Sports

Murrieta Athletes Sign to Play at College Level

Twenty-four Murrieta high school seniors have signed letters of intent.

Athletes from two Murrieta high schools have officially committed to further their sports careers by playing at the collegiate level.

On Wednesday, the first day of the spring signing period known as National Signing Day. Vista Murrieta High School seniors were honored during a ceremony, To date, a total of 12 athletes from Vista Murrieta have signed letters of intent to play at the collegiate level, according to Murrieta Valley Unified School District Spokesperson Karen Parris.

Across town, Parris said Murrieta Valley High School has 12 who have signed their letters of intent. Murrieta Valley traditionally holds its signing day later in the year.

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Parris shared highlights from Vista Murrieta's signing day.

Among the athletes signing letters at Vista Murrieta, Parris said were five Broncos football players: Jeremy Castro, Corey Whitaker, offensive linemen Jacob Dexter and defensive back Randy Perez, and lineman Sapule Ta'amilo.

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Castro, a defensive end who was a four-star recruit, changed his verbal commitment twice before choosing University of California, Los Angeles. The senior said Wednesday that his mother, a UCLA fan, helped push him toward the Bruins.

"She had a big role," Castro told reporters. "When I committed to Oregon, she liked Oregon, she liked (Ducks coach) Chip Kelly...but she wanted me to go to UCLA."

Whitaker, the offensive lineman who helped lead the Broncos to the program's first CIF-Southern Section title, said he chose the Huskers after falling in love with the atmosphere on his visit to Lincoln.

"It's a football town, a football state really," Whitaker told reporters. "The games are always sold out and the fans are very excited about the team. It's a great day to be a Husker."

The ceremony at Vista Murrieta was not limited to football signing, Parris said.

Erika Reddish, who was selected the HSGameTime girls cross country runner of the year, signed with Brigham Young University. She will also run track for the college.

"It makes me feel like I'm already part of that school now," Reddish told reporters. "It's nice to finally make it official."

At Murrieta Valley High School four soccer players, two volleyball players and three softball players have signed their letters of intent along with Noah Johnson who will play football for Sacramento State and Katie Clark who will play basketball at Johns Hopkins University.

From Vista Murrieta, here are the athletes who have signed letters of intent:

Erika Reddish, Brigham Young University, cross county

Nicaela Hernandez, California State University, San Marcos, cross country

Marla Hurtado, Sonoma State University, cross country

Sierra Romero, University of Michigan, softball

Sapule Ta’amillo, Sacramento State University, football

Jeremy Castro, University of California, Los Anglees, football

Corey Whitaker, University of Nebraska, football

Jacob Dexter, Western New Mexico University, football

Riley Lemming, Portland State University, golf

Hannah Evans, California Baptist University, water polo

Randy Perez, Western New Mexico University, football

Jeff Moberg, California State University, Fullerton, baseball

From Murrieta Valley, here are the athletes who have signed letters of intent:

Taylor Suchy, Vanguard University, volleyball

Dana Backlund, University of Florida, volleyball

Jessica Tetzloff, University of California, Santa Barbara, softball

Jade Villamor, University of California, Riverside, softball

Loryn Nichols, Mississippi State University, softball

Katie Clark, John Hopkins University, basketball

Christian Vangeison, Niagara University, baseball

Dalton Sherwood, California Polytechnic University, Pomona, track

Noah Johnson, Sacramento State University, football

Wade Hamilton, California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, soccer

Allyn Adadie, Nova Southwestern University, Florida, soccer

Kelsey Birtcher, University of California, Davis, soccer


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