Sterling senior linebacker Nick Simester will continue his academic and athletic career at Illinois Wesleyan University next year.

Simester, a first-team selection on the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State Team that was released this week, was also a Western Big 6 all-conference first-team selection as a junior and a senior, and received Academic All-State honors as well.

Illinois Wesleyan, a Division III school located in Bloomington, was 2-1 in the COVID-shortened season this spring, winning their only home game 42-7 over North Park to close the season.