SAN ANTONIO — UTSA head coach Michelle Cheatham announced on Thursday that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join her program for the 2018 season.
The group consists of Brycen Blinco (Austin, Texas/Lake Travis HS), Hannah Boring (San Antonio, Texas/Johnson HS), Celeste Borza (Cerritos, Calif./Cerritos HS), Michelle Iparraguirre (San Antonio, Texas/Incarnate Word HS), Madison Nelson (Deer Park, Texas/Deer Park HS), Becky Smith (Lake Jackson, Texas/Brazoswood HS), Tori Villarreal (San Antonio, Texas/Antonian HS) and Ashlynn Walls (Pearland, Texas/Pearland HS).
"Our 2017 signing class is a very talented group of student-athletes that are going to make immediate contributions to our program," Cheatham said. "The are very well-rounded individuals on the field, in the classroom and altogether just great people that we are excited to have at UTSA."
Below is a breakdown of the signing class.
Brycen Blinco • SS
Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)
Club Team: Texas Blaze Bonola
• Selected as a 2016 USA Elite Top 30 All-American
• Was a first-team all-district pick in 2015 after helping Lake Travis to the Region II State Finals
• Also earned Lake Travis Player of the Week honors that season
• Honorable mention all-district as a freshman in 2014
• Was ranked No. 9 in the nation at the 2014 East Coast National Elite On-Deck Combine
Cheatham on Blinco …
"I am excited for Brycen and all of the tools that she brings to the table. She is an athletic middle infielder with a big stick to match. She is a fun player to watch and I am looking forward to the opportunity to coach such a hard working student-athlete."
Hannah Boring • OF
San Antonio, Texas (Johnson HS)
Club Team: American Freedom
• Four-year varsity starter for the Jaguars
• Led Johnson in homers as a freshman and sophomore
• Also was an academic all-district selection
Cheatham on Boring …
"Recruited as an outfielder, Hannah is a very versatile athlete that has played multiple positions throughout her high school career. Her athleticism is something that makes her a very exciting player and a great addition to the Roadrunners family."
Celeste Borza • C
Cerritos, Calif. (Cerritos HS)
Club Team: Cal A's
• 2016 All-Area Honorable Mention pick
• Played internationally in the Canada Cup
• Earned the Volunteer Service Award by the City of Cerritos
Cheatham on Borza …
"Celeste is someone that first caught my eye by her ability to run the defense and pitching staff from behind the plate. Rarely at the younger levels do you see a catcher that is as comfortable being a leader on the field as she is. She is going to do great things as a Roadrunner."
Michelle Iparraguirre • P
San Antonio, Texas (Incarnate Word HS)
Club Team: Texas Blaze Bonola
• Was named first-team TAPPS All-District 2-5A, first-team TAPPS All-State and to the state All-Tournament Team last season
• Earned academic All-State honors in 2016
• Also was named to the San Antonio Express-News All-Area Super Team
• As a freshman at Judson in 2014 she was a first-team All-District 25-5A pick and earned academic all-district honors
Cheatham on Iparraguirre …
"Another hometown kid, Michelle has done a tremendous job in the circle and at the plate throughout her career. She is someone that we are happy to have gotten out of our own backyard and she has the capability to do great things moving forward."
Madison Nelson • P
Deer Park, Texas (Deer Park HS)
Club Team: Impact Gold
• 2016 first-team All-District 22-6A
• 2016 Academic All-District 22-6A
• Also a member of the National Honor Society
Cheatham on Nelson …
"Madison has a commanding presence on the mound and it is a lot of fun to watch her compete. She has many strong tools in her pitching arsenal and I am excited for what the future holds for her here at UTSA."
Becky Smith • P
Lake Jackson, Texas (Brazoswood HS)
Club Team: Firecrackers HTX
• Member of the varsity squad for three years
• Helped lead the Lady Bucs to district and area titles in 2016
• 2016 first-team all-district and second-team all-county
• Also was nominated for the VYPE.com Houston Area Player of the Year Award
Cheatham on Smith …
"Becky is another addition in the circle for us out of the 2017 class. She has the ability to mix it up and keep hitters off balance with a variety of pitches. She is a true Roadrunner and we are excited to have her be a part of this team."
Tori Villarreal • 1B/C
San Antonio, Texas (Antonian HS)
Club Team: Texas Bombers
• Twice named TAPPS 5A All-State (2014 & 2016)
• Three-time TAPPS All-District 2-5A selection (2014-16)
• Also named to the state all-tournament team twice (2014-15)
• Earned academic all-state honors in 2016 and is a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society
Cheatham on Villarreal …
"Every time I watched Tori play throughout her recruitment she would leave me in awe of the sheer power and discipline that she provides at the plate. She consistently played against some of the top competition in the nation and knows what it takes to be successful at a higher level of play. This is definitely a hometown kid that could threaten the record books here."
Ashlynn Walls • SS
Pearland, Texas (Pearland HS)
Club Team: Texas Aces Express
• Three-time first-team all-district honoree
• Also named district Newcomer of the Year as a freshman
• First-team All-State and All-Region last season
• Also named team MVP and was selected to play in the TGCA All-Star Game
Cheatham on Walls …
"Ashlynn is a tremendous athlete that has a knack for getting on base and a mind for the game. She is so smooth defensively that she makes difficult plays look simple. I am thrilled that she has chosen to play at UTSA and wear the blue and orange."