MSSU offering new online ticketing interface for 2018-2019

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern Athletics is rolling out a new online ticketing interface for the 2018-2019 season. In partnership with University Tickets, MSSU Athletics' new online ticketing system will make buying tickets easier, and will help simplify game day for Lions fans young and old.

"We could not be happier with the new website," said Daniel Crawford, Ticketing Operations Manager at Missouri Southern. "This platform is much more intuitive and is very easy to use. Any Lions fans looking to skip the box office line at football or basketball games will be able to purchase tickets in just a few clicks, right from their phone."

Football single game and season tickets are available for purchase now at www.mssulions.com/tickets. Basketball tickets will be available on July 15th and will be discounted from $15 to $10 when purchased online during the 2018-2019 season! For more information email tickets@mssu.edu or call 417-625-9820.

MSSU's Heckemeyer named first team Academic All-American

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern senior track and field student-athlete Allie Heckemeyer has been named a Google Cloud/CoSIDA first-team Academic All-American, the organization announced today.

To be selected for the award, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore in academic standing, as well as not being a first-year transfer to the institution. Student-athletes must also maintain a minimum of a 3.30 GPA, as well as participate in at least 50 percent of their team's competitions. The award is voted on by sports information professionals throughout Division II. Heckemeryer was a first-team All-District selection earlier in the month.

This year, Heckemeyer was named the MIAA's Ken B. Jones winner, an award that goes to the top male and female student-athletes in the league, encompassing not just athletics, but academics and community service, as well. She also won the MSSU E.O. and Virginia Humphrey award which goes to the top student-athlete at MSSU and was a winner of the MSSU Glen Dollence Award for leadership given to graduating seniors at MSSU. She graduated in May with a 4.00 GPA in kinesiology.

She is also a two-time NCAA Elite 90 Award winner, which goes to the top GPA in the gender at the NCAA Championships site. Heckemeyer is the school record holder in the indoor and outdoor triple jump, as well as the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon and was All-MIAA this year in four different events. She was the MIAA Champion in the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon. Heckemeyer earned All-American honors this year in the indoor pentathlon, outdoor heptathlon and both the indoor and outdoor triple jumps.

She was a team captain, a member of Catholics on Campus, Delta Kappa and Alpha Chi honor society and K-Club.

Heckemeyer is one of three MIAA student-athletes to be named Academic All-American, all three earning first-team honors.

Twenty-four Crowder athletes receive national honors for academic achievement

(From Crowder College)

Crowder College had twenty-four student-athletes awarded National Junior College Athletic Association honors for their academic achievement. This is a record number of individuals for Crowder Athletics in a single year.

To earn this status a student-athlete must have a grade point average of 3.60 or higher and have completed 24 or more credit hours. There are three levels of academic honors based on gpa as follows:

NJCAA All-Academic First Team: 4.0 gpa; Second Team: 3.80-3.99 gpa; ThirdTeam: 3.60-3.79 gpa

Carthage senior Holden Stewart places at national archery tournament, Carthage High School team finishes seventh

(From the Missouri Department of Conservation)

Missouri students took first and second place on the world archery stage at the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) World Tournament and 3D Challenge June 7-9 in Louisville, KY. More than 5,000 student archers in grades 4-12 from more than 200 schools in two countries participated, including 129 Missouri students.

Sophomore Kamryn Twehus from Blair Oaks High School dominated the NASP World Tournament by taking first in the high school girls division and being the overall individual champion of the tournament. Twehus shot a score of 299 out of 300.

Sophomore Donald Holupka from Hillsboro High School wasn’t far behind. Holupka took first place in the high school boys division and took second place overall in the NASP World Tournament. He shot a 298 out of 300.

“Missouri was once again well represented on the podium at the World NASP tournaments,” MDC MoNASP Coordinator Eric Edwards said. “MoNASP has been able to provide an opportunity to thousands of kids to participate in the sport of archery, including competing at a national and international level, which is something we never thought about a few years ago. Congratulations to all the student archers on a job well done!”

Senior Holden Stewart from Carthage High School was among the top 10 archers and took sixth place in the high school boys division with a score of 295 out of 300. The Carthage High School team took seventh place in the high school division with a combined score of 3,404.

Missouri student archers participated through the Missouri National Archery in the Schools Program (MoNASP), which is coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in partnership with numerous schools and supporting organizations throughout the state. MoNASP is an affiliate of NASP, and promotes education, self-esteem, and physical activity for more than 185,000 Missouri students from 670 schools in grades 4-12 through participation in the sport of archery.

To see all tournament scores, visit: http://bit.ly/2v59thH. Learn more about MoNASP at http://on.mo.gov/2mCPWg4.

Hammons Field reaches finals for best Double-A ballpark, Springfield mayor encourages citizens to vote

(From the City of Springfield)

Hammons Field has made it through four rounds of voting and is now in the finals in a contest by Ballpark Digest to name the Best Double-A Ballpark in baseball. 

Mayor Ken McClure encourages citizens to vote as soon as possible because the contest ends Tuesday, June 19. Visit www.SpringfieldCardinals.com to access the link to vote.

MSSU Athletic Department finishes 55th in Learfield Directors' Cup

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Cleveland, Ohio -- The Missouri Southern Athletic Department finished 55th in the final Learfield Directors' Cup as the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced the final standings today.

Southern was one of nine MIAA schools to finish in the top 100 of the standings and 12 MIAA schools in total finished with points this year. Schools earn points based on NCAA postseason finishes. A total of 308 schools participate in Division II and 268 schools received points.

The Lions picked up points from men's and women's outdoor track in the spring, while men's basketball and men's and women's indoor track picked up points in the winter. Men's cross country earned points for the Lions in the fall.

Central Missouri was the top MIAA team witha 19th-place finish as the MIAA topped Division II with schools in the top 100. Central Oklahoma finished 34th, followed by Lindenwood (37th), Fort Hays State (39th), Pittsburg State (40th), Southern (55th), Lincoln (67th), Nebraska-Kearney (87th), Northeastern State (99th), Missouri Western (102nd), Emporia State (118th), Southwest Baptist (126th), Wasbhurn (151st) and Northwest Missouri (190th).

The complete standings are above in the story links.

One hundred forty-three MSSU student athletes named to MIAA Academic Honor Roll

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern Athletic Department had 143 student-athletes named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, as well as seven other individuals receive individual honors for either being part of the Scholar-Athlete Team or earning the Academic Excellence Award as the MIAA announced its final academic awards of the year.

The MIAA previously announced the Academic Excellence awards for those individuals with two or more semesters of attendance last week and this week announces the award winners for those that were freshmen or newcomers to the team. The Academic Excellence Award goes to student-athletes that maintain a cumulative 4.00 GPA at their respective institution.

Earning the award for the Lions were: Matt Griffon (football), Abby Atkin (softball), Rion Boyd (softball), Janelle Brehm (volleyball), Carina Calderon (soccer), Jordan Banker (women's track and field) and Elena Bisotto (women's track and field).

Bisotto also earned the MIAA Scholar-Athlete award that goes to individuals that maintain a cumulative 3.50 GPA or higher and earn All-MIAA status during the competition year.

The Academic Honor Roll is awarded to those student-athletes that maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA during their competition season.

Of the 143 student-athletes earn Academic Honor Roll, the women's track and field team led the way with 27 student-athletes to pick up honors. Football had 22, followed by baseball with 19, men's track and field (16), volleyball and soccer (15), softball (12), women's basketball and golf (nine) and men's basketball with three.

The complete list of the Academic Honor Roll can be found here by clicking on the link or above in the story links.

Seven MSSU athletes receive MIAA Spring Academic Awards

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

The Missouri Southern athletic department had seven Academic Excellence and Scholar-Athlete award winners as the MIAA Announced its Spring Academic Awards last week.

The Academic Excellence Awards goes to students that maintain a cumulative 4.0 GPA or better and the student-athletes must also have at least two terms of attendance. Earning the award for the spring semester were: Ryan Drendel (men's track and field), Angel Badalementi (softball), Abi Corbett (softball), Taurean Guzman(softball), Allie Heckemeyer (women's track and field), Rachel Ray (women's track and field) and Katie Skelton(women's track and field).

The league also announced its scholar-athlete award which goes to student-athletes that maintain a cumulative 3.5 GPA or better, while also achieing All-MIAA status in their respective sport. Student-athletes also have to have at least two terms of attendance at the school to earn the award.

Earning this honor for the Lions were: Alec Alvarez(baseball), Corbin Osburn (baseball), Matt Willis (men's track and field), Corbett, Erica Lutgen (softball), Heckemeyer and Tristan Haltom (men's golf).

The MIAA will release the list of Freshmen and Newcomers in all sports that achieved Academic Excellence and Scholar-Athlete Awards on Thursday, June 14. The MIAA Academic Honor Roll for all sports and all academic years will also be announced on Thursday, June 14.

MSSU football hires defensive coordinator

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern football coach Denver Johnson has announced the hiring of Joplin native and former Lion Joe Bettasso as the Lions' Defensive Coordinator. Bettasso replaces Kenny Evans who recently accepted the Defensive Coordinator position at Rogers High School.

"I'm thankful for the opportunity that Coach Johnson has given me," Bettasso said. "I'm excited to be back home and I can't wait to get back to Joplin and get going to work."

Bettasso comes to Southern after three seasons at McKendree University where he served as the Bearcats' Defensive Coordinator.

The 2017 Bearcats' defense helped the team to a 7-4 record and was led by Austin Weltha who had 129 total tackles with 12.5 for a loss and five interceptions with two sacks. McKendree ranked second in the GLVC in sacks and led the league in interceptions.

The Bearcats' 2016 defense ranked among the top units in the Great Lakes Valley Conference once again. For the second year in a row, McKendree led the league in scoring defense, allowing a paltry 18.4 points per outing. The Bearcats also had the conference's top overall defensive squad, giving up just 315.7 yards per contest. As a team, McKendree set a new program record with 53 sacks and ranked among NCAA Division II team leaders in the category.

Bettasso guided two of the top defensive players in the GLVC during their final seasons in a Bearcat uniform in 2016. Linebacker A.J. Wentland set a school single-season record for the third consecutive year with 145 tackles and became the Bearcats' career leader in stops with 421. For his efforts, Wentland was named the 2016 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the second McKendree player in three seasons to capture the honor.

The other McKendree GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, defensive end Lucky Baar (who was the 2014 winner) made his assault on both the McKendree and NCAA record books in 2016. In just nine games, Baar registered 17 1/2 sacks and 21 1/2 tackles for loss, which led the Bearcats. With the final sack of his career, Baar became the NCAA Division II career leader in the category, finishing his playing days with 46 1/2 sacks. He also collected 65 1/2 tackles for loss, which is also a new McKendree program mark.

Bettasso came to McKendree after spending three years on the coaching staff at Quincy University. Bettasso joined the Hawks' staff as a defensive backs coach before being elevated to the role of defensive coordinator prior to the 2013 season. He was responsible for all facets of the Quincy defensive scheme, including play-calling. Under his leadership in 2014, the Hawks ranked second in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) in total defense and rushing defense.

Before his time at Quincy, Bettasso spent five seasons at McPherson College in Kansas. From 2007-09, He served the Bulldogs' defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator during that time while also coaching the program's linebackers and defensive backs. Following the 2009 season, Bettasso was promoted to the role of head football coach at McPherson, a position he held for two years before heading to Quincy.

In 2010 - Bettasso's first as the head coach at McPherson - he led the Bulldogs to a school-record 10 victories and the program's highest NAIA national ranking at No. 6. He was named as the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 4 Coach of the Year for his efforts. Bettasso guided McPherson to the school's first KCAC championship since 1952 and the program's second NAIA Football Championship Series berth. Ironically, McPherson hosted McKendree in a first-round playoff game that year, with the Bearcats posting a 38-14 win in the meeting. That game marked the Bearcats' final post-season football victory as members of the NAIA. It was also the 200th collegiate coaching win for former McKendree head coach Carl Poelker.

Bettasso began his coaching career as a student assistant and later a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, Missouri Southern State University. Bettasso was also a four-year letterman as a defensive back with the Lions. He paced Missouri Southern with 8 tackles for loss as a junior in 2004 and followed that with a team-leading two fumble recoveries during his senior season of 2005.

"I'm very excited to have Joe join our staff," Johnson said. "First and foremost, he is an outstanding coach and a great human being. I believe Joe will capitalize on the progress we've made over the past few months, add his flavor to our defense and lead those guys with great passion. It was important to me to find a guy who loved football and not only understood the true challenge that is the MIAA, but was excited to meet that challenge.

"The fact he is a Joplin native and an MSSU grad is a bonus. He truly loves his alma mater and is fully in tune with the process we are committed to in building our program. I couldn't have found a better fit. I'm anxious for our players to meet Joe and I think they'll be just as excited to meet him."

Cardinal Hall-of-Famer Red Schoenienst dead at 95

(From the St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals organization, the St. Louis community and baseball fans everywhere were saddened this evening to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Albert Fred "Red" Schoendienst at the age of 95. Schoendienst, who is survived by his four children -- Colleen, Cathleen, Eileen and Kevin -- eight living grandchildren (he had 10 total grandchildren) and seven great grandchildren, was the oldest living member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

"Red was one of the greatest Cardinals of all time, and a beloved member of the Cardinals organization for over six decades," said Cardinals Principal Owner & Chief Executive Officer William O. DeWitt, Jr. "His influence on this organization cannot be overstated. Red was a great player, a great manager, and a wonderful mentor to countless players, coaches, and members of the front office. He was also a fan favorite who connected with millions of Cardinals fans across multiple generations. He will be sorely missed."

The Schoendienst family provided the following statement: "Red Schoendienst has passed away today surrounded by his family. He had a life full of happiness for 95 years. He inspired all that knew him to always do their best. Red was a great ball player, but his legacy is that of a great gentleman who had respect for all. He loved his family, friends, teammates, the community and his country. He will be greatly missed."

Schoendienst, who was serving as a Senior Special Assistant for the Cardinals, entered his 67th season with the Cardinals and 76th in professional baseball in 2018. The Germantown, Illinois native was part of the Cardinals as a player (1945-56, 1961-63), coach (1964, 1979-95), manager (1965-76) and interim manager (1980, 1990) and had been in his current executive role with the team since 1996.

It all started in 1945, when the switch-hitting Schoendienst joined the club to fill in for left fielder Stan Musial, who was serving in the U.S. Navy. Schoendienst batted .278 with 47 RBI and a National League-leading 26 stolen bases. The following year, Musial returned to the Cardinals, and Schoendienst moved to third base and then shortstop before settling in at second base. St. Louis won the World Series over the Boston Red Sox as Schoendienst began to develop into one of the best hitting and fielding second basemen of all time.

In 1953, Schoendienst put together his finest season. He established career highs with a .342 batting average - second in the league to Carl Furillo of the Brooklyn Dodgers (.344), 15 home runs and 79 RBI. In a surprising trade, Schoendienst was dealt to the New York Giants along with outfielder Jackie Brandt, pitcher Dick Littlefield, catcher Bill Sarni and shortstop Bobby Stephenson in exchange for shortstop Alvin Dark, catcher Ray Katt, pitcher Don Liddle and outfielder Whitey Lockman on June 14, 1956.

The following year, Schoendienst was traded to the Milwaukee Braves, who won the 1957 World Series and the 1958 N.L. pennant. He subsequently returned to St. Louis in 1961. On the Cardinals' career lists, Schoendienst ranks fourth in at-bats (6,841) and pinch-hits (54), fifth in games played (1,795), sixth in runs (1,025) and hits (1,980), seventh in doubles (352), and eighth in total bases (2,657).

Schoendienst served as a coach on the 1964 World Championship team and was named manager when Johnny Keane resigned at the conclusion of the season. Schoendienst piloted St. Louis to a World Series victory over the Red Sox in 1967 and another N.L. pennant in 1968 in route to a 12-year tenure as skipper, the longest in franchise history until Tony La Russa surpassed him in 2008. Schoendienst ranks second in franchise annals with 1,041 wins.

Schoendienst was the second baseman on the Cardinals' 1946 World Championship team, and he piloted the Redbirds to a World Series victory over the Boston Red Sox in 1967 and another National League pennant in 1968. He served as a coach on the Cardinals' 1964 and 1982 World Championship squads.

A 10-time N.L. All-Star, Schoendienst socked a game-winning home run in the 14th inning of the 1950 Mid-Summer Classic. It marked the switch-hitter's first career homer batting right-handed. Schoendienst later managed the Senior Circuit to All-Star Game victories in 1968 and 1969. Schoendienst amassed 2,449 career hits, including a league-leading 200 in 1957. He either led or tied for the N.L. lead in fielding percentage seven times.

Schoendienst was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 by the Veterans Committee and was an inaugural member of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014. His uniform No. 2 was retired by the Cardinals in 1996. He was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

The 2015 season marked Schoendienst's 70th in Major League Baseball, and the Cardinals honored the milestone with a season-long celebration that encouraged fans to demonstrate their affection for him via social media using the hashtag #LoveRed2.

Schoendienst (born February 2, 1923) coached for the Oakland A's in 1977 and 1978. He was married to the late Mary Eileen O'Reilly Schoendienst for 53 years. Mrs. Schoendienst passed away in December of 1999.

MSSU's Abi Corbett named to Academic All-American first team

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern senior outfielder Abi Corbett secures spot on the Google Cloud Academic All-American first team after being selected by the
College Sports Information Director of the America (CoSIDA) for the second year in a row.

Corbett majored in marketing and produced a 4.0 GPA, earning first-team All-District honors earlier in the spring on her way to All-American status.

The Wentzville product competed in all 52 games and recorded 71 hits for first in the MIAA and fourth in the entire Division II softball landscape while also leading the conference in stolen bases (35) toward an All-MIAA first-team selection.

On top of grabbing those numbers, the veteran capped off her career first in at-bats (741), hits (270), and stolen bases (107), to go along with a second place showing in games played (216) and runs scored (138) to ink herself into the MSSU softball record books.

Twenty-two of the 33 members of the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America Division II Softball teams have at least a 3.90 G.P.A., with 12 student-athletes maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA. The 11 members of the first team have an average GPA of 3.93.

FIRST TEAM
Pos. Name School Yr. GPA Major
P Jamie Fisher Northern State University Jr. 4.00 Elementary Education
P Valerie Hohol University of Minnesota Duluth Sr. 4.00 Chemical Engineering
C Mariah Jameyson Texas A&M University-Commerce Sr. 3.77 Kinesiology & Sport Studies
INF Bethany Allen Henderson State University Sr. 4.00 Recreation / Sports Management
INF Megan Durante Tarleton State University Sr. 3.90 Kinesiology
INF Hannah Thieroff California Baptist University Jr. 3.73 Criminal Justice
INF Alyssa Williamson (3)Merrimack College Sr. 3.90 Psychology
OF Abi Corbett (2) Missouri Southern State University Sr. 4.00 Marketing
OF Riley Curtis Urbana University Sr. 4.00 Pre-Med / Physical Therapy
OF Brooke Hodgson Colorado Mesa University Sr. 3.39 Kinesiology / K-12 Education
DP Hannah Coursey (3) Georgia College Sr. 4.00 Accounting

SECOND TEAM
Pos. Name School Yr. GPA Major
P Allie Grys Grand Valley State University Sr. 3.91 Clinical Exercise Science
P Mallory Teunissen Davenport University Jr. 3.92 Human Resource Management
C Jessica Brown Cal State San Bernardino Sr. 3.80 Kinesiology
INF Kylie Asmus Ashland University Jr. 4.00 Exercise Science
INF Clara Larson Colorado School of Mines So. 3.69 Electrical Engineering
INF Brenna Martini (1,#) Adelphi University Sr. 3.83 Physical Education
INF Hazel Puempel Texas Woman's University So. 4.00 Business Administration
INF Destiny Riddle Southeastern Oklahoma State University Jr. 4.00 Psychology
OF Holland Coursey Georgia College Sr. 3.94 Accounting
OF Christa Reisinger (3) Truman State University Jr. 3.70 Agricultural Science
OF Whitney Weber University of Colorado Colorado Springs Sr. 3.95 Criminal Justice
DP Alyssa Carney Washburn University Sr. 4.00 Kinesiology

THIRD TEAM
Pos. Name School Yr. GPA Major
P Alexis Eastman Le Moyne College Sr. 3.71 Accounting
P McKenzie Surface Colorado Mesa University Jr. 3.89 Psychology
C Katelyn Wobken Wayne State College Sr. 3.92 Chemistry / Health Science
INF Sara Ercolani (3) West Chester University Sr. 3.93 Math / Actuarial Science
INF Mariah Ewy East Central University Jr. 4.00 Biology
INF Becky Smith University of Minnesota Duluth Sr. 3.72 Environmental Science
OF Jessica Boone Northeastern State University Sr. 3.99 Elementary Education
OF Abbey Fortin LIU Post So. 3.92 Criminal Justice
OF Delaney Hiegert Newman University Sr. 4.00 Communication
DP Marley Parker Saint Augustine's University Sr. 3.87 Exercise Science

Google Cloud Academic All-America of the Year: Mariah Jameyson, Texas A&M University-Commerce

MSSU hires assistant women's basketball coach

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern women's basketball coach Ronnie Ressel has announced the addition of Chamissa Anderson as a new assistant coach and head JV coach for the Lions.

"We are extremely excited to add coach Anderson to our staff," Ressel said. "She had been at KCK the last three years as an assistant coach working for coach McKinstry and was a part of KCK's 2016 National Championship team. Coach Anderson is a high-energy coach with a great work ethic and a passion to help young ladies be successful."

Anderson comes to Southern after three years with the Lady Blue Devil Women's Basketball Team at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Anderson assisted with recruiting, video coordination, individual workouts, practice and game preparation and monitoring study halls.
In 2017-18, KCKCC was ranked in the top 20 during the season with a 21-11 record and a team that included 14 freshmen on the roster. Freshman Lillie Moore was named All-Conference and All-Region. The team included five Lady Blue Devils ranked in the top five in the region in various different offensive categories.

In 2016-17, The Lady Blue Devils ranked top-20 in five of the twelve regular season polls. Despite the loss of four starters and 80 percent of the offense and rebounding from the national championship team, the Blue Devils finished 19-13 while competing in arguably the most competitive conference in the nation. Two Blue Devils, Brooklyn Wagler and Brie Tauai, were named to the NJCAA second All-Region VI team.

In 2015-2016 the Lady Blue Devils reached 33 wins for only the 2nd time in program history. The team's 33rd win was a 81-59 win over Illinois Central to win the 2016 NJCAA Division II National Championship; first time ever in school history. The team won every National tournament game by a margin of 19 points per game. The Blue Devils were led by All-American and National Tournament MVP Cheyenne North and All-Tournament selections Erin Anderson and Brooklyn Wagler.

For two seasons (16-17 & 17-18), Anderson has also helped coach the Next Level Eclipse AAU basketball team in the Kansas City area.

Anderson finished her collegiate career at Trinity International University. As a two-year starter for the Lady Trojans she averaged double figures in both scoring and rebounding and was ranked 24th in total rebounds in NAIA Division II in her senior season in 2010-2011. She graduated with a BA in Sports and Wellness Management in 2011, she continued at Trinity as volunteer assistant coach. Prior to TIU, Anderson played one year of collegiate basketball at Siena Heights University before transferring to Ellsworth Community College in 2009. While at Ellsworth, she set a single game record for rebounding and is listed in the Top five rebounders in a single season in Ellsworth history.

In addition, her coaching experience includes two years as head junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Chicagoland Jewish High School and coaching AAU basketball for Full Package/All In Athletics in the Chicagoland area.

"I'm extremely excited to work with the staff here at Missouri Southern," Anderson said. "This is a great opportunity and I can't wait to get to impact another women's basketball program and I'm ready to get back on the court. This is one of the premier Division II conferences in America and it'll be great to compete with some of the best women's basketball programs in the country."

Cardinals select third baseman as top draft choice

(From the St. Louis Cardinals)

The St. Louis Cardinals, armed with three selections during the first night of the 2018 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, selected a high school infielder, college pitcher, and college first baseman.

St. Louis selected third baseman Nolan Gorman out of Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Phoenix, Ariz., with the 19th overall pick in the opening round. The Cardinals selected right-handed pitcher Griffin Roberts with Competitive Balance Round A pick (43rd overall). Due to the offseason signing of Lance Lynn, St. Louis was awarded a Second Round Compensatory pick (75th overall) and selected first baseman Luken Baker as the club’s final pick of the night.

Gorman, 18, stands 6-foot-1, 210 lbs. and hails from Phoenix, Ariz. The left handed-hitting third baseman batted .419 (116-for-277) with 32 home runs, 118 RBI and 115 runs scored in his high school career. As a senior, he helped lead the Eagles to their first 6A State Championship, hitting .421 with 10 home runs, 46 walks, a .640 on-base percentage and .896 slugging percentage in 32 games. Gorman was showcased on all-star teams and for USA Baseball last summer, and won multiple home run derbies, including the 2017 MLB High School Home Run Derby during All-Star Week in Miami. He also took part in home run hitting contests at Wrigley Field and Petco Park. Gorman is good friends with left-handed pitcher Matthew Liberatore, who was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 16th overall selection earlier in the night. Both players committed to the University of Arizona.

Roberts, 21, the Cardinals Competitive Balance Round A selection out of Wake Forest University, is a 6-foot-3, 210 lb. right-handed pitcher, who broke the Demon Deacons’ career (12.39 K/9 IP) and single-season (13.50 K/9 IP in 2017) records for strikeouts per nine innings.

Baker, 21, the Cardinals Second Round Compensatory Pick out of Texas Christian University, is a 6-foot-4, 265 lb. first baseman who hit .347 (181-for-572) with 28 home runs and 129 RBI in 145 career games for the Horned Frogs. A prolific home run hitter, Baker hit a home run every 12.6 at-bats his junior year and once every 18 at-bats in 145 games throughout his college career. He reached base safely in 134 of his 145 career games.

Rounds 3-10 of the 2018 draft will be held today, beginning at 12:05 p.m. CDT. St. Louis has the 17th pick in the third round (95th overall), then the 19th pick in each of the following rounds.

MSSU's Allie Heckemeyer named MIAA top female student-athlete

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

Missouri Southern senior track and field student-athlete Allie Heckemeyer has been named the MIAA Ken B. Jones Award winner as the top female student-athlete in the MIAA the league announced tonight at its Awards Celebration.

Heckemeyer is the third Lion to win the award in its history, joining Shally Lundien (1994-95) and Matt Meyr (2000-01).

Heckemeyer was not the only Lion getting attention tonight as former football player Richard Jordan was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame.

The Ken B. Jones Award goes annually to the league's top male and female student-athlete. Finalists were selected from a field of 12 male nominations and 11 female nominations at various MIAA member schools. A committee of 15 administrators in the MIAA and conference office ranked each nominee to determine the finalist.

Heckemeyer was this year's E.O. and Virginia Humphrey Award winner as the top student-athlete at MSSU. She was a Glen Dolence Award Winner, given for leadership by Missouri Southern. She is also a two-time NCAA Elite 90 Award winner, which goes to the top GPA in the gender at the NCAA Championships site. Heckemeyer is the school record holder in the indoor and outdoor triple jump, as well as the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon and was All-MIAA this year in four different events. She was the MIAA Champion in the indoor pentathlon and outdoor heptathlon.

Heckemeyer finished third in the heptathlon and sixth in the long jump this year at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, earning All-America honors in each event.

She is a team captain, a member of Catholics on Campus, Delta Kappa and Alpha Chi honor society and K-club and earned a 4.00 GPA in Kinesiology, graduating Suma Cum Laude.

Jordan was a four-year letter winner and a three-year All-American with the football Lions in 1993-96. He earned All-Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association honors all four years with the Lions, including first-team accolades over his final three seasons. Jordan shared MIAA Defensive Most Valuable Player honors in 1995 and won it outright in 1996. Later in 96, Jordan was named the defensive MVP of the Snow Bowl, an NCAA Division II all-star game now known as the Cactus Bowl.

The three-time first-team all-region selection was later chosen by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the NFL draft. Jordan, a special teams standout and reserve linebacker, won the Detroit franchise s Chuck Hughes Award as the team s most improve player in 1998. Jordan later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs before an injury forced him from the game.

A native of Vian, Okla., he ranks second all-time in MSSU history with 406 career tackles and 20 career sacks. His 136 tackles in 1996 led the team and was the fourth-highest single-season total in Southern history. Jordan had eight sacks in 1995, tied for the second-most in club history. His son Richard Jordan, Jr. was part of the 2018 MSSU football signing class.

Jordan joins Sallie Beard, Pat Lipira, Rod Smith, Warren Turner, Tom Rutledge, Jim Frazier, Eddin Saintago and the 1992 Softball Team as inductees into the MIAA Hall of Fame.