Canyon Athletics held the first National Letter of Intent ceremony of the 2025-26 school year today.  The following student athletes were recognized by their coaches today as they committed to playing at the collegiate level next year.

 

Tessa Fortenbaugh- Wrestling

Western Colorado University

Tessa Fortenbaugh has been a 4-year varsity wrestler at Canyon High School.  Tessa will be attending Western Colorado University on athletic and academic scholarships. She will be majoring in Criminal Justice. Tessa has been a league champion, is a 2-time CIF Finalist, and a CIF Champion, as well as a 2-time state qualifier, and was recognized as Second Team All Orange County.  Tessa has also been a 2-time Freestyle State Place winner, and is currently ranked #1 in Orange County, #1 in CIF, and #10 in the State at her weight class.  In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Tessa is an outstanding student who has been a Scholar Athlete each season at Canyon.  Tessa says her favorite memory is, “Traveling with all of her teammates to tournaments throughout the season and getting food afterwards.”  Tessa would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Grandma, Friends, and Coaches who are here to support her today, and would like to give a very special thanks to her Dad.  She says, “I would have never gotten to this point without him, he is my biggest inspiration and supporter.”  She would also like to give another special thanks to all her coaches, especially Coach Barr for always supporting and believing in her through every hard aspect of wrestling. She also wants to thank her Club Coaches over at Reign, who have helped her succeed so much in the sport. Finally, Tessa wants to thank all of her friends who are always there supporting her every step of the way, she is very grateful everyone who has been a part of this journey.”

Congratulations Tessa!

 

 

 

Kelsey Perez – Softball

Cal State University East Bay

Kelsey Perez is a 3-year varsity pitcher for the Canyon High School Softball Team.  Kelsey will be attending Cal State East Bay on an athletic scholarship and will be majoring in Kinesiology.  Kelsey received the Coaches Award last season and has been Top of the Tribe and a Scholar Athlete each of her seasons.   Kelsey’s favorite memory at Canyon was the trip to Bullhead last year.  Kelsey would like to thank her mom and dad for being her biggest supporters and for pushing her to get to where she is today, and she would like to say thank you to her family and coaches for their support and encouragement.  

 

Congratulations Kelsey!

 

 

 

 

 

Kellen Rommelfanger – Football

George Fox University 

Kellen Rommelfanger is a 4-year varsity receiver for the Canyon High School Football team.  Kellen will be attending George Fox University on an academic scholarship and will be majoring in Business Management. Kellen will go down as one of the greatest receivers in Canyon History.  He ranks first all time in receptions with 183, 3rd all time in yardage with 2,145 yards and 3rd all time in touchdowns with 19. Kellen was recognized as MVP of his freshman team, was Canyon’s Varsity’s Most improved offensive player his Sophomore season, and was Offensive MVP his Junior year.  Kellen also excels in the classroom where he has been Top of The Tribe and Scholar Athlete each of his seasons.  Kellen’s favorite high school memory was Freshman football.  Kellen would like to thank his mom, dad and siblings, Reese and Clay, for all of their love and support. He would also like to thank the entire coaching staff and God for making this dream a reality.  

 

Congratulations Kellen!

 

 

 

 

Kyara Vargas- Basketball

Utah Tech University

Kyara Vargas has been a 4-year varsity basketball player.  Kyara will be attending Utah Tech University on an athletic scholarship and will be majoring in Business and Sports Medicine.  Kyara was one of the top Juniors in Orange County last season, receiving 1st Team All Crestview League honors, as well as being chosen as Canyon’s team MVP.  Kyara’s favorite memories at Canyon are all the time she got to spend with her friends and teammates.  Kyara says that her family is with her today and she would like to thank them and her coach for everything they’ve done to get her to this moment.

Congratulations Kyara!

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Walker- Lacrosse

Newberry College

John Walker has been a 3-year varsity face off specialist for the Canyon Boys Lacrosse Team.  John will be attending Newberry College on athletic and academic scholarships and will be studying Business and Entrepreneurship.  John has been recognized as First Team All CIF Division 2, First Team All League, and has received the Varsity Achievement and Master of the X awards twice as well as the Comanche Award.  He was also a part of the APEX 60 and Elite 100 showcases and was put on the 2026 All Star Rosters at both events.  John says his favorite high school memory is from the 2024 season, “when we played the #2 ranked high school team in Utah. We beat them in overtime, and John was given the game ball for winning 22 out of 24 face offs during the game.”  John would like to thank his mom, Linsley Walker, and Grandma, Ann Chapman, who are both here today for all of their love and support.  He would also like to thank his face off coaches Michael Marino and Cade Poe and recognize the huge role that the Saddleback Stags and Silverbacks Lacrosse Club coaching staffs had on his development  John also sends a special shout out to the Face Off Factory for their support and training which  set him apart from other lacrosse players and helped him accomplish this goal.  Finally, John wants to give a huge thank you to the Canyon coaches and his teammates.

Congratulations John!