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Handful Of Mustang Athletes Commit To Colleges
wrestlers
A trio of Oakdale wrestlers signed their National Letters of Intent; Colbey Harlan, left, is going to compete at Stanford University while Jake Ryan, center, and Bronson Harmon will be wrestling at Cal Poly.Leader Photos By Dennis D. Cruz

Five Oakdale High School student athletes have put pen to paper to advance their education. These five athletes have worked hard over the last four years both in the classroom and their respective sports. On Thursday, Nov. 9 Oakdale’s Grace Green, Jake Ryan, Bronson Harmon, Abigail Matoso and Colbey Harlan made it official on ‘National Letter of Intent’ day.

Green is a starting pitcher for the varsity softball team and in the fall she will be heading to Oklahoma University. Her long journey to the NCAA and Norman, OK began with a dream. Green committed to collegiate softball her freshman year and now, just a few short years later, she put the ink to paper.

“This was my goal since I committed following my eighth grade year,” Green said. “I am truly blessed to have this become a reality. It’s just unreal.”

Ryan and Harmon have been teammates on the mat for years, and they will both be heading to San Luis Obispo this fall together. The duo signed with the SLO Mustangs on Thursday. Both wrestlers are coming off CIF State qualifying seasons and will be competing this winter for their final year at the high school level. Their wrestling teammate Harlan, also a state wrestling qualifier from 2016-2017, will be advancing his education at Stanford University. Harlan finished with second place honors at state last year. Harlan had many schools offering him a spot on their wrestling team, but at the end of the day, Harlan decided his future will be with the Cardinal.

“It was a tough decision honestly. I had some great schools that were interested, including Northwestern and Penn State but Stanford was the best option for me,” Harlan said.

Before his college career, he hopes to pin down a state championship this season for the Mustangs.

Abigail “Abby” Matoso played three years as a starter for the varsity volleyball team at OHS and in the fall she will be heading to Moraga, California to play at Saint Mary’s University. During her time in a Lady Mustangs uniform Matoso helped Oakdale claim two Valley Oak League titles. Next fall she will be competing in the West Coast Conference for the Gaels.

“I was really excited, but also emotional that my high school days are almost over,” Matoso said. “It was between University of San Diego or St. Mary’s but I really connected with St. Mary’s. From the coaches to teammates, they just made me feel welcomed.”