Mavs’ Vela signs to play soccer in Walla Walla
CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 5 months AGO
Gabi Vela, second from left, signs to play soccer at Walla Walla Community College in the company of her dad Rene Vela, left, mom Maria Vela, second from right, and sisters Ely Vela, right, and Mia Vela, back.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | March 23, 2024 2:52 PM
MOSES LAKE — Family, teammates, coaches and friends got together at the Moses Lake High School to recognize Mavs girls soccer goalie Gabi Vela, who has signed to play for Walla Walla Community College.
Vela thanked the assembled crowd for their support for her, saying they have been a big part of her soccer experience.
Vela said she’s been playing soccer most of her life, beginning at five years of age. She played club soccer throughout school and was on the MLHS varsity. She was honorable mention all-league in the Big 9 for the 2023 soccer season.
The goalie’s job can be a little lonely; the only time he or she gets much attention is when the opponent is attacking the net.
“It definitely takes a lot of leadership,” Vela said.
She is dedicated to her sport and the goalie’s position, and she thinks that showed up in her play, she said. It was also important to her to show leadership on and off the field, and she said she worked to do that.
She was attracted to WWCC by the quality of its soccer program, she said, and the hard work of the players, the coaching staff and head coach Jordan Hacker.
“He’s an amazing person, and I’m excited to work with him,” Vela said.
She expects to have to work harder on a college soccer team, she said, but she’s looking forward to playing with people who are as committed to the game as she is.
“It’s definitely going to be pretty challenging,” she said.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].
ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Road projects on hold for Labor Day weekend
MOSES LAKE — With Labor Day weekend dead ahead, drivers will be able to move freely about the state. Most road projects are on hold for the holiday weekend. Nobody will be working on the Hansen Road overpass on Interstate 90, but the lane restrictions that are in effect will continue through the end of the project.
Cost estimates for water source alternatives given to Moses Lake City Council
Protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, efforts are ongoing to keep it self-sufficient
MOSES LAKE — It’s going to cost a lot of money to provide alternative water sources for the city of Moses Lake, but some of the possible alternatives will cost more than others. City officials provided the Moses Lake City Council with costs for various alternatives Tuesday.
Dryer vent cleaning is important -- but often overlooked
MOSES LAKE — Not all the maintenance a house needs is visible. Sometimes a potential problem just goes unnoticed until it causes trouble, sometimes serious trouble. But a lot of potential problems give off warning signs. Clothes dryers often do when they need a good cleaning.