Four San Luis Sidewinders sign their letters of intent to play college soccer and baseball.

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – A proud day for San Luis High School, as four standout Sidewinder athletes officially signed their letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.

After leading the Sidewinders on the soccer pitch, captains Luis Garcia and Armando Favela both signed with community college programs.

Garcia, a dynamic midfielder, signed with Mohave Community College. He wrapped up his senior season with 13 goals and 6 assists, earning 1st Team All-State honors and being named Region Player of the Year.

“It’s just like a dream,” Garcia said. “Not what we wanted at the end of the season, but personally being named player of the region and signing with Mohave, it couldn’t be better.”

Favela, a holding midfielder, committed to Mesa Community College. He was recognized as the Desert Southwest Region Defensive Player of the Year after a standout senior campaign.

“Its a wonderful moment,” Favela said. “These past four years have been a great journey. It’s an honor representing San Luis.”

On the girls’ side, Alizey Hernandez will take her talents to Nelson University in Phoenix after earning All-Region honors this season.

“Since I was small, I’ve been wanting to do this,” Hernandez said. “[Phoenix] is definitely a lot bigger than here and I’m ready for that change.”

Cesar Chavira, one of the most decorated baseball players in school history, will continue his career at Cochise College. The four-year varsity catcher has earned First Team All-Region recognition every season since his freshman year.

“It feels great and I’m ready to go and compete,” Chavira said. “I chose Cochise because of the coaching, the practice program and the school’s strong baseball history. It’s a great team and a great fit for me.”

Garcia is looking to study architecture. Favela will study economics and business. Hernandez is looking to study psychology. Chavira is planning to study sports medicine.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Grace Curnow made an immediate impact to Billings West athletics the moment she stepped foot on campus for her freshman year, leaving a significant mark on the Golden Bear soccer team. Her hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed, leading to her favorite high school memory.

“I would have to say my favorite memory is winning state freshman year. We went undefeated that year and it was so fun and exciting to be a part of that at such a young age and just to contribute is something I’ll never forget,” Curnow said.

Curnow’s soccer achievements include earning all-state defensive honors for three consecutive seasons and being named Defensive MVP in her junior and senior years. Her impressive performances caught the attention of Rocky Mountain College, a place she is familiar with and excited to join.

“I’ve always been about Rocky,” she said. “My club coaches are the coaches at Rocky, I love being coached by them and Rocky is such a good school with their soccer program growing. They also have great educational programs so I’m really excited to continue my education and play soccer there. My parents have been one of my biggest motivators my entire life and high school career so I’m very excited that they get to come and watch me so I’m glad I’m staying close to home because they’ll always be there.”

In addition to soccer, Curnow decided to reconnect with basketball, a sport she grew up playing. As one of two seniors on a youthful team, she found her experience rejuvenating.

“I did feel young, I didn’t feel like a senior. Everyone there made the experience so much fun. Obviously I got recognized as a senior and getting to be a leader on the court but it was so fun. The team, the atmosphere, I’m glad I was able to be a part of it for one final season,” she stated.

Curnow also participated in track during her final high school year, contributing to Billings West’s second-place finish in the 4×100 meter relay.

The Midland Roundtable Athlete of the Year Banquet will be held May 12th 7p.m. at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.

Times Observer photo
Flanked by his parents, Chris and Charity, Casey Seymour signs his letter of intent to continue his academic and soccer careers at Geneva College.

The sky appears to be the limit for Eisenhower senior Casey Seymour.

Seymour, who is easy going but who has a serious side to his personality, recently signed his national letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at Division III Geneva College.

Seymour, the son of Chris and Charity Seymour and brother to Conlan, hails from Russell and will be a busy young man this fall. Not only will he be a student at Geneva, but he will also be attending flight school at Beaver Community College, with the ultimate goal of becoming an airline transport pilot.

Oh yes, and he’ll be playing soccer, too.

All of this would make most parents nervous, but Casey’s parents are excited for the opportunities in front of their son.

Times Observer file photo
CASEY SEYMOUR

“We are excited for him to have this opportunity to continue to play the sport he loves,” Chris Seymour said. “It will definitely be an adjustment being a college student and a member of the soccer team, but he’s ready and excited for the challenge.”

When asked why Geneva, Casey was quick to answer.

“The pieces all fell together perfectly,” he said. “Geneva has an aviation business major and a program with Beaver Community College for flight school. It’s just a good fit. It certainly didn’t hurt being recruited by Geneva, which has an excellent soccer program. It just couldn’t have come together any better for me.”

Geneva head soccer coach Gary Dunda is happy to add Casey to the team.

“Case is an athletic goalkeeper with a bright future at the college level,” Dunda said. “He fits in perfectly with our team culture and is a great addition to Geneva College. We are looking forward to the next four years with Case.”

Casey’s parents are also pleased with their son’s choice of Geneva, a Christian college with an excellent academic reputation.

Eisenhower head coach Mike Taylor is pleased with Casey’s decision.

“Casey is probably the most talented goalkeeper I’ve ever coached,” Taylor said. “If he rises to the challenge of higher level football, he certainly has the potential to develop into one of the finest players this area has ever produced.

“He’s leaving a huge hole on our squad. It will be fun to follow him as he competes at the next level. I wish him every success for the future.”

Casey, an accomplished multi-sport athlete at Eisenhower, played four years of soccer and was the team MVP as a freshman and Co-MVP as a senior. He was voted first team all-region. He also excelled on the basketball court where he was voted to the all-region second team as a senior. He also was selected to the NY/PA Corporate Coccer Showcase, an all-star team made up of soccer players from both states that will play July 27 at Pitt-Bradford University. Casey was voted a co-captain for each team.