2010 - Freshman
Saw time in 16 contests off the bench ... Scored seven runs and was successful in her only stolen base attempt of the season.

High School
First team All-State as a senior after earning second team honors as a junior ... Set Palatine school records for single season batting average (.485), most consecutive games with a hit (17), most single-season at-bats (129) and career stolen bases (62) ... Two-time all-conference and two-time all-area ... Two-time Pioneer Press All-Northwest Team ... Team MVP and team captain ... IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award ... Earned three letters in softball and two each in volleyball and basketball ... Played travel with the Palatine Angels and Elk Grove Heat.

Personal
Born July 12, 1990 ... Daughter of Rafael and Mayra Linares ... Has two brothers, Ralphie and Kenneth ... Majoring in accounting.

Getting To Know Nicole
Favorite athlete: LeBron James ... Says her high school coach Jeff Manz most influenced her athletic career because "he taught me that hard work and determination can get you doing something you never thought you could." ... Hobbies: Softball, shopping, eating, playing outside ... Favorite quote: "Act as if it were impossible to fail." ... Something most people don't know: "I'm 100 percent Cuban." ... Why Illinois? "It's been in my family and I love everything about the environment here." ... What I like most about being a Fighting Illini? "Knowing what I represent and being a part of something this important every day of my life."

Linares' Career Statistics