Three Southeast Missouri State University athletes were recently recognized at the university's annual scholar-athlete reception.

Jared Siemers took home the Jewel Award for the male athlete with the highest grade-point average. Emma Garrett and Margaret O'Neal took home the Trombetta Award, which recognizes the female athlete with the highest grade-point average.

Siemers was a member of the track and field team. With a 3.81 GPA majoring in exercise science, Siemers plans to continue his education with a graduate degree in health administration. His goal is to work in a hospital or fitness facility.

Garrett and O'Neal, members of the gymnastics team, each achieved a 4.0 grade-point average.

Garrett, a dietetics major, has sights on becoming a registered dietitian and working with athletes.

O'Neal majored in pre-medicine and would like to work in emergency medicine.

It's not easy to achieve success in the classroom while competing athletically. But these three Redhawks did so and are poised for bright futures.

Also impressive is the overall academic success of Southeast athletes. At the reception, 199 student-athletes were recognized for achieving a 3.0 or better GPA this year. Marty Mishow noted in his recent story that this represents 63.7 percent of all Southeast Missouri State athletes.

Congratulations to all the students. You're winning beyond sports, and that's something worth cheering.