By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
LOS FRESNOS — Signing a scholarship to play a sport in college is an opportunity that is afforded only a precious few of the best high school student-athletes.
Allison Spier and Alex Salas, a pair of senior standouts for Los Fresnos in their respective sports, experienced such an event Wednesday at their high school campus.
Fellow students, teammates, coaches, school administrators and family members all gathered to celebrate the two athlete’s achievements with a signing ceremony for each one.
Spier, a four-year starter for the Lady Falcons in soccer, mainly as a defender with superb ball-handling and leadership skills, signed to attend Adelphi University next fall in Adelphi, New York, and play for the NCAA Division II Panthers.
Salas, a first baseman/pitcher/designated hitter who is entering his third season as a starter for the Falcons baseball team, signed his college scholarship to play next school year for Vernon College, a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association located in Vernon, Texas.
During her four years of playing for the Lady Falcons and club teams, Spier has established herself as one of the top high school female players in the Rio Grande Valley. She was named the overall MVP in District 32-6A last season and figures to contend for the award again in 2019. This season, the Lady Falcons are chasing their seventh district title in 10 years.
If the Los Fresnos girls win district again, it will be Spier’s third straight 32-6A championship.
“In my four years, I’ve built a sisterhood with my Los Fresnos teammates, and we’ve had so many great memories,” said Spier, who ranks fifth in her senior class academically and plans to study nursing in college. “We’ve had some tough losses, but also some great memories. I just know I’m going to keep those memories forever and I’m going to treasure them.
“I’ve been working for this goal (to play soccer in college) for the past 10 years,” she added. “When I started playing at age 8, this is where I knew I wanted to be. So it just feels amazing that I’ve finally reached my goal. I feel I’ll be moving on to a greater challenge.
“I’d just like to thank everyone for helping me along the way, especially my parents (Mark and Lisa Spier).”
Patricia K. Hernandez, Spier’s coach with the Lady Falcons, has no doubt that one of her all-time standouts will do well at the next level.
“Allison has brought great leadership to the team,” Hernandez said. “She has been leading by example all four of her years (as a starter). My assistant coach (Juan Diego Luna) and I have seen her develop into the player that she is since middle school.
“I’m extremely proud of Allison,” Hernandez added. “I look forward to seeing nothing but great things from her (in college). I know going out of state is tough, but she’s a person who can handle it.”
Meanwhile, Salas has been a member of the Falcons’ past two district championship teams and would like nothing better than to make it a third as a senior.
Falcons baseball coach Rene Morales said he expects Salas to have even more of a vital role on the ballclub this season.
“He’s been a role player (at different positions) for us the past few years,” Morales said of Salas, an all-district honoree. “I think he’ll be a perfect fit over there (at Vernon College) for what they want to do. Even though he’ll be far away from home, I think he’ll fit in well. You can tell that he’ll work hard.
“It’s always a special day when one of our players signs,” Morales added. “Our program is getting a little better year after year, and we’re trying to motivate these guys to keep their grades up so they can try to play at the next level. That’s what our program is all about.”
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, the right-handed Salas has the size to make an impact beyond high school.
“Playing for the Falcons has actually played a huge role in my success as a baseball player,” said Salas, who expects to play first base in college. “It’s helped me mentally, physically and gotten me stronger. I’ve benefited a lot from this program here.
“This day (and this signing) brings a bit of relief for me,” added Salas, who plans to study business management in college. “I’ve been working hard (in baseball) these past nine years or so, and it’s really paid off. It’s amazing to me now that I’ve been recruited by such a wonderful school.
“I thank everyone who has supported me through this ride with all its ups and downs. Many people have really been there for me.”