Ten student-athletes were celebrated at Canyon High School on Wednesday as the Cowboys’ faithful celebrated the seniors’ commitments to continuing their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level.
Canyon head coach Zach Newman and the Cowboys baseball program got to send off Brody Bayliss, a four-year varsity player who made his commitment to Whittier College official on Wednesday afternoon.
“Brody will always hold a special place in Canyon baseball,” Newman told The Signal. “He has been on varsity with me all four years of his high school career, and throughout that time we have shared the highs and lows that every team experiences together.”
Bayliss ended his high school career batting .299 throughout four years and drove in 52 runs across 85 hits to solidify his time with the Cowboys.
Newman added that the program can’t wait to see what Bayliss does in his time with Whittier College, representing Canyon baseball on the college level.
“Coaches and teammates alike respect and care about him deeply, but we are all equally excited to watch him compete at the next level,” Newman said. “He has earned every bit of this opportunity.”
As for cross country and track and field coach George Velarde, he and the program honored Owen Souther, who signed his national letter of intent to the University of California, Irvine.
“I am happy for him and his family for his decision on committing to University of California, Irvine,” Velarde told The Signal. “Owen has fully committed to the process in cross country and track, and he is seeing all his hard work repay him.”
Velarde said that Souther has been involved with the cross country and track and field programs for two years and has grown not only as an athlete but also as a student for as long as he knew him.
During his time with Canyon, Souther secured two trips to the California Interscholastic Federation state championships and is the school record holder in the boys’ 1600-meter with a time of 4:12.80 in the 2026 Arcadia Invitational.
“He has left a legacy for others to emulate,” Velarde said. “His hard work and his willingness to be coached is his strength and looking forward to following him at UC Irvine and seeing his potential growth in the running journey.”
Signing their national letters of intent were (player, sport, school):
- Brody Bayliss, baseball, Whittier College.
- Blake Hastings, boys’ volleyball, Lake Forest College.
- Sophia Velazquez, cheer, Waldorf University.
- Owen Souther, cross-country/track, University of California, Irvine.
- Parys Taylor, girls’ volleyball, California State University, Fullerton.
- Emily Torres, softball, Miles College.
- Jaylynn Sussi, softball, Briar Cliff University.
- Jazzlen Sussi, softball, Los Angeles Valley College.
- Karina Montero, softball, Westcliff University.
- Vivan Rangel, softball, Felician University.
