Nashville High all-state softball outfielder Nicole Deering, a three-year starter who helped the Hornettes win a state championship last spring, has signed with Division I Southeast Missouri State.
Deering earned first-team All-Area, all-conference and All-South honors last spring and was a second-team All-State pick. She hit .450 with a team-leading 63 hits and 25 stolen bases.
"Nicole could be one of the fastest athletes in the Ohio Valley Conference," Southeast Missouri coach Lana Richmond said in a release. "She has excellent range and gets a great read on the ball. A natural lefty, she has a great short game and has control of her power slap which can create mis-matches for any defense."
* Former Gibault High golf standout Steve Souchek, who earned All-America honors at John A. Logan College in Carterville, has signed with Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
"I think we have a chance to be really good next year at SIU and I get to stay close to home, around family and friends," Souchek said. "Those are both pluses."
"I think it's a good fit for both Steve and SIU," Logan golf coach Tom Ferris said. "Steve's our team captain. I think his future's unlimited. By taking advantage of the early signing period, he can now concentrate on the spring season ahead."
Ferris said the fact that Souchek has competed favorably against players from the top junior colleges in the nation should help make him successful at the next level.
"No doubt about that," Ferris said. "We've played in a number of Division I tournaments both this year and last. All that's going to do is make Steve a better player. Steve is going to bring experience, maturity and a good golf game to the Salukis. I wish him the best."
College updates
* Illinois College junior offensive lineman Keith Lane (Highland High) earned first-team All-Midwest Conference honors this season.
Lane anchored an offensive line that allowed only five sacks this season and he did not allow a sack in 10 games. Illinois College ranked eighth in total offense among all NCAA Division III schools and ninth in scoring.
Junior running back Cecil Brimmage (Marquette) was a second-team All-Midwest Conference pick after running for 868 yards and eight touchdowns. He broke the school rushing record in the season opener against Hanover College with 341 yards rushing.
