Minnesota Scene: Diggins named to 2014-15 U.S. cross-country ski team

Jessie Diggins of Afton was named Tuesday to the U.S. cross-country ski team for the 2014-15 season.

Diggins, a 2014 Olympian, is among five women selected for the A team. Ben Saxton, a two-time state high school Nordic champion at Lakeville North High School, was named to the U.S. development team.

Fencer Susie Scanlan of St. Paul is among five athletes to share the C. Otto von Kienbusch Award, given to the top senior women athletes at Princeton University.

Scanlan won a bronze medal in team epee at the 2012 London Olympics. During her career with the Tigers, she finished second in women's epee at the 2013 NCAA championships, was a four-time all-America selection and twice earned first-team all-Ivy League honors.

Tom Smith, Tom Whaley and Dale Jones shot even-par 72s to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Minnesota Senior Open at Hastings Country Club.

Only three shots separated the top 18 players. John Harris shot a 73 and was tied for second place, and two-time defending champion Don Berry shot a 74.

The final round begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Joey Becker led off the game with a home run, and the Saints scored four times in the fourth inning.

Taylor Ledwein (73) and McKenzie Neisen (74) of New Prague and Hailee Pieper (74) of Watertown, S.D., took the three spots in sectional qualifying for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship at Braemar Golf Course in Edina.