A series to share #smiles across our community through the achievements of our local youth, brought to you by Olsen Orthodontics.
Written by Randy Tucker
It’s all in the family for a pair of standout Riverton High School soccer players. Cousins Cilia Mejorado and Dakayda Yarber signed National Letters of Intent to compete in soccer at Laramie County Community College, sitting side-by-side in the commons area outside Wolverine Gym, Tuesday afternoon.
A promising final season awaits the duo with Riverton returning a talented girls’ soccer team this spring.
“I’ve been playing for a long time,” Mejorado said. “I liked the coaches at LCCC and I knew a lot of the girls that go there so it felt like a good fit.”
She’ll likely play midfield, either attacking or holding.
Mejorado is an honor student, and a member of the National Honor Society. She is currently carrying a 3.9 grade point average.
One of the reasons she selected Laramie County is its medical technology program. She wants to major in sonography and become an ultrasound technician.
The medical program at Laramie County appeals to Yarber as well.
“I’m undecided on a major, something in health care field,” Yarber said. “Maybe nursing or something similar.”
Attending an in-state school makes the Hathaway Scholarship available.
“Everything paid for, it’ll be nice,” Mejorado said.
Yarber took a look at a few other colleges.
“I looked at Casper College and Black Hill State,” Yarber said. “At LCCC, I really liked the coach, that was the main factor why I chose to go there. He was adamant on how his team is and he is as a coach.”
She eagerly anticipates her final high school soccer season, arriving in just a couple of months.
“I think as long as we stay together and do everything we need to do we’ll be good,” Mejorado said. “I’m excited, I think we can go far.”
Yarber agreed,” I think we’re going to be pretty good, we lost two crucial players, but I think we have the talent in the girls to fill in those spots,” she said.
Yarber has been in the student council for the last two years.
In college, she’s likely to play the same position as in high school.
“The coach said I’d play center back,” Yarber said. “When we chatted he brought up me playing there because I played that in high school.”
Both girls appreciated the support of their coaches.
“I’d like to thank all my coaches, my dad, my parents, and high school coaches Aziz Waheed, Reed Axthelm, and Jarrett Watson,” Mejorado said.
Yarber had praise for Waheed, Watson, and Axthelm as well, “They’ve been very good to me, it’s going to be hard when it’s time to leave, but I’m excited,” she said.
She appreciated the coaching of Jeremy Mejorado as well.
Cilia is the daughter of Jeremy and Mari Mejorado.
Dakayda’s parents are Erica and Derrick Yarber.
“I’ve been playing since I was seven years old. I thank my parents, my previous coaches and Jeremy Mejorado. He has a big role in where I am today and my family,” Yarber said. “I would like to go on somewhere. I decided to tray a JUCO just to see if I enjoy it and want to go on.”
The two girls will be roommates at Laramie County.