The continuous surge of talent that our educational institutions nurture is once again highlighted by the latest batch of National Letter of Intent (NLI) signees recently reported to our staff. The NLI program, a beacon of hope for aspiring student-athletes, marks a pivotal milestone as it ferries them to not just collegiate sports but also solidifies their educational pursuits. It’s more than just a contract; it’s a launch pad for both their athletic ambitions and academic careers.

Kimberly Sperling of Santa Rosa Academy (middle) is joined by teammates after she signed her National letter of Intent to play soccer at Fullerton College. Valley News/Courtesy photo

Kimberly Sperling of Santa Rosa Academy has made an indelible mark on her school’s history by signing with the revered soccer team of Fullerton College. This move is set to charge the player and the program with invaluable experiences on and off the pitch.

Adding to the buzz, Tahquitz baseball is beaming with pride as two of its stars—Ramone Valenzuela and Miguel Campos—avow their allegiance to Menlo College and Hope International University, respectively. These athletes have illustrated commendable dedication to their craft, and their commitment resonates with hopes high and spirits soaring into their eminent college careers.

Tahquitz baseball players, Ramone Valenzuela and Miguel Campos, signed their National letter of Intent to play their sport and continue their education at the collegiate level after graduating in 2024. Valley News/Courtesy photo

The stories of these aspirants reflect the vitality and authentic promise of our local sports scene. We at the Valley News are motivated by their journeys and are committed to showcasing their progress as they step confidently toward their future with bright potential.

For those in our readership network privy to the feats of other student-athletes ready to make leaps of their own, we extend an invitation to share these stories. Your contributions are pivotal in ensuring that no victory goes unnoticed. Please direct updates to sports@reedermedia.com.

To the 2023-2024 cohort of student-athletes preparing to take their talents to the collegiate level, we convey our heartfelt congratulations and anticipate the thrilling chapters yet unwritten in your athletic and academic odyssey.

JP Raineri
JP Raineri

JP is an award-winning multimedia journalist, and head of the Sports Department for the Valley News. Over his time in the Temecula Valley, JP, a former Southwestern League head baseball coach, was also an on-air radio personality at Q103.3, KATY 101.3, Hot 103.9, and was a television host for the Outdoor Channel. When not covering local, or national sports, JP also serves as an Associate Baseball Scout with NSR.