Spartan athletes sign their letters of intent

BERNALILLO — Bernalillo High School held a special ceremony for two athletes who signed their letters of intent inside Spartan Gymnasium May 20.

Bernalillo’s Uriel Castro will play baseball at Eastern New Mexico University, and Gabriel Trujillo will play football for the Salt River Scorpions junior college team in Phoenix, Arizona.

Those there in a show of support were staff, coaches and teammates, including BHS football standouts Ulisses Castro and Nathan Encinias.

“The coaching staff made me feel comfortable and wanted. They want me (for more than) baseball; they want me for their academics, too,” Castro said.

The ceremony began with a word from BHS baseball head coach Aaron Budagher, who spoke highly of Castro as a leader and a player.

“Uriel has been an incredible leader, player, and it’s a honor to have him going there,” said Budagher, who also played baseball for the ENMU Greyhounds.

Castro, a three-sport athlete, played basketball and was the football team’s quarterback for many years. During the baseball season, he led the Spartan team in batting average, hits and stolen bases.

“Believe the older guys when they say it goes by in the blink of an eye,” Castro said. “Bernalillo is a good school ...you have people that have your back here.”

Next, BHS offensive coordinator Blake Miller introduced Trujillo, who had been a tackling machine for the football team.

“This is all just a testament to how hard he works. Gabe’s got a great attitude, dude is working every single day, and this is incredible for the program,” Miller said.

This past season, Trujillo, who plays off-ball linebacker, racked up 117 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss. He also capitalized on blitzing opportunities, logging five sacks.

“Thank you for all the support. It has been such a long way. Everyone comforted me ... and told me this was a place I could stay,” Trujillo said.

It was an emotional day for Trujillo and his family, who celebrated his father by having a giant picture of him at the signing table.

“Unfortunately, he passed away during COVID, but like I said, I always try to live my glory through my father. The last name is the biggest thing I want to represent,” Trujillo said. “All glory to God.”