Warrenton High School senior Michele Higby has put together quite a softball career, including a series of honors that include being named to the All-Region Team, the All-District Team, being named All-Conference, achieving All-Academic status three times, and winning the Gateway Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award. 

Now, after hitting .421 her senior season with an on-base percentage of .542, Higby has signed on with St. Louis Community College (STLCC) to continue her softball career at the college level. The recruitment process for Higby was thorough, with schools such as Central Methodist University and Missouri Baptist joining STLCC in trying to bring her on to be a part of its program. 

“I first started to consider STLCC when the head coach (Kristi Swiderski) messaged me wanting to schedule a time to talk about playing for their team. This was so crazy to me because everything started to become real. I looked at and toured other colleges, but. It was the same thing each time,” she said. “The coach would email me, we would schedule a time to take a tour, we would talk about scholarships and classes and that would be it. When I toured at STLCC, the coach didn't just ask about my grades, and what I wanted to do with my life, but she asked where I was going to vacation this summer, and she told me about her dogs, which made me feel like I was at home.”

Her high school coach, Chad Berrey, firmly believes that Higby is set to succeed at the next level. 

“Michele was definitely one of the most talented athletes that I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. She possessed all the right tools to put together a very successful high school career,” said Berrey. “Michele was our center fielder and our leadoff hitter the entire season last year. She is an extremely fun girl to watch as she can do it all. She is talented, energetic and fearless. Offensively, she will spray the ball all over the field with authority.”

It isn’t just what she does at the plate that makes her dangerous, though. 

“Defensively, I would admittedly argue, and have stated to many college coaches during Michele’s recruiting process, that she is the best defensive outfielder in the St. Louis area,” continued Berrey. “Her best attribute though is not of athletic ability, but her toughness and grit she brings to the field; this is what separated her from the pack.” 

Berrey is confident that she will enjoy success at the next level. 

“Higby is definitely a unique player. She is a huge part of our culture and is the glue that keeps our girls together. I know coaches can teach skills and improve talent, but Michele has a team mindset and a love for her teammates that can not be taught. Speaking on behalf of the whole high school softball coaching staff, we are more than excited on her choice to further her softball and academic career and St. Louis Community College,” he said. “We can not wait to see Michele tear it up at the college level next year.The STLCC Archers are very lucky to have Higby as a player, student, and person at their university.”

Higby is ready as well, and is up for the challenge. 

“There are many things that I am looking forward to at STLCC like continuing my education to become a nurse, and meeting new people, but the thing that I am most looking forward to at STLCC is being able to play softball for my home,” she said. “I lived in Saint Louis County for half of my life, and Missouri my whole life, so being able to represent my home in college softball is definitely the icing on top of the cake.”