Fall signing day at RRHS: Rams ink college futures

RIO RANCHO — It’s official!

While several Rio Rancho student-athletes have announced their college commitments in the past weeks, Wednesday afternoon’s signing ceremony inside the Ram Athletic Center finally put pen to paper.

Tables were lined up in front of the gym bleachers, allowing friends and family to support their athletes in this step toward their future collegiate careers.

Signing day, while focused on inking letters of intent, is more of an opportunity to celebrate. Families brought balloons and decorations for each athlete, colored by their future university or college.

It is also an opportunity for RRHS to show its appreciation, with Athletic Director Sal Gonzales giving some shoutouts before the signing.

“I’ve seen what they do at other schools, and I can tell you that if you play sports at Rio Rancho High School, that’s already like going to college,” Gonzales said. “Our coaches tell us they have kids come back and say that these drills, the things that we’re doing, were just as hard or harder than playing for their college coaches.”

Gonzales gave a moment of recognition to the families and coaches in attendance, who have been a part of these athletes’ journey every step of the way.

Soon enough, it was time to sign.

Student athletes involved:

Rio Rancho Girl’s Soccer

Kieara Trujillo-Garcia, Fort Lewis College

Madeline McIntyre, New Mexico Highlands

Rio Rancho Softball

Lily Rose Larrabee, University of Texas at El Paso

Jordan Tenorio, Eastern Florida

Bella Jarvis, Northeast Community College

Rio Rancho Volleyball

Briland Kienle, Ottawa University: Arizona (OUAZ)

Overall, it was a great fall signing day at RRHS. Next up? Cleveland High School will have its signing day on Tuesday, Nov. 18.