Stormin' Through: Eight Cleveland seniors sign letters of intent

RIO RANCHO — Eight Cleveland High School students signed their letters of intent in the gymnasium in front of a sea of spectators April 30.

“It shows a lot of hard work and dedication to a sport that I dedicated my whole life to. All the sacrifices that me and my family have had to give up to achieve this moment ... I love every second about it,” said Cleveland soccer player Juan Ramirez, who signed to play for Nebraska Wesleyan next season.

The eight students were Kiranjit Ahluwalia, soccer, Arizona Christian; Arissa C’deBaca, soccer, Eastern New Mexico; Ramirez; Austin Clark, soccer, Dean College; Emma Wild, volleyball, New Jersey IT; Gabriel “Sharkey” Marquez, football, New Mexico Military Institute; Ava Schlosser, swimming, University of New Mexico; and Titus Sutton, basketball, Glendale Community College.

Schlosser recently celebrated an individual state championship win in the 50-meter freestyle and has broken several records for Cleveland swimming. She will now swim for her hometown Lobos.

Ahluwalia and C’deBaca have played on head coach Gregory Rusk’s squad since they were freshmen and helped the Storm win a state championship in 2023. C’deBaca had a knack for scoring goals with her power shots while Ahluwalia logged assists.

“I loved the campus, I loved the coaches, I loved the community and the overall goals and morals of the college as well,” Ahluwalia said.

Ramirez and Clark were mainstays on head coach Shaun Gill’s squad as well, helping bring home a state banner in 2022. Ramirez played true center back and was a tenacious defender. Clark was a midfielder and a field general with a high IQ of the game.

“It’s not just a team, we’re a family. So, having everyone supporting me here, it just feels amazing,” Clark said of all his teammates that attended.

Marquez and Wild recently won Cleveland Athlete of the Year, which is a very prestigious award voted on by Cleveland coaches.

“Cleveland volleyball and the culture of competitiveness and winning just shapes you as a person,” Wild said.

Wild, an outside hitter, started playing volleyball her freshman year and will play Division I volleyball next season.

“I started as a gymnast, and I wanted to continue playing sports. I really just fell in love with volleyball the moment I started playing it,” Wild said.

Marquez and Wild look to bring that high character and leadership to their respective colleges next year.

“New Mexico Military Institute — it’s a great path, a great school, great coaches, and it’s going to set me up well,” Marquez said.

Marquez, who was an offensive guard for head coach Robert Garza’s team, spoke very highly of the Storm coaches and players. He helped Cleveland win two state championships during his time on varsity.

“I learned how to be a man,” Marquez said of his time with Cleveland football.

Sutton, who was named to the All-District team, will take his talents to Glendale, Arizona, along with his leadership, grit and dedication. Every day, Sutton drives an hour to get to Cleveland and then another hour to get home.

“This is where all my friends were. I wanted to be here, and this is where I wanted to be,” Sutton said. “That hour drive isn’t anything compared to this [gestures to all around him].”