Huskers Sign Iowa Speedster to National Letter-of-Intent

Lincoln ? University of Nebraska Baseball Coach Mike Anderson announced the signing of outfielder Deric Manrique (Sioux City, Iowa) to a National Letter-of-Intent on Thursday. Manrique is the third player signed during the spring signing period which began last week.

A three-year starter heading into his senior season (Iowa plays its high school baseball in the summer) for Coach Brian Atchison at Sioux City North High School, Manrique earned first-team Class 4-A all-state honors as a junior, batting .495 and with a .673 on-base percentage while swiping 62-of-65 bases. His 62 stolen bases broke school and conference records and was the second-highest single-season total in state history, two off the state mark set in 1994. The 5-11, 170-pound speedster is a two-time all-state honoree and has 136 stolen bases in his high school career, needing just 27 more this summer to break Iowa's all-time high school record. He was recruited by Minnesota and Northern Iowa before choosing to be a Husker. Sioux City North finished 2003 with a 28-11 record and returns nearly its entire lineup intact from a year ago.

"Deric brings a lot of speed and athleticism into the program," NU Head Coach Mike Anderson said. "He comes for a very athletic background, as he plays four sports in high school and is one of the best base stealers in state history. We are looking forward to having him develop in our program, as he turns his full attention toward baseball."

"When I made my visit, the facilities were great and the coaches and all of the people I meet seemed friendly," Manrique said. "It seemed like a small-town atmosphere even though it is in the city."

An accomplished four-sport athlete who also plays football, basketball and track, he was a second-team all-state football selection last fall playing wide receiver, catching 37 passes for 550 yards and 16 total touchdowns (six via reception, three via rush and five returns). In track, he placed third at the state track meet in the long jump as a junior (career best of 22-8 1/2), while competing in the short sprints. In basketball, he earned all-metro honors, as he averaged 10 points per game in helping Sioux City North to a quarterfinal appearance in the state tournament. Manrique will be competing in the long jump and the 4x100 relay at the Drake Relays this weekend.

The Huskers, who are 26-10 on the season and ranked as high as 16th in this week’s national polls, return to action this weekend, as they travel to top-ranked Texas for a three-game series. Friday’s first pitch is at 6:15 p.m., while Saturday’s 3 p.m. tilt with the Longhorns will be carried on Fox Sports Net.

-- Huskers --