Downey High celebrates its college-bound athletes

DOWNEY − Downey High School’s top eight athletes announced their post-graduation plans during a scholarship signing day ceremony last Thursday.  

Brittney Martinez, left, and Idalis Gonzalez celebrate after the signing day ceremony.

With much fanfare, coaches and classmates alike gathered in the school’s gymnasium to celebrate the achievements of the senior athletes who set records in their five respective sports.

Downey High’s committed athletes include: Giovanni De Loera (Robert Morris University), Eddie Preciado (Capital University), Kimberly Schnars (Hope International), Randy Labaut (Arizona University), Luis Munoz (Cal State Northridge), Brittany Martinez (UC Irvine ), Idalis Gonzalez (University of Louisiana at Monroe) and Charlotte Chavarria (Cal State Bernardino).

Offensive tackle De Loera and Preciado, a jack of all trades, were members of Downey’s San Gabriel Valley League championship football team, helping lead the Vikings to the CIF-SS Southeast Division championship game last season.

Hitting .330 during his baseball career, Labaut, who emigrated to the U.S. from Cuba, was a standout for Downey’s baseball team and is getting considered by professional teams.

Schnars, an outside hitter in volleyball, was selected for the Press-Telegram first-team Dream Team last winter. She led the girls’ volleyball team to another league championship this season. 
Martinez and Munoz both finished their track and field/cross country careers as two of the best distance runners in Downey High’s history. Gonzalez and Chavarria were instrumental in pushing the Vikings girls’ soccer team to a share of the league crown with rival Warren.