Area digest 6/17/03

Street &Smith's picks Southeast football first

The Street & Smith's College Football National Preview has picked Southeast Missouri State University to win the Ohio Valley Conference football title for the first time ever.

Southeast was picked ahead of Tennessee Tech, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, Jacksonville State, Eastern Illinois, Tennessee State, Samford and Tennessee-Martin.

The Indians, 8-4 last season, return nine starters on both offense and defense. One of those, record-setting quarterback Jack Tomco, was picked by Street & Smith's as the top offensive player in the OVC.

"It's great to be recognized nationally as having the potential for a good football team, but we have to prove it on the field," Southeast coach Tim Billings said.

Alvarez on another All-American team

Southeast Missouri State University pitcher Tim Alvarez made his third All-American squad in as many chances Monday when Collegiate Baseball Insider selected the left-hander for its second team.

Alvarez already was selected for the Collegiate Baseball Magazine and National Collegiate Baseball Writer's Association third teams. There are two All-American teams left to be announced.

Alvarez was 14-3 this season, setting a school record for wins and tying the Ohio Valley Conference mark. He threw the first-ever no-hitter in the OVC Tournament and recently was drafted in the 36th round by the San Francisco Giants.

Advance's Griffin 12th at national rodeo finals

Curtis Griffin of Advance finished 12th in the bull riding competition at the College National Finals Rodeo in Jasper, Wyo., last week.

Griffin, who just finished his sophomore year at the University of Tennessee-Martin, was the top finisher of the five Skyhawks who competed in the rodeo. Griffin competed in the steer wrestling competition as well, finishing 34th overall.

-- From staff reports