Local athletes recognized by newspaper

It's impressive to watch the best of the best. The athletes who stand a little taller, jump a little higher, throw a little harder.

It takes talent, along with hours of practice and dedication to their sports.

Recently the sports reporters announced the All-Southeast Missourian teams and players of the year for fall sports. These are the athletes, as determined by our sports reporters, as the best of the best in our coverage area.

We hope you read the stories. If not, visit semissourian.com to learn more and to check out the great photo galleries.

In addition to the All-Southeast Missourian teams, semoball.com also announced the finalists in fall sports for the Semoball Awards. The Semoball Awards, unlike the All-Southeast Missourian teams, looks at all of Southeast Missouri. Fifty-seven high schools, in fact. The sports editors from the Southeast Missourian, Dexter Statesman, Standard Democrat, Daily Dunklin Democrat and Daily American Republic, along with a broadcaster from SEMO ESPN Radio select the Semoball Awards finalists. It's a daunting challenge as there are hundreds of top athletes to choose from each year. You can read more about the Semoball Awards finalists at semoball.com.

Hats off to all of the excellent student-athletes. It's not easy to play sports and go to school. To do both takes time management, dedication and focus.

We will surely hear much more from several of the great athletes recognized by the All-Southeast Missourian teams and the Semoball Awards.

Congratulations to all of the athletes recognized.