3 Lake View Athletes Sign to Play at Next Level

SAN ANGELO, TX — Three athletes from Lake View High School signed to play collegiately during a ceremony Thursday in Lake View’s Ben Norton Gym.

Diego Paez signed to play football for Sul Ross State University, Trey Henry signed to play baseball at Schreiner University, and Jaylen Cuellar signed to play soccer at Dallas College North Lake.

The three athletes took countless pictures with friends and family as hundreds of people filled the gym for the event.

“I’ve got to thank God and all of my family. I love everything about this. I can’t believe how many people showed up to my signing day,” said Paez, an all-district linebacker for the Chiefs last fall. “Getting to go play football, it’s really my dream, and I can’t thank everybody enough. I wish they knew how much I thank them.

“This is one of the top two or three days of my life. The first is being born.”

Sul Ross State is a NCAA Division II school in Alpine that plays in the Lone Star Conference with Angelo State.

“It’s right next to Big Bend and it’s very beautiful,” Paez said. “My cousin goes to school there, and he sent me a video on my phone where the fog would roll down the mountains, and it looked so nice, the fog in the mornings and the beautiful trees and everything. It’s a small town with no stop lights, so I’ll know everybody there.”

Henry will be playing baseball at the NCAA Division III level at Schreiner University in Kerrville.

Due to an ACL tear during football season, Henry hasn’t been able to play baseball for the Chiefs this spring.

“It’s one of those deals where it’s a learning experience, and I know God has a plan for me,” Henry said.

Henry, who was a 6-foot-2, 230-pound offensive lineman for the Chiefs during football season, was a big part of their high-scoring offense before injuring his knee.

He could be an imposing force at the plate when he returns to full health in college. 

“I liked the atmosphere around the school (at Schreiner), and it gave me a feel of San Angelo,” Henry said. “The people are great people, and both of my brothers are going there, so there’s a bunch of people I’ll know.”

Cuellar was a four-year member of the Maidens soccer team and helped them win four playoff trophies.

She was a part of Lake View’s team that reached the regional quarterfinals her freshman year, and she helped them advance to the area round last month as a senior.

Cuellar, who has been playing soccer in San Angelo since she was 3 years old, said her teammates at Lake View became like family to her.

She’s hoping to experience that again at Dallas College North Lake.

“I like the college. It was not small, but not big at the same time,” Cuellar said. “I got to practice with some of the girls that will be on the same team as me, and they had a good mentality. They had a good attitude toward the new players coming onto the team, so I think it’ll be good.”