On a cold fall morning, three Oakdale High School athletes took a big step toward their futures. Thursday, Nov. 15 Alexis (Lexi) Webb, Ricky Torres and Gabriel Martinez each signed their National Letter of Intent inside the Oakdale High School Main Gym. With family members, coaches and numerous supporters on hand, the three made their post-high school college choices.
Since her freshman season, Webb has been a premier softball pitcher in the Valley Oak League. A four-year starter at varsity level, Webb announced that she will be attending Fresno State upon high school graduation.
“This is something I have worked for and honestly, it has not sunk in yet,” said Webb upon signing.
In 2018 Webb struck out 142 batters in 26 games. She led the Valley Oak League in both strikeouts and wins (18). Webb pitched 14 complete games last season and had a 1.01 earned run average (ERA) in 118 innings of work. She also played first base for the Lady Mustangs where she hit nine home runs, had 35 hits and 41 runs batted in. At first base she had a fielding percentage of 1.000.
Oakdale had a pair of grapplers also sign when Torres and Martinez each signed with respectable wrestling programs. Torres signed with Cal Poly and Martinez with Campbellsville University. Torres chose Cal Poly over other schools for multiple reasons.
“I chose Cal Poly because the coaches, people, familiarity and the state of the program,” said Torres.
At Cal Poly, he will join former teammate and State medalist Jake Ryan, who graduated from OHS in 2018. Torres has been to the CIF State Championships in Bakersfield on multiple occasions, including last year were he went 2-2.
Martinez, who has also competed in the CIF State Championships on multiple occasions, signed with Campbellsville University to wrestle for the Tigers in Kentucky.
“The coaches and community were a big factor in my decision to sign with Campbellsville University. The campus is beautiful and my parents really liked it too and supported my decision, so that made it easier to make my choice,” said Martinez.
He finished second overall last spring in the CIF State Championship in the 170-pound weight class. This year he will compete in the same weight class and hopes to be on top.
“I plan on winning the whole thing this year. All I can do is get better and with my current coaches and teammates working with me, I feel I can reach that goal,” said Martinez.