Swoopin’ up a star: Limu-Jones ready to take flight at Eastern Washington

When Tim Garcia took over as athletic director at Grace Davis High School, his alma mater, in 2013, he set about changing the culture at a school dealing with declining enrollment and on-field success.

It’s been a slow process, but that process received a big boost Wednesday when star football player Talolo Limu-Jones signed a national letter of intent to accept a full scholarship to Eastern Washington University of the Big Sky Conference. Wednesday was the first day of the winter signing period.

Jones, also a standout on the basketball team, drew interest from recruiters because of his skill and size. The senior checks in at 6-feet-5 and 210 pounds. He was sought by colleges as a receiver and defender.

“Preferably offense,” Limu-Jones said when asked which he would rather play at the next level. “But I just want to play, so it doesn’t really matter where you put me.”

Limu-Jones will join linebacker John Kreifels on the Eagles roster. Kreifels is a 2013 graduate of Downey High.

Sacramento State, which wanted Limu-Jones as a receiver, and Weber State, which eyed him as a defender, were also under consideration by the Spartans’ star. Fresno State and UNLV showed considerable interest but never made an offer.

“I chose Eastern Washington because of the environment and because when I took the official visit, everybody made me feel like I was home,” Limu-Jones said.

Garcia, who played quarterback at Davis, Modesto JC and the University of Mary in Bismark, N.D., thinks Limu-Jones is primed for success at the next level.

“Yes, I do,” said Garcia, who graduated from Davis in 1999. “He’s grown a lot the last four years, become a really respectful young man, works hard and has started to buy in and believe in himself. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Marsella’s message: Don’t get consumed by Division I

Oakdale coach Trent Merzon said he believes defensive end Louis Marsella has all the tools to flourish at Humboldt State. He just wishes the 6-4, 240-pound sack master didn’t have to wear all that green.

Marsella signed his letter of intent in front of family, friends and Mustangs coaches in Merzon’s classroom after school.

Marsella is happy to be a Jack, a fast-rising Division II program, but revealed he was nearly consumed by a “Division I-or-bust” mentality. He toyed with the idea of walking on at Fresno State and Sacramento State.

“I’m guilty of that as well, shooting for D-I and thinking that’s the only thing I can be proud of,” Marsella said. “Going to these schools and seeing the other side, it’s amazing what you can accomplish at these schools, and what I think I can accomplish at this school. You can have just as much fun, maybe even more fun at these schools.”

Ripon soccer teammates going separate ways

After the crowd dispersed and the official act of signing was complete, Ripon seniors Kaylyn Evans and Jill Jamero embraced.

It had been a long road to this point – sprinkled with struggle and sacrifice, milestones and memories – and they traveled it together.

Soccer teammates since they were 10 on club teams in Modesto and Danville, Evans and Jamero will go their separate ways in the fall. Evans has committed to Sacramento State, while Jamero, a former Filipino national team player, is bound for the Air Force Academy. Jamero will serve her country for five years after graduating.

“I’ve always wanted to serve because my dad (Jeff Jamero) served,” she said.

While their commitment to club soccer has kept them off the soccer field for Ripon, both are key members of the girls basketball team, which leads the Trans-Valley League.

Emotion cut through Wednesday’s celebration as both players realized their journeys would take them in different directions.

“A long time ago, we had a meeting for basketball and we talked about what someone means to you,” Evans said. “Jill was talking and she was like, ‘Kaylyn, you’ve become a part of me. Every day, you’re just there. We do everything together.’

“To think the person I do everything with – I go to school with, go to class with, do sports with and have done all my greatest accomplishments with – will be gone, it’s going to be weird.”

Big fish from small pond hooks full-ride offer

The naysayers began to circle Daniel Giannosa in the eighth grade as the 6-7 tight end was preparing to enroll at Big Valley Christian.

“A lot of people told me I couldn’t play D-I from a small school,” said Giannosa, an All-District Small-School pick last fall. “In eighth grade, people told me I wouldn’t get looks at Big Valley. This goes to show it doesn’t matter where you go. God has a plan for everyone.”

Giannosa got plenty of looks, including a walk-on invitation from Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, a partial offer from Montana State and serious interest from four Division II schools. In the end, he chose Portland State, the only school to offer a full-ride scholarship.

“It’s a dream come true. I’ve been working for this since the seventh grade,” said Giannosa, who helped lead the Lions to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division VII final. “It symbolizes all that God has done for me in my life. He’s blessed me with a great opportunity.”

Fala falls off Pac-12 radar, lands at Delaware State

If the recruiting process has taught Sierra offensive lineman Joshua Fala anything, it’s that grades matter.

Fala accepted a full-ride scholarship offer to Delaware State, a Division I program that competes in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hornets flew out Fala for an official visit last weekend and made the offer on his final day in Dover.

“I’m overwhelmed, blessed and ready to learn,” said Fala, a 6-6, 335-pound anchoring point for Sierra’s state championship football team.

Delaware State arrived late, though. After generating interest from Washington State, Colorado and UCLA, Fala’s recruitment went quiet. So quiet, in fact, that the Modesto Bee All-District Large-School selection began exploring community college options.

His grades were to blame. Though he remained eligible and on track to qualify, Fala said his grades simply didn’t stack up against those of other recruits at his position.

Lesson learned.

“My grades weren’t up to par,” Fala said. “It wasn’t about not being eligible. There were just kids with better grades. It has taught me a lot, but I’m glad at where I’m at.”

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 6:16 PM with the headline "Swoopin’ up a star: Limu-Jones ready to take flight at Eastern Washington."