Sixteen Odessa High athletes signed their letters of intent to play at the collegiate level in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon at OHS Fieldhouse.
There were 16 seniors signing for 13 different schools from sports including football, girls basketball, track and field, cross country, swimming softball, boys and girls soccer and cheerleading.
For football, Blane Mendoza and Jose Guerrero signed to play at UTPB while Jaylien Jones will be going to Hardin-Simmons University and Mark Marichalar will be playing at the University of Dubuque.
“I’m just glad all their hard work and dedication and commitment is paying off,” Odessa High head football coach Dusty Ortiz said. “These kids, they spend a lot of hours, sacrificing fun for working out and instead of hanging out with friends during the summer, their running and in the weight room. Even in the Christmas break and the holidays, they’re working out. I’m just so happy for them. All their hard work and dedication and commitment to the classroom is paying off.”
Ortiz talked about some of the things that made his players stand out on the field over the last couple of years.
“Jaylien has really worked with our quarterback coach quite a bit,” Ortiz said. “He progressed a whole lot from last fall when he was a junior against Legacy and he really came into his own and was a quarterback that we could win games with. He put in the hours with our quarterback coach and his commitment has really grown. I’m glad someone saw the talent that he has.”
Marichalar helped as a rushing threat for the Bronchos.
“Mark was a kid that was going into the season after spring ball as the No. 2 running back and he has the same type of commitment as the rest of the guys. He just busted his tail and ended up being our running back for the season,” Ortiz said. “If we needed five yards, he’d get us six. He’s a tough runner.”
Ortiz talked about how consistent Guerrero has been.
“Jose’s been more consistent throughout his career, at least ever since I’ve been here,” Ortiz said. “He’s been the leader as far as work goes. He’s going to bust his tail and work hard.”
Mendoza has been another key member of OHS’s offense.
“You look at Blane and he’s consistent, work’s hard and love the weight room,” Ortiz said. “He caught some critical passes from Jaylien and was a tough blocker and a great kid.”
For girls basketball, Deoshonay Henderson won’t be too far from home as she signed on for Midland College at the NJCAA level.
“I’m very excited,” Henderson said. “To be able to go to the next level and try a new challenge in my life, I’m proud of that.”
The senior helped the Lady Bronchos to a playoff spot this past season.
Henderson plans on majoring in kinesiology and business.
“I plan on staying close to home so that helped with my decision and I want to see OHS grow so that’s why I chose Midland College,” Henderson said.
She’s also relishing a new challenge at the collegiate level including playing against new faces.
“I’m not used to playing people outside of the state so that’s what I’m looking forward to,” Henderson said.
Odessa High head girls basketball coach Sherman Chew just finished up his first season in charge of the Lady Bronchos but it was enough time for him to notice her work ethic.
“That’s the first thing I noticed about her,” Chew said. “She doesn’t mind putting in the work to accomplish what she needs to accomplish.”
Paige Byford signed on for track and field at Lubbock Christian University, while Jazira Perez signed for track and cross country at Midwestern State University.
For swimming, Mia Mendez will be competing at McMurry University.
For softball, Diveli Cherry will be playing at Odessa College while her teammate Shelby Navarette will be going to East Texas Baptist University.
For boys soccer, Avelino Sigala will be playing at Schreiner.
In girls soccer, Paris Ray and Samantha Ramirez will be both be competing at UTPB and Taylor Berta will be going to Bethel College.
For cheerleading, Tatiana De La Torre has signed on for Sul Ross State while Dayleen Bustamante will be going to Angelo State.
