Go to main contentsGo to main menu
Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Austin Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic (below main menu)

Local athletes sign letters of intent

Local athletes sign letters of intent
tauserwwwhaysfreepresswp-contentuploadssites2202212e1ca1c8bd28e6b9fa4ff596c855036fd.jpg

Seguin will be the destination for Hays Lady Rebel soccer player Mariah Acosta next fall after signing her letter of intent to continue her playing career. On Feb. 6, Acosta signed on to join the Texas Lutheran University women's soccer team, a Division III program that competes in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). Acosta, who will major in nursing at TLU, was joined by parents Rob Acosta and Crystal Cardenas, as well as numerous family members, friends and teammates. Also joining in on the signing was current Lady Rebel soccer coach Mario Bellver, assistant coach Gaston Romero and many of Acosta's club soccer coaches.

Magnolia-state bound is the motto for Hays Lady Rebel soccer player Izel Gaitan after she signed her letter of intent Feb. 5 to play at the next level.  Gaitan signed on to continue her career at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Joining Gaitan at the signing were parents Roy and Alice Gaitan, numerous family and friends, as well as current Hays Rebel head girls soccer coach Mario Bellver, assistant coaches Gaston Romero and Blair Bodelson and former girls soccer coach Brent Holcomb. Belhaven is a Division II university and competes in the American Southwest Conference.

After a stellar football career at Hays High, which included a memorable game-winning blocked extra point against Dripping Springs in September 2018, Rebel senior tight end Alex Harkey will take his talents to the Piney Woods. On Feb. 5, Harkey signed his letter of intent to continue his football playing career at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas. Taking in the ceremony was his mother Renee Harkey, as well as grandfather Gene Harkey and many more friends and family. In late December, Harkey was a first team tight end on the 25-6A All District list. Harkey will join the TJC Apache football team which competes in the Southwest Junior College Conference in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The Hays Rebel football program is coached by Les Goad.

PLEASE LOG IN FOR PREMIUM CONTENT. Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!
Paper is not free between sections 1
Check out our latest e-Editions!
Hays Free Press
Hays-Free-Press
News-Dispatch
Watermark SPM Plus Program July 2025
Tiffany Peper eXp Realty- 124 Watson Ct. 1/2
Tiffany Peper eXp Realty- 124 Watson Ct. 2/2
Subscriptions
Watermark SPM Plus Program July 2025
Community calendar 2
Event calendar
Visitors Guide 2025
Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch Community Calendar
Austin Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic (footer)