MISSION — Sharyland High senior Delilah Vega has spent the last four years blazing trails as a standout cross country and track runner for the Rattlers. Now, she plans to do the same at the next level while also receiving a college education.
On Wednesday, Vega signed a national letter of intent to run for UTRGV in front of her family, friends, teammates and coaches inside the Sharyland High gymnasium.
“This day is extremely important. I’ve been wishing for this day since I was a freshman,” Vega said. “As a freshman, I wanted to compete in college in cross country and track, so having this opportunity, it means so much to me and to my family because I’m a first-generation college student, so going to college and competing there is super big.”
With her parents’ support, Vega earned the opportunity by working hard at her craft and racking up a number of honors while running for the Rattlers.
“As a parent, you want your kid to do better than what you did, so, to me, it’s very important,” Vega said about the opportunity to receive a college education. “I feel accomplished, making my parents extremely proud going to college and competing at the same time. I know it’s going to be tough, but I know we’ll follow through with it.”
During her four years at Sharyland High, Vega qualified for the regional meet four times and qualified for state twice in cross country. As a freshman, she was named district Newcomer of the Year and as a sophomore was named the district’s Most Improved State Qualifier. Vega also received all-district recognition in each of her four years with the Rattlers. She was also a big part of Sharyland’s eighth-place team finish at the 2019 UIL state meet during her senior year.
Vega will be joining a program on the rise with UTRGV. The cross country team placed sixth at the Western Athletic Conference Meet on Nov. 2.
“I think we have an extremely good program and all I want to do is get in there and add to the goals that they have set and help them reach them. They have really good coaches, and I’m excited to go and be part of the team,” she said.