Adelina Martel will get the opportunity she’s been waiting for.
The 2026 Eastwood High School graduate leaves Friday, July 24, for Edinburg, Texas, where she will play Division 1 soccer for UT-Rio Grande Valley.
“I had committed to St. Thomas in Texas, but the chance to play Division 1 was a great opportunity and I’m going to work hard to be my best,” said Martel, who has played soccer for 13 years. “UTRGV has great support and I’m ready to go compete at a high level and help the team win.”
Martel played four years on the varsity team at Eastwood and played midfield. In her last two seasons for the Troopers, she scored seven goals as a junior and eight as a senior.
She helped lead the Troopers to the playoffs as a junior. UTRGV competes in the Southland Conference and went 6-10-2 last season.
“I’ve learned so much about the game and feel like I’ve grown as a player,” Martel said. “One of my goals in the future to coach on the club or college level.”
Martel’s former high school teammate, Kaitlyn Duntley, said Martel earned her chance to play at the Division I level.
“Adelina works so hard and she has grown so much as a player. I saw her confidence grow when I played with her,” said Duntley, who is in her second season playing for UTEP.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso’s Eastwood High soccer star heads to Division 1
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
