La Serna honors college-bound student-athletes


By Stephen Ramirez
steve.ramirez@langnews.com
@SteveRRamirez on Twitter

WHITTIER >> It’s been a decent athletic year for La Serna High School, and twenty four of its athletes enjoyed the just rewards for that success.
All were honored Wednesday in ceremony at the school.
The group was led by football player Enrique Pacheco, who signed with Williamette University (Oregon); girls soccer player Michelle Reed, who signed with Boise State, and softball player Jamie Wren, who signed with Ohio University.
The others are soccer players Jezabelle Rubalcava (Louisiana Tech), Natasha Ortiz (Marymount California), Elizabeth Hernandez (Kansas State), Miranda Yzabal (Whittier), Ashley Yacks (Webster, of St. Louis), and Matt Alcala (Williamette); softball players Elizabeth Brautigam (Hamilton, New York), Samantha Martinez (California Marymount), Taylor Becerra (Arizona State) and Victoria Ayala (Detroit-Mercy); volleyball player Samantha Neely (Westmont); water polo player Madison Flareau (Notre Dame College); football player Bryce Oliver (Linfield); baseball players David Ornelas III (Santa Barbara College) and Travis Miller (Wisconsin-Superior); tennis player Carlos Flores (Occidental); swimmer Machaela Torres (Lake Forest, Ill.); bowler Chris Goar (William Penn) and cheer leader Samantha Barron (Cal Baptist).
Pacheco was a key cog for the football team going 10-3 and advancing to the CIF-Southern Section divisional semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. He ranked among area leaders with 2,554 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He was first team all-area.
“I really wanted to be out of California and experience something else besides Southern California,” Pacheco said of his decision to sign with Williamette, where he hopes to continue to play quarterback. “When I took my visit, I really liked the home community. It just kind of felt right.”
Reed has been one of the top soccer players in the area the past four seasons. She helped the Lancers advance to the divisional finals for the third time in the past four seasons. Reed scored 21 goals and was first team all-area and Del Rio League offensive MVP.
“When I started the process, I did a search of what I wanted, where I wanted to go,” Reed said. “I also focused on my major. That’s a big part of it. When I visited, I loved the atmosphere up there. I just feel like I’m going to fit in.”
Wren is the reigning area softball player of the year. She has helped La Serna to a 23-6 record and to the Division 3 quarterfinals. Wren is 22-3 with a 1.22 ERA. She has 155 strikeouts. Wren also leads the team with 33 RBIs.
“I’m so happy, because it felt like home,” Wren said. “I was very comfortable going there. I’m real excited.”

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email