Ladies and gentlemen, as some of you know, and others are about to find out, this is my first year as sports editor for The Chart. One day, I was talking to T.R. Hanrahan and he told me about a tradition that the sports page used to have. It is called the LePage-Smith Awards; it is named for two former Chart sports editors. I have decided to reinstate these awards. So, without further introduction and no more ado, I present to you the 2006-2007 LePage-Smith Awards.

Lion Team of the Year- This category ends in a tie… sort of. The men’s indoor track and cross country teams both had solid seasons. The cross-country team won the MIAA and went to nationals placing 18th. The men’s indoor track team also won the MIAA tournament. I think that head coach Tom Rutledge said it best “You don’t have flukes with six titles in seven years. Nothing is a fluke that lasts that long.”

Lady Lion Team of the Year- The women’s soccer team led by head coach Trevor Wachsman had a history making season with an amazing run into the national tournament. The best news is that next fall they return an offense spearheaded by MIAA freshman of the year Nikki Llewellyn and a defense anchored by MIAA MVP goalkeeper Kaney Tyler next year looks promising too.

Lion Athlete of the Year- NFL Draft hopeful Allen Barbre wins this award outright. Barbre was the ONLY player to be a unanimous pick for first team All-MIAA and that includes that Germaine Race character from down the road at Pittsburg State. I’m going out on a limb; I believe that Barbre could become the first Southern athlete to go on day one of the NFL Draft tomorrow.

Lady Lion Athlete of the Year- Jessica Selby is, for lack of a better term, on a tear. She took second at nationals in the shot put and has already qualified for nationals in outdoor. I said this at the inaugural Coaches vs. Coaches basketball game put on by the Student Athlete Advisory Council, and I am going to say it again. “As if she doesn’t win enough already.”

Southern Coach of the Year- Men’s track coach Tom Rutledge won MIAA and Regional coach of the year honors. And whereas the men’s track and cross country teams are my men’s team of the year… I can’t think why I should disagree.

Deonte Cox signs with Drury

Former Missouri Southern forward Deonte Cox signed on to play at Drury University for the rest of his career.

Cox came into the office on Wednesday and passed on the word that he would be playing at Drury next year.

“I called them to tell them that I was leaving (Southern) and asked if I could work out with them,” Cox said. “I worked out with them and they said that I was what they were looking for as far as an inside presence, so they signed me.”

Drury was one of the schools on Cox’s radar last summer before he transferred to Southern.

“I want to thank Coach Corn for giving me the chance to play here this season” Cox said.

Drury is located in Springfield.