EDINBURG — Edinburg Vela’s baseball, football and soccer programs have established winning traditions since the school opened its doors. On Wednesday, four standout SaberCats from those three sports signed to take their games to the college level next year.
Senior Justin Navarro signed to play college football at Texas Lutheran, senior Natalia Cortez signed to play college soccer at Texas Lutheran, and seniors Jake Dufner and Bobby Garcia signed to play college baseball at Our Lady of the Lake inside the Edinburg Vela gym.
Texas Luthern is an NCAA Division III school in Seguin that competes in the American Southwest Conference in football and the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference other sports, including soccer. Our Lady of the Lake is an NAIA school in San Antonio that competes in the Red River Athletic Conference.
JUSTIN NAVARRO
Navarro starred in Edinburg Vela’s secondary as a sophomore and junior before transitioning to the receiver position his senior season and putting up some of the area’s best numbers. All three years, he was a dangerous returner with the ability to break any kickoff or punt for a touchdown.
He’s likely to move back to the defensive side of the ball at TLU, something he looks forward to as a ballhawk who is unafraid to step into the box and make tackles.
“I prefer safety, for sure, and the versatility helps a long way in playing either position,” Navarro said.
NATALIA CORTEZ
Cortez is a four-year letterman who has a knack for scoring on the soccer field. She was voted all-district newcomer of the year as a freshman, a first-team all-district selection and offensive player of the year during her three previous seasons at Vela.
This season, Cortez leads the SaberCats with 31 goals scored, which ranks among the best in the Valley.
The Texas Lutheran women’s soccer team is coming off a season in which it set a program record with 11 conference victories.
JAKE DUFNER
Dufner missed the 2022 baseball season with a shoulder injury but has returned to shutdown form with a 4-0 record this season. He has put together a 0.48 ERA and struck out 21 batters in 14 2/3 innings pitched so far. He also has eight hits for 12 RBIs in 13 games.
“This is just a great feeling. Vela has been there for us since Day 1 and helped us grow as athletes. We’re ready to go to the next level, and I’m glad I get to do it with my friends,” Dufner said.
BOBBY GARCIA
Garcia has shown the ability to be a dominant pitcher with a 12-2 record during his first three seasons with the SaberCats. This year, he has flashed with his bat as well, hitting .444 this season with nine runs scored and five RBIs.
Garcia also started at quarterback for the SaberCats in 2022, when he showed off his dual-threat ability.
“Being here four years and seeing the guys above us graduate and the standards that they set for us, it’s just been great. We’re just trying to raise the bar and meet those expectations,” Garcia said.