ALAMOSA – Two Alamosa High School senior student-athletes have decided where they will continue their academic and athletic careers on Wednesday by signing national letters of intent.

Jayden Mizokami signed to go to the California Post Graduate Baseball program in Palm Springs, Calif., while Mario Villalba will attend Metropolitan State University-Denver to compete in cross country and track and field.

“I really liked the campus and I really liked the athletes there,” Villalba said. “I got the chance to practice with them and I think it’s a great college to continue my running career.”

“I liked the nice weather and they gave me a good scholarship,” Mizokami said. “It’s another chance to continue my baseball career.”

Villabla was the Intermountain League individual champion last fall and he won the league’s 800- and 3,200-meter runs last weekend. He was a multiple time state qualifier in both cross country and track during his career.

“I think I had a really good running career here,” Villalba said. “I didn’t have the best academic career, but the memories I formed and achievements I created here. I loved high school running.”

“I’ve coached Mario since sixth grade and it’s a treasure to see him mature into this wonderful athlete,” said Alamosa cross country and track and field coach Jen McQuitty. “He’s close to breaking 10 minutes in the two-mile and he’s been the Intermountain League champion in cross country and in track. He’s blossomed into this wonderful athlete.”

Mizokami is currently batting .333 with 21 hits in 72 at-bats. He also has six doubles, 11 RBIs and has scored 10 runs.

“It was great at Alamosa,” Mizokami said. “I love baseball. I’ve been playing since I could walk. All the coaches are great. I love everything about it.”

California Post Graduate Baseball is a unique program. It is a transformative eight-month gap-year experience designed to propel high school athletes into the collegiate baseball spotlight, according to the program’s web site.

“I’ll go there for eight months,” Mizokami said. “We play a Division II schedule and after eight months, I’ll transfer to a bigger school and hopefully continue there.”

He doesn’t know where he will attend school after California Post Graduate Baseball.

“I’m just testing the waters out right now.”