Redhawks' Iago helps family of slain former teammate

The recent tragedy in Oklahoma that saw Australian baseball player Christopher Lane shot and killed while out for a run hit especially close to home for three incoming Southeast Missouri State baseball players.

Junior college transfers Tyler Iago, Ryan Lenaburg and Greg Mosel all played with Lane during the 2012 season at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Okla.

Iago is among the many raising awareness for Lane's story as well as spearheading a successful fundraiser to raise money for Lane's family.

"Chris was my catcher for every game but one during my second year at Redlands. He was there for me my first year to help me through an injury so that's when I really got to know him," Iago said in a release. "Our teammate Marshall Veal and I wanted to do anything we could to help so we talked with his family and estimated the cost to fly his body home and help pay for the funeral at about $15,000."

The GoFundMe fundraising campaign started by Iago and Veal had raised just under $170,000 at last report. Since the outpouring of support has been so great, Lane's family has decided to use the money to set up a foundation in his name.

Donations can be made at GoFundMe.com. All proceeds from the fundraiser go directly to the Lane family.

Gymnastics

Southeast gymnastics coach Kristi Ewasko rounded out her coaching staff with the hiring of Jake Zenker.

Zenker will coach the Redhawks' uneven bars competitors, help choreograph floor routines and plan travel arrangements.

Zenker was manager for perennial national Penn State, which finished the 2013 season No. 15 in the country. He helped run home competitions, tracked individual gymnast assignments, assisted with floor and beam choreography and handled travel arrangements.

As a competitor, Zenker was a member of the Penn State club gymnastics team, serving as the squad's co-captain. The club team won a national title in 2010 and finished as national runner-up in 2011 and 2012.