SEMO Roundup: Redhawks will host their lone indoor track and field meet today

The Southeast Missouri State track and field program will have its only home meet of the indoor season today, the annual Redhawks Invitational.

Action at the Student Recreation Center will begin at 4 p.m. with field events. Running events start at 6:30.

Joining Southeast in the field will be Memphis, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Belmont, Mississippi College, Rust College and Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State.

At last year's Redhawks Invitational, Southeast claimed 11 of the 27 individual titles.

Among Southeast's competitors today will be two athletes who earlier this week received OVC honors.

Junior Josh Uchtman was named male field athlete of the week for the third time after breaking the school shot put record during a meet at Indiana. His toss of 60 feet, 8 inches ranks 15th nationally.

Senior Ashley Brewer was named female field athlete of the week after placing sixth in the weight throw and seventh in the shot put at Indiana.

Today's competition will be Southeast's final tuneup before next weekend's OVC indoor meet in Nashville, Tenn.

Klocke nets honor

Southeast senior catcher Jim Klocke has been chosen as one of 30 nominees for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. The award winner will be announced at the College World Series in June.

The award, which stands for "Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School," focuses on the complete student-athlete on and off the field. Each candidate was chosen based on four criteria: classroom, character, community and competition.

Among the 30 nominees, Klocke was one of only 12 who has earned over a cumulative 3.5 GPA. He has garnered numerous awards in his career at Southeast, including Louisville Slugger All-American honors twice and Academic All-American.

Southeast's baseball team opens the season today at Auburn.

OVC softball awards

Two Southeast softball players received OVC honors for their performances during last week's first three games of the season.

Sophomore Renee Kertz was named co-player of the week after she batted .750 (6-for-8) with a double, two walks, four RBIs and two runs scored. She recorded a .875 slugging percentage and a .800 on base percentage.

Junior Whitney Dupuis was named co-pitcher of the week after appearing in all three contests covering 10 innings, including a complete-game win.

Southeast (2-1) returns to action this weekend at the Blues City Classic in Memphis, Tenn. The Redhawks play two games both today and Saturday.

Gymnast of the week

Southeast freshman gymnast Jordan Salsberg is the Midwest Independent Conference specialist of the week.

Salsberg was first on vault and bars during Saturday's win over BYU that kept the Redhawks unbeaten at 7-0.

Southeast has a meet at Denver tonight, followed by a Saturday meet at Air Force.

-- From staff reports