Marshalltown native Jeff Clement is picking up a pair of awards this week. Clement was given the “Johnny Bench Award” Wednesday as the nation’s best catcher in the nation. He’s the first U-S-C catcher to win the honor. Clement hit 46 homes runs at U-S-C and led the team to the super regional finals of the NCAA tourney. Clement will also have his jersey retired at Marshalltown High School where he led them to a state championship in 2002 and set the national high school record for home runs. Clement was the third pick in this month’s Major League Baseball draft. He is trying to wrap up contract negotiations with the Seattle Mariners.
