RGV Capsules: Lopez's Celedon, South's Torres sign with UTB-TSC
Natasha Celedon and Patricia Torres signed Red River Athletic Conference letters of intent to join the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College women's soccer team during a signing ceremony Wednesday.
Celedon, a senior at Lopez, plays the goalkeeper position. Torres, who graduated from Harlingen South in 2008, is a midfielder.
"We are getting two quality student-athletes in Natasha and Patricia," Scorpion head coach Nik Barjaktarevic said. "Both bring different abilities becoming Scorpions."
Celedon was a four-year starter at goalkeeper for Rivera and Lopez, playing two years for each school, and played two years for the Lobos' softball team. She was all-District 32-5A during her junior and senior year and was named to The Brownsville Herald's 2011 All-Metro team. She plans to major in special education.
"We expect a lot in years to come from Natasha," Barjaktarevic said. "She is also a fierce competitor, athlete and someone who has a lot of potential to become a top goalkeeper being challenged here starting in fall. She was a major part for Lopez High School team that had an excellent year. She also has a ton of passion for the game and this is exactly what we want from each one of our players."
"UTB-TSC has a great teaching program and it's close to home," Celedon said. "I want to encourage other girls that anything is possible if you love what you do."
Torres was a National Merit Scholar and distinguished scholar at Harlingen South, where she was named All-Valley Most Valuable Player. She was also named to the all-district team three times. Torres played one season at Our Lady of the Lake in 2008-09 and was enrolled at UTB-TSC during the 2010-11 academic year. She is majoring in nursing.
"Pat comes from a big soccer family. since her dad is a coach," Barjaktarevic said. "Harlingen South High School and the Celtics Soccer Club really carved her to be the soccer player she is today. I had a chance to get to know her really well during the spring semester. Having played at college level before she has that extra experience, and she can be a fierce competitor for us in midfield comes fall. Her main asset is her knowledge as well as passion for the game as she juggles two extremely demanding programs with nursing and soccer and showed us this spring she can excel in both.
"I want to make a contribution to a future national championship," Torres said. "Being a part of a successful, hard-working and committed team, and developing life-long friendships is important to me."
-- UTB-TSC Services
Independent Baseball
Fernandez's son signs with 'Wings
HARLINGEN – The North American League’s Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings announced Wednesday that infielder Jonathan Fernandez (6-foot-0, 175) has signed with the team for the 2011 season. Fernandez is the son of former major leaguer Tony Fernandez, who spent 17 years in the big leagues.
Jonathan Fernandez, 23, will play his first full season after stints with the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays and Auburn of the short season New York Penn League. During the 2010 season, Fernandez was not charged with an error playing a majority of the season at second base along with a few games at third.
Fernandez’s father, Tony, was a five time all-star and won four Gold Glove awards while playing shortstop for seven different squads. Tony Fernandez completed his major league career in 2001 after making his debut in 1983.
“I saw Jonathan play at a showcase this past spring training, he went 3-for-4 against a high-A team” WhiteWings manager Eddie Dennis said. “He is a good defensive player and it helps him having Tony as his father, it helps bring experience into the locker room.”
The WhiteWings open the season with a four game series against the Edinburg Roadrunners from May 25 through 28 at Edinburg Baseball Stadium. The WhiteWings play host to the new McAllen Thunder from May 29 through June 1 in their home-opening series.
-- WhiteWings Services
