Tony Austin-Venable (San Jacinto, Calif.), Matthew Howe (Royal, Iowa), Jesse Selgeby (Rock Rapids, Iowa) and Alex Herrington (Fort Dodge, Iowa) have signed letters of intent
to continue their football careers at Northwestern College next year. Austin-Venable and Selgeby will also run track for the Red Raiders.
Austin-Venable is a 6’0”, 205-pound running back and safety who played three years for San Jacinto High School. Venable earned second team all-league honors and was named to the all-county all-star team after rushing for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He also earned first team all-league honors and was voted the team’s offensive most valuable player as a junior. Austin-Venable plans to major in nursing at Northwestern. He is the son of Tony Venable and Nichelle Austin-Venable.
“Tony is a very good football player who will add much needed depth at the running back position,” commented head coach Kyle Achterhoff. “His versatility will allow him to play at either of the running back positions. We are very excited to have Tony join the Red Raiders.”
Howe is a 6’3”, 300-pound defensive tackle and offensive lineman who lettered two years for Clay Central Everly High School. He helped lead his team to an 8-3 record as a senior. Howe plans to major in kinesiology/exercise science at Northwestern. He is the son of Tabitha.
“Matt is a very good offensive lineman and we believe he will improve tremendously during his career at Northwestern,” commented Achterhoff. “He already has good size and strength. Matt will become a very good Red Raider offensive lineman.”
Selgeby is a 5’10”, 160-pound running back who lettered three years for the West Lyon football team. He rushed for 1,697 yards and helped lead his team to a 10-2 record before losing in the state quarterfinals. Selgeby earned all-state honors two consecutive years as well as all-conference and all-district accolades. As a junior, Selgeby was crowned the state champion in the 100m dash. A member of the honor roll, he is the son of Jeff and Kelly.
“We are really excited about keeping the West Lyon pipeline going with the addition of Jesse to the Red Raider football family,” commented Achterhoff. “He has great speed and will be one of our fastest players. Jesse could make an immediate impact on our team next fall.”
Herrington lettered two years for the Fort Dodge Senior High football team. The 6’4”, 235-pound offensive lineman, defensive end and punter earned third team all-state honors on the offensive side of the ball last year. He has a key member of a 2009 team that finished with a 7-3 record. As a junior, Herrington earned first team all-conference honors as a punter. A member of the National Honor Society, Herrington plans to major in exercise science at Northwestern. He is the son of Jim and June.
“We are very excited to have Alex join the Red Raider football family,” said Achterhoff. “His size and athleticism will make him a very valuable member of the football team. Alex will be playing tight end at Northwestern.”
2009 Media Guide
