By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
The Brownsville Pace Lady Vikings soccer program has created a tradition of sending athletes to the college ranks, and Jazul Amaya-Avalos is the newest addition.
On Wednesday, Amaya-Avalos signed to play soccer for Jarvis Christian College in the NAIA. The four-year letterwinner will have her college experience fully funded thanks to her soccer abilities and dedication in the classroom, which earned her the Presidential Scholarship.
“It means so much to me because I come from Mexico, so it’s really hard for me to go to college. Thank God I am getting a full scholarship, so I am going to Jarvis,” Amaya-Avalos said. “Since I was in Mexico I’ve always been in top (of the class). I was so grateful for that and wanted to bring that over here, and I’m glad I could make my mom proud with that.”
Amaya-Avalos played on both sides of the ball during her Pace career. She was primarily a goalkeeper and forward, earning first-team all-district honors in both roles. Along with blocking a lot of goals, she scored 76 in her career to help the Lady Vikings win two District 32-5A championships.
“When I started here as a freshman, the goalie had surgery on her knee, so there was no goalie. My middle school coach (Alfredo) Garza, said, ‘She knows how to be goalie,’” Amaya-Avalos said. “I’d never been goalie for a whole year, and it was so nice. We won district, undefeated and area champs, so that was awesome. I love both positions. It was really fun.”
Jarvis recognized Amaya-Avalos’ talent when she was just a freshman, and their focus on her was appreciated and reciprocated. She had a minor setback her sophomore year when she had to have knee surgery, but Amaya-Avalos credited Pace coach Jesus Villarreal for pushing her through her recovery to get back on the field stronger. She’s going to compete for playing time as a goalie and forward at Jarvis.
Villarreal said even though he’s had 23 girls sign to play college ball in his eight years at Pace, Amaya-Avalos’s signing “is a special one.” He was proud of the way she battled injury and life’s challenges during her career and called her a leader by example.
“We’re happy for her and excited for her,” Villarreal said. “It’s not just about championships. An education is above all, and the fact that she’s getting a free ride thanks to soccer is the most beautiful thing. She’s been a great student. She was the team captain, and not just because she was a senior but because she earned it. Some of these sophomore girls look up to her and want to be like her. Jazul is a quiet person, so more than talking and yelling, she showed it. That’s what made her a leader automatically.”
Villarreal and Garza are among the group of supporters Amaya-Avalos thanked for standing by her through everything and helping her get a free ride to college. She’ll be studying education at Jarvis and wants to be an elementary teacher after graduation. Amaya-Avalos said her advice to younger athletes is to dream big and never give up.
“Definitely (thank) my mom and my grandma. They’ve been there for me since the beginning, and I’m so grateful for that. And my dad is up there helping me, too,” Amaya-Avalos said. “Coach Garza, since the beginning, was there helping me out, never gave up on me, and then Coach Villarreal. I’m so grateful to have coaches like them that never let you down.”