KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star
HARLINGEN — With the start of the 2017-18 high school softball set to begin soon, Harlingen High’s J’Den Gonzalez secured her future by signing a letter of intent to play softball next season at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas.
“This day means a lot to me,” Gonzalez said. “Just being able to further my education and play at the college level is an accomplishment. When I was a kid, I always told my grandfather that I wanted to play college softball and today shows that I was able to reach that goal and I didn’t let him down.”
Gonzalez is a four-year letterman and plays all three outfield positions for the Lady Cards. Last season Harlingen missed out of the playoffs, but with a new coach and a majority of the starters coming back this year, Gonzalez is aiming to end her high school career on a high note.
“We’re excited that softball is days away,” Gonzalez said. “Coach (Nora) Aguilar expects a lot from us and from Day 1 she has pushed us to get better.”
Gonzalez is the latest softball player to join the list of names that will be playing softball at Jarvis College. Earlier this season, San Benito’s Megan Ybarra and Santa Rosa’s Skyler Ruiz signed letters of intent to play at the East Texas institution.
“I play travel ball with Megan, and I have played against Joanna in school and during travel ball. I’ve talked to Megan and we’re both excited we get a chance to play together at the college level. I know we will make each other better.” Gonzalez said.
It was Gonzalez’s freshman year when she got on the Jarvis radar and then she knew one day she would want to play in Hawkins.
“In September of last year they officially reached out to me, but we had been in contact since my freshman year. I plan on majoring in early childhood education.” Gonzalez concluded.