Prieto to Provide

Prieto, an East River High School senior who competed at 154 pounds and 162, recently signed a letter of intent with the Warriors.

“We’re excited to have Karina join us,” Waldorf coach Tyreece Gilder said. “I feel her competitiveness will help push our mid to upper weights and help strengthen our team as a whole.”

A three-year varsity letter winner and member of East River’s lineup, Prieto secured a sixth-place finish in the 2015 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championships and made a return trip to state as a senior this season.

Throughout high school, Prieto also played softball. She was a four-year varsity letter winner and two-year starter as a catcher for the Falcons. Prieto helped Central Florida Gold (CFG) Elite, a club team, capture the 2016 United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) 18-and-under (18U) World Series title.

Prieto is the daughter of Ivnalia and Manuel Prieto. She plans to pursue a wellness degree at Waldorf and said she chose to further her education and athletic career at the university because of its welcoming environment.

“Waldorf University has all the qualities I was looking for in a school,” Prieto said. “It also has a home-like feel and everyone on campus was so sweet and welcoming.”

Prieto becomes the fifth member of Waldorf’s 2017-18 recruiting class, joining California natives Marlene Hernandez, Taéa Regua, Diana Leyva and Washington recruit Akina Yamada. Set to join the Warriors this fall, Prieto is looking forward to fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to play a sport in college and being given the opportunity to do so is everything,” Prieto said.