Chaparral High Athletes College-Bound

Pumas pride was bursting at the seams Wednesday as Chaparral High announced that 12 athletes signed letters-of-intent with colleges around the nation.

Wednesday was the first day high school seniors could sign NCAA letters-of-intent.

The football and softball programs had three apiece, while baseball had two players sign.

While 12 players from one school is impressive, athletic director Mike Rowan pointed out that the school had 22 kids receive athletic scholarships in 2004.

“It was a great day,” Rowan said. “It was neat and exciting to see that four years of hard work and dedication has paid off for these students.”

Led by running back Darius Guillory, Pumas football came on strong in the second half of the season to qualify for the CIF playoffs, where they lost a 40-35 heartbreaker to Upland High in the first round.

Guillory will play at San Diego State in the fall. Last season, he rushed for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns. Out of the backfield, he also caught 28 passes for 280 yards and one TD.

Receiver Antoine Arnold signed with Arizona Western. He had 46 catches for 772 yards and eight touchdowns in the fall. Cornerback Dylan Valentine, who had a pair of interceptions and ranked second on the team in tackles with 40, signed with Bemidji State, a Division II program in Minnesota.

The universities the Pumas players signed with are as varied as the players themselves, proving that not all athletes have to attend a major university to further their education, Rowan said.

“No doubt, my coaches do a great job of finding the best situation possible for all these athletes, academically and athletically,” Rowan said.

Three softball players – led by Shelby Pickett, who committed to Big 10 perennial power Ohio State – also signed. In addition to Pickett, Shelby Graves will play for Florida International University and Taylor Peterson will play at nearby Florida Institute of Technology.

Below is the list of Chaparral athletes and their school of choice:

Darius Guillory – San Diego State – football

Antoine Arnold –Arizona Western – football

Dylan Valentine – Bemidji State – football

Shelby Pickett – Ohio State – softball

Shelby Graves – Florida International University – softball

Taylor Peterson – Florida Institute of Technology – softball

Trevor Podratz – University of Hawaii – baseball

Cole Sommers – American International Univ., MA- baseball

Ta Rea Cunnigan – San Jose State – girls’ basketball

Amanda Abbott – Concordia, Nebraska – volleyball

Paige Saxton Getty – U.S. Air Force Academy – girls Soccer

Garrett Ballreich – Lake Forest Academy – swimming