A new month means a new host of San Joaquin County athletes have taken the next step in their athletic careers signing their national letter of intent.
So far around 50 SJ County athletes have signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level throughout the 2023-24 sports season. These athletes have committed to playing at the NCAA DI, DII, DII, NAIA, and junior college levels making them a part of the tiny percentage of athletes to compete past high school.
"Fewer than 2% of high school students go on to play collegiate sports that makes you guys a part of an elite group," said Darcy Altheide, Bear Creek's athletic director during the Bruins Spring signing day on May 2. "I'm blessed to be a part of these moments, getting to celebrate our students' accomplishments in their future endeavors and all that. It makes me so proud."
Here are five more athletes who have added their names to the list of SJ County athletes to sign their letter of intent this spring and in May.
If you know an athlete from SJ County who has committed or signed a letter of intent in the spring semester that is missing from this list, contact sports reporter Shannon Belt at sbelt@recordnet.com with their information.
(Athletes listed in alphabetical order)
Armani Guidry-Austin
High school: Bear Creek
Sport: Volleyball
College: Goshen College
Summary: After leading the Bruins to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 playoff appearance this past season, Guidry-Austin will be taking her talents to Indiana to play NAIA ball. The four-year varsity player racked up 427 total kills, 269 digs, and a hitting percentage of close to 30% during her time at Bear Creek. She will join the Maple Leafs women’s volleyball program that finished with an 8-24 overall record last year.
Brelynn Brice
High school: Lincoln
Sport: Basketball
College: Long Beach State
Summary: Brice will be heading to SoCal to play DI ball at Long Beach State this upcoming fall. The 6-foot center led the Trojans this past season in rebounds (9.8) and steals per game (2.8). She also led her team in field goal percentage while averaging over eight points per game. Brice played a key role in getting Lincoln to the SJS Division 1 playoffs this past season.
More: Stockton-area boys volleyball: Fan's Choice Player of the Year ballots - 20 choices
Destiny Garcia
High school: Bear Creek
Sport: Softball
College: Gannon University
Summary: Garcia will be taking her talents to Pennsylvania to play DII softball for the Golden Knights. The two-way player has shined on the mound and in the Bruins infield this season helping them to a 10-8-1 overall record so far this season. She will look to be a leader for Bear Creek as it closes out the regular season and prepares for the SJS playoffs.
Niara Mangrum
High school: Mountain House
Sport: Basketball
College: UC Merced
Summary: Mangrum shined for the Mustangs this past season at the small forward and power forward position. She averaged eight points per game, led her team in blocks, and was their best free-throw shooter shooting 53% from the foul line. Mountain House ended the year with a Western Athletic Conference championship and an SJS Division 2 playoff appearance. Mangrum will play NAIA ball for the Bobcats this upcoming fall.
More: 'This is redemption': Stagg softball beats SJAA rival Bear Creek
Mia Santiago
High school: Bear Creek
Sport: Soccer
College: Mississippi College
Summary: After being a brick wall for the Bruin's defense this past season, Santiago will be heading to Mississippi in the fall to play DII soccer for the Choctaws. She ended her senior year averaging over five saves per match and a goals-against average of just below 60%. Santiago was a catalyst for Bear Creek’s SJS Division 2 playoff appearance this past season.
Record reporter Shannon Belt covers sports. She can be reached at sbelt@recordnet.com or on Twitter @ShannonBelt3. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.
This article originally appeared on The Record: 2024 Signing Day: Five more San Joaquin County high school athletes sign letters of intent
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