interesting, but you've just got to enjoy it. Sometimes you do wish they played on the same team.""Our parents balance it well," Chad said. "You've got Drew in the mix now, too. If it's a big game, they'll be there. We understand they can't be everywhere."The boys hope they can be teammates at some point. Chad is headed to the University of Nebraska next year and would like nothing better than having his brother join him."I guess we'll see," Austin said. "I really like Nebraska, and I think it'd be neat to play with Chad and not against him."