Several more Santa Cruz County athletes are on the rolls of college teams. Nogales High School has about a dozen ready to go, and Rio Rico High has another two who recently signed. “I was talking with our principal, Mark Valenzuela, and he said he doesn’t remember the last time we had that many kids going on to play college ball or college sports,” Nogales High Athletic Director Tim Colgate said. “I’m truly going to miss these kids. It’s been great watching them grow these four years.”

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Nogales High

From Nogales, Erick Marquez will play football at Pima Community College and Max Montt at Mesa Community College. “Eric’s doing a great job,” coach Vince Villanucci said. “In two years, he’s put so much strength on in the weight room. Eric’s a big man and he’s only getting bigger. When he surrounds himself with other big offensive linemen it’s going to help him out tremendously. Eric’s very coachable and he’s a team player. He’s going to do well at Pima. I highly recommended him when I talked to coach (Pat) Nugent.”

Marquez is excited about the prospect. “Glenn Howell, my trainer (Pima strength and conditioning coach), also put a word in for me. I was also getting looked at by Eastern Arizona. They’re the 15th ranked team in the nation, but there is a better coaching staff at Pima. Coach (Jeff) Green (offensive line coach) at Pima is new there. We’ll be better this year.”

Marquez plans to study nutritional sciences at Pima. “I’m going to start my own business in sports nutrition and training,” he said.

Marquez’s father, Benjamin, thinks Erick will do great. “He’s working so hard for that. The scholarship will help a lot, for sure,” he said.

Montt is accepting a full ride from Mesa Community College. “I was invited to walk on at Arizona State and New Mexico State, but I decided to take the money,” Montt said.

Montt plans to study kinesiology (alternative therapy). “I’m looking toward a (career as) strength and conditioning coach or athletic trainer,” he said.

His parents are enthusiastic about Montt’s scholarship. “They like it a lot,” he said. “I’m going to save them a lot of money. It’s a good opportunity there. The football team is looking good. They have a new coaching staff, all with NFL experience.”

Additionally, Apache Bobby Torres is headed for Cochise Community College to play baseball along with Juan Espiricueta, who signed earlier.

Rio Rico High

From Rio Rico, Hannah Simpson signed to play basketball at Eastern Arizona Community College and Omar Hernandez is set for cross-country and track at Central Arizona College. “I’m in an honors program there, so my tuition is paid, and I get $2,000 on the side,” he said.

Hernandez talked with the coaches at Central and he said they seem like nice people. The head coach is Mike Gray. His scholarship is half-and-half, academics and sports. Hernandez maintains a 3.976 grade point average. “Everybody is pretty much happy for me. My coach, Roger Bristow, helped me out because I was undecided among some schools. He gave me some advice, my parents gave me advice and my teammates supported my decision,” he said.

Bristow said Hernandez had good choices. “I think Omar could go anywhere he wants to. He has a good balance of sports and academics. He’ll make them just as proud of him as we are,” he said.

Hernandez plans to get an associates degree in accounting and move on to a higher level. “I’m excited. I’ve been waiting for so long to do this and, now, I’m ecstatic,” he said.