As the school year comes to an end, Brahma seniors are choosing their path for the years following their graduation. For the student-athletes at DBHS, many may find opportunities to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. This year, six seniors have revealed their commitments to where they will be playing after their departure as a Brahma.
Competing under the Diamond Bar High School wrestling team for three years, Abigail Alvarado has made her mark in the wrestling program. She has acquired many notable achievements representing the Brahmas, placing twice in the CIF Hacienda League, qualifying for Masters twice, and being part of Team California.
“From being the only girl my first year, to becoming the first ever female captain [at Diamond Bar] has shown me how much I know I can achieve in my sport,” Alvarado said. “I knew that I would be able to excel at the collegiate level based on my passion for the sport and being able to push through the challenges.”
Alvarado has committed to Manchester University, a NCAA Division III school, making history as the first female wrestler of DBHS to continue wrestling in college. She hopes to continue her legacy at Manchester with goals of building up the young wrestling program there, as well as becoming the first All-American team member for female wrestling in their school’s history.
Sophia “SoSo” Hayes will be playing softball at Chaminade University, a NCAA Division II school next fall. Hayes served as a first and third baseman for four years on the Diamond Bar varsity softball team. Ever since starting to play at age six, softball has increasingly grown on Hayes, leading to her decision to pursue the sport at the collegiate level. Hayes has found many opportunities playing on a travel ball team which provided more games and better competition than playing at the recreational level. While traveling to numerous states for tournaments and competitions, Hayes met and connected with college coaches, which opened the door to possible schools she could play for in her future.
Additionally, shortstop Jake Mestas will continue playing baseball at Northwest Nazarene University, a top 25 NCAA Division II school. Mestas has demonstrated his excellence in the sport as a San Gabriel Valley All-Star, a two time First Team All-League member in the Hacienda region, as well as earning the prestigious Gold Glove which is chosen annually by the American Baseball Coaches Association’s All-America Committee to recognize top players.
Baylor Davis has signed with Livingstone College, an NCAA Division II school in North Carolina to continue her volleyball career at the collegiate level.
Having played volleyball for just over five years, she has emerged as a Hall of Fame recipient for her volleyball career at Diamond Bar, she remained a vital part of the teams success.
Davis now has her sights set on contributing her efforts towards winning the Women’s Volleyball Championship at the NCAA Division II level. She is hopeful that her new team can go far.
Swimmer Alexander Canales has committed to swimming at Concordia University Irvine in the fall. Canales has been swimming since the age of five, continuously training at the club level since a very young age. He started his career as a Brahma his sophomore year and has swam under Diamond Bar at the varsity level ever since. Throughout his swim career he has made notable accomplishments including qualifying for CIF twice and serving as varsity team captain.
Canales hopes to further improve his speed and technique at Concordia while bolstering his team towards a conference championship in the spring.
Notable guard Morgan Seshiki will continue her basketball career at the NCAA Division III school, Occidental College.
