OVC honors honors pair of Redhawks

Southeast Missouri State senior Brian Knippen earned the Ohio Valley Conference Field Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week, and Nichole Portell gained the first weekly honor of her career.

Knippen, who won last week for the first time in his career, won the shot put at the Jace Lacoste Invitational at Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss. He posted a throw of 58 feet, 2.5 inches, which is the best mark in the OVC this season. Knippen also was second in the discus at 163-8, also best in the OVC this year.

Portell, a sophomore from Crystal City, Mo., finished second in the shot put at the invitational with a mark of 43-5.75. She was seventh in the discus with a toss of 117-7. She shared athlete of the week honors with Adrianne Leschewski of Eastern Illinois.

Southeast competes today at the Central Collegiate Championships in Champaign, Ill. The University of Illinois is hosting the 15-team meet.