Hialeah Gardens High graduate Jordi Avila was among Florida International University’s signing class of nine student-athletes, including three from Major League Soccer (MLS) Development Academies. Head coach Kevin Nylen said the signees are expected to make an impact during the upcoming 2017 season.Avila, of the Orlando City Soccer Academy U18 Club, was the No.12 prospect coming into his senior year by College Soccer News. He was ranked...

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, a former Hialeah Miami Lakes High standout, completed one pass on one attempt for 18 yards and rushed for two yards, as his team defeated the Miami Dolphins, 31-7, in a preseason game at Sun Life Stadium. The HML Athletic Booster Club was on hand to show support for Lewis, who’s playing in his seventh NFL season. The undrafted free agent from Duke previously played for the St. Louis Rams,...

Florida International University sophomore linebacker Sage Lewis, a Pace High graduate, tore through offenses last season, as one of the leaders of the Panther’s tough defense.This season, the 6-1, 232-pound Lewis is seeking to make a much bigger impact, and his first target is the University of Central Florida, when the Pegasus host FIU on Saturday, August 31 in the season opener.Under new head coach Butch Davis, a defensive architect,...

Three Miami Lakes Optimist softball players were chosen to attend the MLB/USA Softball Breakthrough Series at the USA Pride Softball Complex in Oklahoma.Ashley Alfonso, Erika Castroman, and MeLanie Arauz were chosen from all over the U.S. to attend a five-day event with Jenny Finch and members of the USA Pride Team.MLB funded the event, which included air fare and other all-paid expenses to allow the girls to travel to Oklahoma.They also...

Florida International University track and field standout Gabrielle Rains took home the Bronze Medal in the discus at the Pan-Am U20 Track and Field Championships last month in Trujillo, Peru.Rains posted a throw of 53.06 meters that placed her on the medal stand.Her performance in Peru fell just short of breaking her Canadian U20 and FIU record of 53.10 meters that she set on March 18 at the Hurricane Invitational, a record that stood for...