Dayton High's Garcia to play at Harvard

DAYTON - Erika Garcia turns 18 today, and she's celebrating by signing her admissions card to attend Harvard University in the fall.

Ivy League schools don't offer athletic scholarships, but do give student-athletes financial packages based on athletic and academic success.

Garcia, who won eight varsity letters in track and field, soccer and basketball during her career at Dayton High School, didn't play a school sport this year. Instead, she opted to play club soccer for Placer United. She will play soccer at Harvard.

Garcia came on Harvard's radar approximately three years ago during a club tournament.

"It kind of happened when I was playing in a tournament (with Placer United)," Garcia said. "The Harvard coaches were there and saw me play and liked me. I didn't zoom and focus on them only right away, but I always knew that it was a possibility. There is always financial stuff that has to be worked out and grades to get."

The latter has never been a problem for Garcia, who currently carries a weighted 4.5 GPA and scored 1840 on her SAT. Garcia also is the class valedictorian this year. She plans to major in neurobiology or biochemistry and eventually hopes to attend medical school.

Garcia said she received a letter from every Ivy League school, and that Oregon, Sac State and UC Davis also were interested.

Garcia said she went on an unofficial visit with her parents in the fall of her junior year at Dayton.

"I was able to meet the coach (Ray Leone) and some of the players," Garcia said. "I stayed in the dorm. I went back on my official visit this year by myself and got a chance to meet all the other incoming freshmen soccer players. I've been staying in touch with them and other players that are already on the team."

And, according to Ron Benjamin, who is Placer United's director of girls soccer, the Crimson is getting one heck of a forward.

"She came to us three years ago, and we had her out for a couple of training sessions, and the rest is history," Benjamin said. "First of all, her pace is frightening. She's very dangerous. She's scored probably 60 goals in the last 2 1/2 years for us which is pretty good.

"One of the best things about her, aside from technical things, is that her work rate and coachability. Her work rate is off the chart. She's sacrificed a lot. She travels 2 1/2 hours for practices and games. She is extremely dedicated."

And, Benjamin doesn't even think that Garcia has scratched the surface of what she can do. He believes that once Garcia gets to Harvard, she will prosper under Leone because of the increased training that comes with playing in college.

And, being 3,000 miles away from her family doesn't seem to faze Garcia in the slightest. In fact, she's looking forward to it.

"I've always liked to travel," Garcia said. "We traveled cross country (and to Europe) for soccer tournaments. I like being away from home."

No doubt a rigorous Ivy League academic schedule and soccer won't leave her much time for anything else.

Garcia actually burst onto the high school athletic scene her freshman year when she was a triple winner at the state meet, taking the 100, 200 and 400-meter races. She came back the next year and defended her 400 title, but unfortunately came up empty in her junior season when she was hampered by injuries.

Garcia played basketball up through last year, but decided to give up school sports altogether in order to concentrate on academics and club soccer.

"In Sacramento high school soccer is played in the spring, so club is in the fall and winter," Garcia said. "If I played high school soccer, I couldn't have played for that club team. I couldn't do both."

The Harvard signing isn't the only news about Garcia. On Wednesday, she is going down to Southern California for a four-day soccer camp.

"They are looking to increase their pool of players for Mexico's national team," Garcia said.

Obviously that is a big honor to even be invited, and who knows, maybe one day we might see Garcia play in a World Cup or an Olympics.