La Mirada, St. Paul athletes sign national letters of intent
Softball players Gabriela Gandara, left (CSU Dominguez Hills), Elisa Gulfin, center (University of Nebraska), and Julissa Detrinidad, right (St. Martins University) signs their Letters of Intent during a ceremony at St. Paul High School. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
LA MIRADA - November 9th is a big day for high school athletes, as all their work they put in over the last four years finally pays off.
It is called National Letter of Intent Day.
Four athletes from St. Paul and four from La Mirada had ceremonies recently and their dreams of playing at the next level is coming true.
“(Wednesday Nov. 9) I committed to Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington,” St. Paul senior softball player Julissa Detrinidad said. “I’m really excited to go there because the weather is different there and I’m excited for the change of scenery. I’m going there to be part of the nursing program.”
That is just one of the eight student-athletes that announced their signings for next year.
Detrinidad, who is one of three softball players to sign a letter of intent to college, continued – “St. Paul really helped me out by giving me a well-rounded education and offered me lots of opportunities that helped me to get into the school itself.
I really feel that they selected me for my personality, and I thought that I really fit well with the team and the personalities that are already there.”
Detrinidad, a four-year varsity starter, is a catcher/first baseman who earned All Del Rey League honors last season.
What is a NLI (National Letter of Intent)
The NLI is a binding agreement between a prospective student-athlete and an NLI member institution.
A prospective student-athlete agrees to attend the institution full-time for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
The institution agrees to provide athletics financial aid for one academic year (two semesters or three quarters).
The penalty for not fulfilling the NLI agreement: A student-athlete has to serve one year in residence (full-time, two semesters or three quarters) at the next NLI member institution and lose one season of competition in all sports.
An important provision of the NLI program is a recruiting prohibition applied after a prospective student-athlete signs the NLI. This prohibition requires member institutions to cease recruitment of a prospective student-athlete once an NLI is signed with another institution.
Four St. Paul student-athletes sign letters of intent
“The amount of work, sacrifice and energy these athletes put forth not only during season but in the off season is amazing,” St. Paul athletic director Rich Avina said. “The families and these young athletes, three of which are Legacy families to St Paul High School, have committed to their development and to see it be rewarded on this NLI day is spectacular. The community of St. Paul is extremely proud.”
There was a buzz on the campus of St. Paul High School, as three senior softball players signed their Letters of Intent at the National Letter of Intent signing ceremony held in the St. Paul High School gym.
Also signing an NLI was senior baseball player Devin Munoz, who was surrounded by his teammates and coaches at a ceremony in the school gym.
Detrinidad, Gaby Gandara and Elisa Gulfin are the trio of players who made it official from the softball team.
All three softball players and baseball player had individual tables that were decorated with the respective school colors and memorabilia.
Gandara, Detrinidad and Gulfin’s signing brings a total of 15 softball players moving on to play at the next level in the past five years.
The previous 12 are: Camille Marin, C (Iowa State); Diamond Sandoval, OF (University of New Mexico); Tatum Anzaldo, IF (Cal Berkeley); Nia Carter, IF (Iowa); Megan Gutierrez, 3B/1B (New Mexico Highlands); Savannah Pineda-Chavez, Utility (New Mexico Highlands); Jordin King, P (New Mexico State); Destiny Salamanca, IF (Saint Martin’s University); Jayne Sepulveda, SS/2B (Southern Utah University); Kat Serna, P (University of Iowa), Nadine Marquez, INF (Rio Honda College); and Malia Pieper, C (Cerritos College).
In addition, St. Paul softball coach Charles Gandara figures by the end of this next season, four more players could be added to that list.
Casey Morales, St. Paul Baseball coach – “Devin made a great choice going to the University of Oklahoma. We’re really proud to have had a part of him and able to see him grow. As he said in his speech, he’s looking forward to some unfinished business this year in the season. With his guidance and leadership, we will be looking for big things this year. It’s set in stone for him to move on to the next level and get some great experiences there and hopefully he continues on from there.”
Elisa Gulfin, Senior pitcher -
Gulfin, who transferred to St. Paul in the fall of her junior year from Brea Olinda, signed with the University of Nebraska. The right-handed pitcher missed the entire 2022 season due to an MCL surgery but has rehabbed over the summer and is looking to make a major impact for the Swordsmen this season.
“I chose Nebraska because of the great academic support and the competitive softball environment,” said Gulfin, who has been playing softball for 11 years and is going to major in Psychology and minor in Business or Kinesiology, at Nebraska.
“I was injured last year, so this will be my first season.
“I chose softball because I have always been in love with the sport. It was always something special to me when I stepped on the field.”
Gulfin started pitching when she was seven years old.
“I just never stopped working on it,” said Gulfin, of her pitching. “There is no specific reason why I kept pitching. I just fell in love with it.
“It just became my outlet for everything.”
Gaby Gandara, senior outfielder – She is a four-year varsity starter and will continue her playing career for the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros. The outfielder is a two-time First Team All-Del Rey League recipient and was named to the 2022 Whittier Daily News All-Area Softball Team.
“I’m excited to go there because the program and the school is a great fit for me,” said Gandara, whose father is the head softball coach at St. Paul. “I’ll still be able to live at home which is important to me.
“Every time I go to the campus, I get more excited about going to school and playing softball there next year.
“I think I’ve had a lot of great coaches that helped me get here today and taught me how to work hard and just kind of remain persistent in all that I do,” Gandara added. “I take a lot of pride in my work ethic.
“During Covid I worked out almost every single day and just having great support from my family that’s for sure helped me get here today.
“I remember watching Camille (Marin) and Diamond (Sandoval) sign their letters my freshman year and thinking that would never be me,” said Gaby Gandara. “…….and here I am today signing my letter. It’s pretty surreal.”
Baseball player Devin Munoz signs his Letter of Intent to attend the University of Oklahoma during a ceremony at St. Paul High School. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Devin Munoz, senior pitcher – “I’m happy to go to Oklahoma because it’s my dream school and I can’t wait to compete at the next level and work hard,” Munoz said. “I’m going to play baseball and we’re going to win something. “They selected me because I’m a hard worker and ready to compete when and whatever it takes. I will play anything they need. My primary is third and first and I can help them because I’m a utility player.”
Charles Gandara, St. Paul Softball coach – “I’m pretty excited for all three of them (softball), especially for Julissa and Gaby,” Gandara said. “They’ve been here since their freshmen year. I got to see them grow the last three clothes. I’m also excited for Elisa. With her injury last year, she was a little worried about not being able to fulfill her commitment to the University of Nebraska. They’ve stuck with her the whole way and she’s looking to this season and next season as well.
“I think all three of these players are going to have an opportunity to compete for a spot in their freshman year and work their way into the starting lineup.
I think all three of these girls have an outstanding opportunity next year to make it in the starting lineup at each of their schools.”
Four La Mirada athletes sign NLI’s
“It’s always beautiful to see these athletes get to realize their dreams,” said La Mirada athletic director Christine Mead, who played softball at the University of Oklahoma. “I’m so excited for them to be able to play their sport at the next level.”
Eric Jeon, senior pitcher/3B, Columbia – “It’s a blessing from God to sign,” said Jeon, who played at Fullerton High his freshman year. “It was a relief. My parents and coaches invested a lot of time in me. Seeing everyone at the signing was great.
It’s a blessing to move on to the next level.
“It was always a dream of mine to play DI baseball. Signing those papers was a recognition for my parents. I give props to my parents because their hard work spread down to me.”
With his dad (Brad) working late hours, Eric’s mom (Jenny) would often throw batting practice to him. “She fell in love with the game,” Eric said.
Eric remembers a story when his mom got a little too close when throwing batting practice. “I asked her to come a little closer when we were in the front yard,” he remembers. “I hit her in the forehead, but that one swing solidified the moment,” he said.
Jeon, who is a four-year varsity player and has a big bat, has huge respect for La Mirada baseball coach, Jimmy Zurn. “Coach Zurn is a huge baseball guy. He and his team backed me in going to DI. It was a big step. He created this brotherhood and community. I’m excited to play this last year.”
Eric will get the chance to play with his brother, Kevin, on varsity this season. They first played together on Double A as youths. The team went 21-0.
“Eric is a special young man, both on and off the field,” La Mirada baseball coach Jimmy Zurn said. “He has put forth a lot of time and effort both in the classroom and on the baseball field to set himself up for a successful life by attending such a prestigious university as Columbia. Everyone at LM is so proud of him.”
Cassandra Villanueva – soccer player – Cassie will be going to UNLV. She is a three-year varsity player and has been on the team. She has been a key player, especially in CIF.
“I’m going to the University of Nevada Las Vegas and I’m going to play soccer in high school this season and college,” she said. “I love the coach (UNLV) and love the atmosphere. I love the field and when you go on the field you love that too.
“I played my sophomore and junior year and my coaches helped me a lot. They pushed me a lot to be the best I can be. They gave me advice whenever I needed it.”
Cassie was a First Team All-CIF (2021) and Second Team All-CIF (2022). She was also the Suburban league Offensive Player of the Year 2021 and 2022, First Team All- league in 2021 and 2022. She scored 10 goals and had 9 assists in 2021 and 23 goals and 17 assists in 2022.
Jaylinn Mitchell, senior boys soccer striker, Southern Methodist University -
“I decided to go to SMU because I felt very welcome by the coaches,” said Mitchell, who is a two-year varsity player. “I can see myself there for the next four years.
“La Mirada has prepared me to go to college on lessons on how to be a student-athlete. They’ve prepared me for the next level.
“I look forward to continuing my soccer career and hopefully majoring in kinesiology.”
Mikayla Gonzalez, Soccer, University of North Dakota – “I’m going to the University of North Dakota to play DI soccer and continue my education and I’m going to be studying biology. North Dakota was watching at a showcase for my club team, and they reached out and I went on a visit. I loved the campus, and all of the facilities are very nice, and I really enjoyed it.
I think both club and high school prepared me very well for college. I’m very grateful for (coach Dave) Christensen (and coaches) who believed in me and pulled me up in my freshman year. They are very supportive for all of the coaches that I’ve had.”
Mikayla is a Second team All-CIF team member in 2021 and 2022.
Suburban league Defensive Player of the year 2022, 1st team All-League in 2021 and 2022.
Soccer players, Cassandra Villanueva, left (UNLV), Jaylinn Mitchell, center (SMU), and Mikayla Gonzalez, right (University of North Dakota) signed their Letters of Intent at La Mirada High School. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
Dave Christensen, La Mirada Girls Soccer coach – “(Cassandra and Mikayla) are the Ying and Yang of our program. Villanueva is our offensive attacking forward, and Gonzalez is our defensive center back. Both have played soccer on the same club teams since they were 6 years old. Both were starters on the 2021 CIF championship team and both were captains last season and this coming season.”
What they said:
Jules Detrinidad, senior catcher, St. Martins University: “St. Paul really helped me out by giving me a well-rounded education and offered me lots of opportunities that helped me to get into the school itself. I really feel that they selected me for my personality, and I thought that I really fit well with the team and the personalities that are already there.
St. Paul supported me by allowing me to do multiple sports and really expanding the people that I talk to and the things that I do. It just gave me the opportunity to be successful.”
Elisa Gulfin, senior pitcher, University of Nebraska: “St. Paul gave me the opportunity to be a captain last year despite my injury.
I learned leadership skills and I was able to work on my mental game and helping other pitchers as a way to strengthen my mental game.
I look forward to the structure and routine of being a collegiate athlete.
I’m going to be able to play the sport I love while getting a paid-for education.”
Gaby Gandara, senior outfielder, Cal State Dominguez Hills: “I’m looking forward to a culture that values hard work and that cares about me as a person, which I see a lot in our St. Paul softball program.
I feel very comfortable around the girls and the great coaching, And I know that at Dominguez hills they have great coaching as well, and they have a great program that I am excited to be part of.”
Devin Munoz, senior pitcher, University of Oklahoma: “At St. Paul the other programs and athletics helped me grow as a person and remember how it is to be a team player and a team leader. So, I’m excited.”
Eric Jeon, senior pitcher/3B, Columbia University: “Honestly, I’m looking forward to Columbia, which is in New York City. It’s Ivy League. I’ve got to bear down those next four years. My parents never thought I’d be going to the Ivy League. I just can’t miss this opportunity.”