Otahkian softball team honored for high GPA

Southeast Missouri State University's softball team has been honored for having the second-best team grade-point-average in the country, according to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

The Otahkians compiled a GPA of 3.468 for the 2001-2002 school year. They finished second to Detroit Mercy, which had a 3.539 GPA.

"The award is a true testimony to the quality of the student-athletes recruited and the priority placed on academics within the softball program," Southeast coach Lana Richmond said. "The program places an emphasis on the athletes to perform on and off the field."

Southeast's softball team had the nation's third-highest GPA last year.

Kern, Grady win at SEMO Horseshoe event

Rose Kern and Randy Grady won Sunday's event for the SEMO Horseshoe Association at the American Legion in Benton, Mo. Cori Stoverink and Kevin Bartells were second with Larry Burford and Ron LeGrand third.

In Saturday's event at Schindler's Tavern in New Hamburg, Mo., Tyler Elfink and Kory Kluesner won with Doris Stubenrauch and Edgar Stoverink second. Third went to Larry Burford and Cori Stoverink.

Area Punt, Pass and Kick competitors advance

Several competitors advanced from Sunday's NFL Gatorade Punt, Pass and Kick event to next week's sectional round.

Results Sunday in Cape Girardeau: Allison Billmeyer won in the girls' 10-11 group with Mary Dohogne second; Adam James won in boys' 8-9 with James Diveley second and Devan Wolpers third; Andrew Hileman won in boys' 10-11 with Sheymarr Noble second and Judd Potts third; Ryan Willen won in boys' 12-13 with Jake Wolpers second and Taylor Herbst third; and Andy Billmeyer won in boys' 14-15 with Charles Franz second and Matthew Hileman third.

Each age-group winner will compete in Sunday's sectional at Central Junior High School, and the top five there will have their scores compared statewide to determine qualifiers to the championship round in St. Louis.

The annual event is sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Jaycees.

Californian wins national mini sprint event at ATPR

BENTON, Mo. -- Brad Sweet of Grass Valley, Calif., won Saturday's finale of the U.S. Outlaw Mini Sprints' season championship event at Auto Tire and Parts Racepark.

Jeff Harden was second and Dan Van Dyke third.

Larry Hull of Old Appleton, Mo., won the modified event after several lead changes in the final laps. Chris Hall edged Terry Baker for third on the final lap.

Nathan Rettig of Sikeston, Mo., made his first start this season at ATPR and finished with a win in pure street stocks. He led all 15 laps with Kevin Holman second and Dietrich Bollinger third.

Garrett Moll and Wesley Short won the cruiser feature.

-- From staff reports