Recently in New Mexico State Category

Got an e-mail last night from Cajon coach Jerry Tivey detailing the exploits of former Cowgirls Ashley Maroda and Breja'e Washington. Maroda, a 2007 graduate, led New Mexico State to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history this year and went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBIs in the Aggies' 9-0 win over Texas Tech in the NCAA regionals Friday night. A senior, Maroda is in the top 5 of 10 different categories of New Mexico State's record book.

Washington, a freshman at Texas, tied the school single-season record with 35 stolen bases this year and will likely break it this weekend, as the Longhorns are also playing in an NCAA regional this weekend. Not a bad first year by any means.

Also, Rialto graduate Bree Evans is playing right now for Michigan in the NCAA regional in Ann Arbor. Evans, an outfielder and leadoff hitter, will likely see her season end fairly soon however, as the Wolverines are down 8-3 in the sixth inning to Notre Dame in an elimination game.

Chino wide receiver/defensive back Promise Amadi went through a wild ride this past week, committing to Hawaii on an official visit this past weekend after making a soft commitment to New Mexico State the weekend before. The situation is detailed further in Clay Fowler's blog here.

Either way, the commitment makes him the second Cowboy player to verbally commit during the past month, joining Arizona State commit Quentin Pedroza - who is still getting attention from Utah and USC. The 6-foot, 180-pound senior was a second-team all-Sun utility selection, as he caught 46 passes for 790 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for another 503 yards on 50 carries and 14 scores. Amadi also had 30 tackles and five interceptions in helping the Cowboys to an 11-1 record and a Mt. Baldy League championship.

Here is the complete breakdown of Division I-A and Division I-AA signees per high school and per college.

By High School:
1. Upland 4; 2 tie. Cajon 3; Colony 3; 4 tie. Arroyo Valley 2; Diamond Ranch 2; Etiwanda 2; Los Osos 2; Rancho Cucamonga 2; Redlands 2; Redlands East Valley 2; 11 tie. Aquinas 1; Ayala 1; Bloomington 1; Colton 1; Diamond Bar 1; Eisenhower 1; Kaiser 1; Norco 1; Pomona 1; Roosevelt 1; San Bernardino 1; San Dimas 1; Yucaipa 1.

Obviously Upland was the big winner individually, especially since they had two Pac-10 guys (Josh Nunes and Osahon Irabor) and a Big Ten guy (Davion Fleming). But the city of San Bernardino had seven players (Aarein Booker, Chris Bradford, Daron Griffin, Walter Kazee, Michael Philipp, Marlon Pollard and J.P. Ragan) sign, with Colton's Nat Berhe giving the SAL another signee.

By University
1. UCLA 5; 2 tie. Oregon State 3; San Diego State 3; 4 tie. Fresno State 2; Idaho 2; New Mexico State 2; Northwestern 2; 8 tie. Air Force 1; Arizona State 1; Cal Poly SLO 1; Colorado State 1; Columbia 1; Louisville 1; Montana 1; Navy 1; New Mexico 1; Northern Arizona 1; South Florida 1; Southern Utah 1; Stanford 1; SUNY Stony Brook 1; UNLV 1; Utah 1; UTEP 1; Washington State 1.

A couple things stand out to me. The first one is the dominance of UCLA. Rick Neuheisel seems to recognize the growth of the Inland Empire and made great efforts out here, signing Marlon Pollard, Jayson Allmond, Richard Brehaut, Jared Koster and Brandon Sermons. San Diego State, who "hasn't been out here in years" according to Cajon coach Kim Battin seems to be making an IE effort under new coach Brady Hoke. Oregon State had a big year, while Fresno State continues its steady haul of local talent.

A couple of oddities exist as you go further. One is Northwestern, which picked off Fleming and Arby Fields from the Baseline League despite its location in suburban Chicago. Another is SUNY Stony Brook, who signed Taj Johnson from Upland this year, took Dominick Reyes from Hesperia last year and was in on Daron Griffin. Seems like this Long Island school is a player.

Also, look out for New Mexico State and Eastern Michigan in the future. The Aggies are now coached by former UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker - who is well-versed in the area - while Eastern Michigan is now being coached by Ganesha graduate Ron English. English recruited Southern California well for Michigan while on Lloyd Carr's staff and pulled Titus Teague from Pomona for Louisville while serving as defensive coordinator there this past season. Don't be surprised if the Eagles start coming up in conversation among 2010 recruits.