Newport Harbor's Vasquez to Wisconsin

Athena Vasquez, a senior at Newport Harbor High, has signed a

letter of intent with the University of Wisconsin to play softball

there next year.

Vasquez earned first-team All-Sea View League honors last year for

the Sailors as a shortstop, and she also received second-team laurels

in her freshman and sophomore seasons.

Vasquez, a starting guard on the Newport girls basketball team

this season, visited the home of the Badgers in late September and

made her decision just before the early signing period. She was

sought after by Louisville, Sacramento State, Arizona State and

Princeton.

"I loved (Wisconsin)," Vasquez said of her recent visit. "It was

everything I wanted in a college so I decided to go there."

-- Steve Virgen