Walnut High athletes make college commitments official

 By Kelli Gile

WALNUT, CA—Walnut High School celebrated seven elite athletes who have received scholarships to play college sports during a lunchtime ceremony on Wednesday.

Bella Amezcua – soccer, Jacob Garcia, Royce Labuguen, Frankie Zamarripa, and Brandon Godoy – baseball, Malia Avila – track, and Mia Dow – wrestling, signed national letters of intent as families and friends cheered them on.

“It’s exciting! Today makes all the years of hard work pay off,” said defender Bella Amezcua who committed to play soccer at Cal State University, Dominquez Hills.

Four varsity baseball teammates committed to continue playing their sport at the collegiate level during the May 4 event.

“It felt really good signing these papers today!” said pitcher Royce Labuguen who will attend Cal State University, Dominguez hills.

Labuguen said “it felt like home” when he recently toured the campus and met with the coaching staff.

“They’re really nice and welcoming.”

“This is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. It’s a dream come true,” said first baseman Frankie Zamarripa who will attend Clarke University in Dubuque Iowa.

Zamarripa said he’s been playing since he was about seven-years-old.

“Swinging the bat and throwing the ball has always been fun for me!”

Pitcher and outfielder Jacob Garcia will attend Cal State University, Stanislaus and third-baseman Brandon Godoy will attend Cal Poly University, Pomona.

Mia Dow, the most decorated wrestler at Walnut High, took 4^th place during the CIF State Championships in February. She will be playing her sport at MacMurray College in Jackson, Illinois next year.

Track and field sprinter Malia Avila committed to attend Concordia University.

“This school had everything I was looking for!” said the star athlete who competed in the 300-meter hurdles at CIF State Championships.