OTHELLO — Luis Farias from the Othello Huskies boys’ soccer team signed his letter of intent Thursday to join the men's soccer program at Columbia Basin College. While he was excited to make it official, Farias also felt it went deeper than that.  

“I feel like a signing like this may give other kids hope to see and look up to me and be a role model in a way, instead of all the other bad things out in the world,” he said. “I just want them to think of me and see a role model, and someone they could follow, and something they could do too, and even achieve more beyond what I have achieved.” 

His recruitment journey started his sophomore year, he said. Some schools expressed interest in what he had to offer. However, neither he nor his family have navigated this process before, which created some challenges. It was at an ID camp in Spokane that a coach he was working with gave him some valuable advice.  

“He told me, ‘It's a mentality thing, that even when you believe you've reached your limits, push beyond that, that's where greatness is born, that's where greatness is made,’” Farias said.  

From there, he managed to connect with the CBC program and even participated in practice with them. He recalled how welcoming players and coaches were as a major factor in assessing them as the right fit for him.  

“They just made it seem very welcoming, and the coach made it seem like a family,” he said. “He was talking about how we are all family, no matter what, we should stay as family, and just a lot of unity I saw between the community.” 

As a Huskie, Farias earned second team All-League honors in the Central Washington Athletic Conference in 2026, was a team captain and awarded most inspirational by his team. Playing every game his senior season, Farias scored eight goals and recorded four assists.  

According to Head Coach Bernie Garza, what stands out more than his field presence, is his character. He called back to a phone call with Martin Ramirez, the CBC Head Coach. He offered him any information he wanted on Farias, stats, records and accolades.  

Garza said he was more interested in hearing about what kind of person Farias is.  

“He goes, ‘That's why we're recruiting him,’ because of his attitude. He respects coaches, respects athletes, never complains, is willing to work hard and do what it takes to get better, that's why they recruit him, not necessarily for his stats or All League stuff, but the type of person he is.” 

Don’t get Garza wrong; Farias will still bring the intensity on the field but will still pick another player up off the turf immediately after, he said.  

“He's that kind of guy,” Garza said. “He carried his teammate off the field when I had a heart attack, and I couldn't carry them. He said, ‘I got it coach,’ and he carried him off the field. Awesome example of a teammate.” 

When he arrives on campus, Garza is confident the Hawks are getting a well-rounded athlete, too. According to him, Farias can play in most spots on the field, bringing a unique amount of versatility.  

“If they can find the right spot for him, he'll play anywhere. Right middle, left middle, center defender, attacking forward, a place where they need him. He'll do it, and he's got the athletic ability,” Garza said. “The long throw ins, he can run for days, he's got the endurance of stamina. They got to find the right fit for him, but he's going to do good.”  

As he closes this chapter of his high school athletic journey, Farias will certainly miss playing for the Huskies, but he’ll also cherish the connections he’s made over the last four years 

“Honestly, just the friendships I made, but I know I could go on to make more friendships and more connections at a higher level,” he said.

    Huskies senior Luis Farias leaps in the air along with an East Valley player as they collide for possession of the ball earlier this season
  

    Huskies senior Luis Farias embraces sophomore Samuel Marroquin after Marroquin shot the game winning goal in overtime against Ephrata during the first round of districts earlier this season.
  

    Othello Huskies senior Luis Farias signs his letter of intent to play for Columbia Basin College’s men’s soccer program.