BROWNSVILLE — Three graduating seniors from Brownsville Lopez will be heading to college in a variety of different sports.
Lady Lobos athletes Marleen Salazar, Natali Ramirez and Sofia Castillo will represent the school at the college level.
Salazar signed her letter of intent to join the University of Texas at San Antonio’s NCAA Division I powerlifting program. She had a successful lifting career at Lopez, finishing this season as the Region IV-5A big school champion.
“It feels unreal because there was a lot of obstacles to go to UTSA,” Salazar said. “Luckily, everything worked itself out, so I feel really grateful for that.”
The Roadrunners signee had a solid chance of winning state but bowed out after trying a really heavy bench press. Salazar’s regional championship total was more than 100 pounds than the state champion posted.
UTSA’s powerlifting team has recruited in the Rio Grande Valley this year. Salazar said other girls from the area going to UTSA is very empowering.
“We come from very strong families,” she said. “We want to prove something to ourselves. The Valley girls definitely have something in them. They want to go and push themselves to their limits, from what I have seen.”
Salazar plans to major in political science with a minor in politics and law. She hopes to participate in UTSA’s summer law program to bolster her resume for law school.
“I am excited to get to see other girls from Lopez signing as well and following their dreams,” she said. “As well as seeing myself moving forward. I am grateful for having my family, teachers and coaches here, also the community.”
Golf regional qualifier Natali Ramirez will be moving to the Hill Country to attend Schreiner University.
“I feel very blessed, excited and thankful for this opportunity,” she said. “I have played golf for a very long time, so it feels good to accomplish a goal that I have had.”
Ramirez established herself as one of the best female golfers in the East Valley. Her 90 average was seventh-best in the Brownsville area.
“I think I was able to accomplish what I wanted to,” she said. “I know that I could have done better at some tournaments, but golf as a sport is a mind game so every day is not going to be perfect. I reached my goals from when I started.”
Ramirez will major in nursing at Schreiner and is ready to hit the courses in the Kerrville area.
Lady Lobos basketball and volleyball standout Sofia Castillo will continue her basketball career at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie.
“I have always dreamt of this,” she said. “I did not think that was possible. Right now, the feeling is super surreal. I am so excited to play the sport that I grew up playing. My whole life revolves around basketball.”
One of the reasons Castillo did not think it was possible was because of the lack of really good girls basketball players at Lopez. She hopes to play guard and was recruited after attending a camp at the university.
Castillo plans to study health science while in Waxahachie. The Lady Lobos senior hopes to find a job one day in sports medicine and was inspired by the treatment she received during an injury to her back.
“I just want to say thank you to all of my coaches,” she said. “They all contributed to my success. I would not be here without them. Also, my parents and my friends, thank you.”
