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Stevenson's Sorenson commits to UConn lacrosse

Stevenson junior Sophie Sorenson was an all-area volleyball player this past fall.

But that's not even her best sport.

Sorenson announced via twitter that she has made her verbal commitment to the University of Connecticut, where she will continue her lacrosse career.

That means there will now be two collegiate athletes in the Sorensen household.

Sophie's brother Jack was a redhsirt frehsman wide receiver for Miami University (Ohio) this fall.

A 2016 graduate of Stevenson, he quarterbacked the Patriots his senior year and as a junior caught 64 passes on the Patriots' state championship team.

Men's track

Augustana's Kyle Hucker (Wauconda) was part of the Vikings winning 4X400 meet relay team at the Monmouth Invitaional which has earned College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Athlete of the Week honors.

Hucker and his three senior partners ran a 3:20.75 to win by nearly three-quarters of a second. That time, when converted for track size, is the fastest in the nation at the Division III level this season.

Hucker is a two-time conference champion and two-time All-American. He has also claimed the last two CCIW outdoor championships as well as an indoor conference title in 2016. He is an accounting, management and finance major.

•Augustana senior Kevin Barbian (Libertyville) was seventh at 49-2½ in the shot put at the Vikings placed fifth at the highly-competitive Squig Converse Invitational. The nine team event was held at Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Men's basketball

Villanova junior guard Jalen Brunson (Stevenson) matched his season high of 31 points in an 85-82 win at Marquette that lifted the top-ranked Wildcats top-ranked Wildcats to 20-1 and 7-1 in the Big East.

Women's track

Concordia-Chicago's Chelsee Wilson (Grayslake North) was part of the Cougars'e 4x400-meter relay team that took third place with a time of 4:14.20 at the NCAA-NAIA Challenge, hosted by Olivet Nazarene University. Wilson also ran the 800 meters in a solid 2:32.06 to finish fourth.

Men's tennis

Wisconsin-Whitewater junior Brandon Dechter (Carmel Catholic) will be one of three juniors on the roster when the Warhawks begin their quest toward a 12th consecutive NCAA Division III tournament appearance this spring.

Whitewater is ranked 38th in the latest Oracle/Intercollegiate Tennis Association Division III National Team Rankings.

Last year, Dechter and senior Matt Zuowski from West Bend, Wis., combined to reach the round of 16 in doubles. Dechter and Zurowski collected five wins in six doubles matches they played together. In all, Dechter won 18 matches combined in singles and doubles.

Football

Carmel senior offensive lineman Braden Foster has committed to Iowa State, where his brother Sean was a redshirt freshman last fall. Sean played in 10 games, starting six at right tackle and helping the Cyclones break the school record for passing yardage in a season (272.9), ranking 30th nationally.

Foundation awards

Six local high school seniors will split $21,000 in college scholarships at the National Football Foundation Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall on Feb. 19 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The awards recognize excellence on the football field, in the classroom and in the community.

Pro and/or College Football Hall of Famers Dan Hampton, Steve McMichael, Pat Fitzgerald and Ted Hendricks will be among the 150 attendees.

Hersey High School graduate Jeff Joniak, the Bears radio announcer, will be Master of Ceremonies.

The high school honorees include Ray Niro III (Barrington), Matthew Nolan (Wauconda), Devon Rembis (St. Laurence), Louis Cox (St. Rita of Cascia), Jack Haefer (Batavia) and David Madden (St. Edward Central Catholic).

Registration for $120/person is at http://nffchicago.eventbrite.com./

Chris Kearney is the board chairman for the National Football Foundation & College Football HOF, Chicago Metro Chapter.

• Email Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com.

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