TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Topeka High Senior wide receiver Zoe Caryl put the hours on the diamond.

“I’ve been playing softball since I was three.” Caryl said.

And that takes his game to the next level.

“I’ve always dreamed of going to play college softball so it’s really exciting to be able to do that.” Caryl said.

Topeka High catcher Zoe Caryl sat surrounded by teammates, coaches, friends and family as she celebrated her signing to play softball at the University of Illinois.

“It was so surreal and it felt like I’m really going to go do this,” Caryl said. “I’m going to college, I’m going to play softball. I will make a difference and do things.

“She is our heart and our soul. Our leader, ”said Shane Miles, Head Coach of Topeka High Softball. “To have a player like Zoe signing up to a Big Ten school, where she’s going to compete nationally, when you could see her play on TV, on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, it’s high time for our program and big. time for our school. “

For the Trojan star, joining the Illini was a perfect mix of academics and athletics.

“I want to go play for people who want me there, who are going to support me and make me a better player and a better person for my future and that’s what Illinois encompasses. Caryl said.

She carved out all of the diamond heritage in northeastern Kansas. Now she’s on the next challenge.

“Big Ten, go do big things, you know,” Caryl said. “So that’s really my goal in Illinois is to go to the NCAA tournament. Go look for titles. Win the Big Ten. Things like that. Big goals that we strive for, I think 100% could be achieved. “

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