By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
Five sports were represented by eight Del Rio High School seniors as the largest signing class in the school’s history took center stage this week.
Tuesday afternoon, eight student-athletes from track and field, baseball, softball, soccer and golf were joined by friends, family and teammates in a signing ceremony at the Carl P. Guys Memorial Gymnasium.
Taking part in the ceremony were Nathan Reyes, Will Cooper, Matt Mendez, Alex Rodriguez, Jada Bishop, Cassandra Ochoa, Leanna Galindo and Lorena Torres. They join fellow seniors Jadyn Casillas and Joe Chavez, who signed their letters of intent in February, bringing the total number of Del Rio High signees this year to 10.
Coaches of each athlete offered their insights before the athletes were offered an opportunity to speak. Not every signee opted to address the audience, but each of them received applause and congratulations when they put pen to paper and took the first step towards the next phase of their athletic achievements.
NATHAN REYES
Reyes, the son of Marina and Domingo Reyes, signed to run track and field for Jacksonville College in Jacksonville, Texas. The school is located southeast of Dallas/Fort Worth.
While in college, Reyes said he planned on studying business.
According to Rick Torres, Rams head track and field coach, Reyes is the 29th track and field student-athlete since 2003 to sign to compete collegiately.
Reyes was a two-sport athlete at Del Rio High, playing for the Rams football team and competing in track and field as an individual as well as part of the 4×400 relay team.
In football he was an All-District honorable mention at safety. Locally, he was also a recipient of the Ruben Chavira Award.
In track, Reyes was a district champion in the 400 meters and as part of the 4×400 relay team. He advanced to regionals in the 400 meters after finishing second at Area. He also helped the relay team finish fifth at Area.
For his efforts during the track and field season, Reyes was named the Del Rio Track and Field Male Athlete of the Year.
“I remember Nathan coming last year and asking me, ‘Do you think I can run at college or someone will try to recruit me?’ I said yes. You just gotta make sure you keep on running to the best of your potential,” Torres said.
Torres said he had received several emails from different schools in regards to Reyes and his future after high school, but he figured out why the senior chose Jacksonville.
“I think I figured out why. They’re competing at nationals this coming weekend. I also saw the results from this last track meet, the state meet’s results, and a lot of those people that competed and medaled are going to be his teammates. He’s going to a very competitive and a very good school,” Torres said. “The way he practices every day it’s like he’s competing or racing at a meet and as long as you keep doing that you’ll be alright.”
Reyes spoke off the cuff during his time at the microphone, but was humbled by the opportunity presented before him.
“First of all I just want to just thank God. I’m just really blessed to be running at the next level. To be fair I never thought I would get here. I never grew up with track. I always grew up with football and I started track during my high school years. My first day at practice I thought man this is hard. I don’t think I can keep doing this. But after the years of pushing through I’m here where I am right now and I’m blessed to be running at Jacksonville College,” Reyes said.
Reyes also thanked his coaches and teammates, but especially his family for the years of support. He mentioned that he dedicated his district championship in the 400 meters to his late great-grandmother.
“There wasn’t a day they didn’t come to support me in football and track. They’ll always be there no matter what the conditions were,” Reyes said of his mother and father.
JADA BISHOP
Bishop has committed to play softball for Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Ill., which is about 20 miles northwest of Chicago. While there, she plans on majoring in criminal justice and homeland security.
The daughter of Blanca Rodriguez and Pete Bishop and the stepdaughter of Herodes Tovar, Bishop was a standout for the Queens softball team, able to play a variety of positions if called upon.
She was named to the District 30-6A All-District First Team as a utility player and she was a member of the All-District All-Academic team. Locally, Bishop was named co-Defensive MVP.
Bishop chose not to speak to the audience, but Queens head softball coach Arnulfo “Nufie” Rodriguez used his time to speak highly of his senior standout.
“Anything we needed she would do. Selfless. Total team player, centerfield, second base, pitcher. I think there’s one time she even asked me, ‘Coach, I can catch if you need me to catch.’ ‘Coach, I can play first base.’ That is just who Jada was,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also spoke about Bishop’s support staff, including family, teammates and coaches at the high school and in travel ball, that helped her standout and earn the chance to play in college.
“We talk about a village to raise a young lady. Here we have her parents, we have her supporting staff, with her players, parents, even her travel team coaches, all of them together helped this young lady accomplish where she’s going and that’s something you can’t take away,” Rodriguez said. “So other players, other students that are out here … take a moment, take this in. Softball girls, let this be you the next few years. The opportunity is there. Learn from this young lady. Learn the hard work. Learn being a team player because ultimately that’s what it was and that’s what made us successful this year and for years to come.”
Rodriguez concluded his statements with a final message for Bishop. “On behalf of the coaching staff … thank you for being Jada, for being who you were, and anything you need from us, the coaching staff, we’re here for you,” Rodriguez said.
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Coming Friday — a look at Will Cooper and Matt Mendez
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
