Cobden High School softball standout Keileigh Britt signs with Shawnee College

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A rich softball history and the strong performance of a key player played key roles in the signing of a Cobden High School student athlete to play at Shawnee Community College near Ullin.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Cobden softball catcher Keileigh Shay Britt has signed to continue her playing career with Shawnee.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">A signing ceremony was held Friday afternoon, Jan. 15, in the gymnasium at Cobden High School. </span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Keileigh was joined at the ceremony by family members and softball coaches.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">She will be a 2016 graduate at Cobden High School. The Cobden senior said she plans to pursue studies leading to a master’s degree in nursing.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Shawnee Community College head softball coach Lana Richmond noted Cobden’s strong history in softball and Keileigh’s standout performance on the softball diamond as key factors in her signing.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Richmond described the Cobden student athlete as a strong player. “She’s going to do well for us,” Richmond said about Keileigh, who will begin her community college studies and softball career during the 2016-2017 academic year.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">In addition to her career at Cobden, Keileigh has played softball with the SI Dirt Dawgs from 2014 to the present and with the SI Lady Bullets from 2011 to 2014. She also has played basketball at Cobden.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Keileigh compiled a .418 batting average in high school action in 2015. She hit .389 during the 2015 travel season. During the 2015 softball season, Keileigh posted 25 runs batted in and five home runs.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Her career athletic accomplishments include:</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">2014-2015 softball first team all-conference. 2014-2015 softball achievement hitting award. 2013-2014 most valuable player, Cobden High School softball.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">2013, advanced to state in a 3-point basketball shoot-out as the only freshman in Class 1A. 2014 and 2015, advanced to section 3-point basketball shoot-out.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">2011 SIC softball champions. 2011 SIC basketball champions. Second at state, Class M, junior high softball, 2011. Lettered in softball and basketball since 2010.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Her honors, awards and clubs include:</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Honor roll/high honors, three years. Certificate of achievement: Southern Illinoisan Saluki most valuable pupil, 2012. FCCLA, three years, currently treasurer. Beta Club, two years. FCA, one year.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Her community service work includes:</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1">Junior volunteer firefighter, Cobden Fire Department. FCCLA, Toys for Tots, nursing home service. Beta Club, community events.</span></p>

<p class="p1">Cobden High School student athlete Keileigh Britt has signed to play softball at Shawnee Community College. A signing ceremony was held Friday afternoon, Jan. 15, in the gymnasium at Cobden High School. Those on hand for the signing included, from left, Becky Hale, assistant softball coach at Cobden High School; Landon Britt, Keileigh’s brother; Michele Burris, head softball coach at Cobden High School; Melissa Britt, Keileigh’s mom; Steve Beaver, the founder of the SI Dirt Dawgs (a fast pitch softball travel team on which Keileigh plays); Keileigh Britt; Gerald Britt, Keileigh’s dad; Matt Knox, SI Dirt Dawgs head coach; Lana Richmond, head softball coach at Shawnee Community College; and Amanda Beaver, SI Dirt Dawgs head coach. </p>