Four High Desert girl athletes, including 3 from Oak Hills, highlight National Signing Day
After falling in love with Bridgeport, Connecticut — known as “the Park City” — during a visit last month, Paityn Thibodeaux was one of four area athletes to make good on verbal commitments Wednesday afternoon surrounded by family and friends.
The senior at Academy for Academic Excellence, in Apple Valley, signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her softball career at the University of Bridgeport.
Thibodeaux said she visited the campus in October and fell in love with the softball program and the vibe of the Bridgeport area.
“I’ve been dreaming of this day for a long time,” said Thibodeaux, who plans on majoring in kinesiology/physical therapy. “I’m so very grateful to the University of Bridgeport for this opportunity to play Division 2 softball. I’m blessed with an amazing support system from my travel ball coaches, high school coaches, teachers, friends, family, teammates and especially my parents. Thank you to everyone who has helped me on this journey. I’m so excited.”
Thibodeaux is a three-year letterman for the Knights and helped the team to a third-place finish in the Cross Valley League standings last season, hitting for a .567 batting average with three home runs, 18 RBI, 27 runs and 17 stolen bases.
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Three athletes from Oak Hills also signed with universities on Wednesday afternoon, all located in California.
Delani Crawford, a center for the Bulldogs, signed with California Baptist University to continue her basketball career.
A pair of soccer teammates, Alyssa Vernon and Takoah Castillo, also made good on their commitments.
Vernon, who earned a spot on the All-Mojave River League First Team last season, is heading to California State University, San Bernardino after graduating this year.
Castillo signed her letter to continue playing soccer at Sonoma State University.
The season for the Oak Hills girls basketball team begins on Nov. 14 at Northwood, while the girls soccer team opens on Nov. 30 at Silverado.
Daily Press reporter Jose Quintero may be reached at 760-951-6274 or JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @J0seQuintero, and on Instagram at @VVDailyPress_Sports.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Four High Desert girl athletes highlight National Signing Day
