Five local athletes put pen to paper at local Signing Day ceremonies on Wednesday, making their college decisions official in front of friends, family and the coaches who helped make their special day possible.

At Wylie, baseball players Colby Garrett and Hudson Tuley signed with Ranger College and McLennan Community College, respectively, while softball player Olivia Volz signed to continue her athletic and academic career at Cisco College.

And over at Abilene High, softball pitcher Avah Reyes gave her signature to Odessa College, while soccer player Rheauna De La Garza signed to play at Seminole State College in Seminole, Okla.

Wylie players excited to take skills to next level

While Wednesday’s Signing Day ceremony at Bulldog Gym gave friends and family a chance to congratulate and take pictures with those being celebrated, for the players themselves it was the culmination of years of hard work and the realization of a lifelong dream. 

It’s one baseball coach Grant Martin has gotten to enjoy with players on a near-annual basis since his return to the school, but one that never gets old, he said.

“It’s super fun because it’s about their dreams,” Martin said. “It’s something they’ve wanted to do all their lives, and they’ve worked so hard to reach this point. So for them to see everything kind of come to fruition is a big deal. But more importantly, as a program and as a school and as a community, sending these types of kids out to do great things and represent other schools, we just couldn’t ask for two better guys to do that.”

Garrett, a four-year starter for the Bulldogs at shortstop who also plays a key role out of the Wylie bullpen, will go to Ranger with the hopes of continuing in a two-way role. 

Citing the coaching staff there as the biggest draw, the senior right-hander said Wednesday was, indeed, a dream come true.

“It was super cool,” he said. “I’ve dreamt of playing college baseball my whole life, so to officially take the next step was pretty fulfilling for me. Now, I’m just excited for the season and excited to get going.”

Tuley echoed those sentiments. 

A pitcher, outfielder and first baseman for the Bulldogs, Tuley said he’ll get his first look on the mound when he gets to McLennan, located in Waco.

Like Garrett, the southpaw and three-year letterman said he’s excited to play his senior season and then see how far baseball can take him in college.

“I’m hoping to see how far I can go with my talents and see what kind of work I can put in and then get out of it,” said Tuley, who chose McLennan for the coaching staff, facilities and the program’s success in advancing players to four-year programs. “Just see how far I can go.”

For Volz, who missed much of her junior season with a torn labrum in her right shoulder, Wednesday’s ceremony was a reminder of how much and why she loves softball. 

Surrounded by supporters, the speedy outfielder said the day couldn’t have gone much better.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “I feel like I’m about to start a new chapter in my life. I know my parents and friends are always going to be there, but I get to grow and meet new people and know new experiences. All of this has been helping make it easier.”

While she’s excited to get her career started at Cisco, she said she can’t wait to hit the field one last time with her Wylie coaches and teammates.

“It’s hard because I have had injuries and I’m still in recovery, but it’s going to be fun,” she said of her senior season. “I know I’ll be back to strength by the time the season comes. It will be hard, but I’ll be back.”

Abilene High Ace Reyes realizes lifelong dream

Over at Eagle Gym, supporters packed the stands to share their excitement with and for Reyes and De La Garza, both four-year lettermen for their respective programs.

For Reyes, the Signing Day experience was everything she had hoped it would be and more.

“It means the world to me,” the senior right-hander said. “I’ve been dreaming out this ever since I was 5 years old, and to be able to make my dream come true is really special to me.”

As excited as Reyes was to realize her goal of earning an opportunity to play college softball, though, her coach may have been even moreso. 

“It’s very exciting for her,” AHS coach Jenna Aguirre said. “Due to her size, a lot of people doubt her. Just with the whole process of getting her recruited with her size, some people are like, ‘She doesn’t throw super hard,’ but she’s really good in her own way, and I think the statistics show that.

“So it’s just been great. She’s been working for this her entire life. Once she got into middle school, she was dialed in and ready to work. Just to see her flourish and grow these last four years has been a really neat thing.”

Before she goes to play for the Wranglers, Reyes still has some unfinished business to attend to at Abilene High, where her 377 career strikeouts puts her within 19 of the school record of 398, set by her former teammate Diana Silva.

In addition to setting the AHS strikeout record, she also wants to help the Lady Eagles to their first trip to state before she leaves Abilene.

“I love Abilene High softball. It means the world to me,” she said. “This is a place I’ll never forget. I’ve made a lot of memories here and I love Coach (Aguirre) and I love the girls and I’m ready to go win some more gold trophies.

“I’m hoping to break the strikeout record and hold that for a while and then I’m hoping to get more gold gloves and to take them past the fourth round. They’ve never made it past the fourth round, so let’s go get it.”