Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

RECORD-BREAKING 13 OTERO COLLEGE MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS SIGN WITH FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES

RECORD-BREAKING 13 OTERO COLLEGE MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS SIGN WITH FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES
July 15, 2026

RECORD-BREAKING 13 OTERO COLLEGE MEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS SIGN WITH FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITIES

LA JUNTA, CO — Otero College Athletics is incredibly proud to announce that 13 standout members of the Men's Soccer program have officially signed to continue their academic and athletic careers at prestigious four-year institutions across the United States. This massive transferring class highlights the program's elite talent, sending student-athletes to the NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA levels.

Demonstrating Otero's powerhouse status and diverse recruiting footprint, this year's departing class features elite local talent from Colorado alongside exceptional athletes from around the world.

NCAA Division I Commitments

  • Kai Odagiri (Kanagawa, Japan) – Eastern Illinois University: The talented goalkeeper will bring his exceptional technical ability and international flair to the NCAA D1 Panthers.
  • Manuel Ronaldo Mena (Bogota, Colombia) – Cal State Northridge: Heading to California, Mena's sharp instincts and soccer IQ earned him a coveted roster spot with the Matadors.
  • Marko Stajnko (Vorarlberg, Austria) – University of Memphis: Stajnko takes his high-caliber defensive and tactical skills to the competitive American Athletic Conference (AAC).
  • Mohammed Baalbaki (Quebec, Montreal, Canada) – Florida Gulf Coast University: The Canadian native is heading south to join the Eagles' explosive Division I attack.
  • Zackarya Oumamass (Quebec, Montreal, Canada) – University of Memphis: Joining teammate Marko Stajnko, Oumamass will bring his elite athleticism and dynamic playmaking to the Tigers' roster.

NCAA Division II Commitments

  • Renan Chagas de Oliveira (Sao Leopoldo, Brazil) – University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS): Staying in Colorado, the Brazilian powerhouse joins the Mountain Lions to make an immediate impact in the RMAC.
  • Ken Naito (Fujisawa, Japan) – Chowan University: Naito brings his exceptional speed and tactical vision to the Hawks' lineup in North Carolina.
  • Andrew Espinosa (Corona, California) – CSU Pueblo: Espinosa's elite leadership, accountability, and talent will bolster the ThunderWolves' highly competitive backline.
  • Tyson Borden (Pueblo, Colorado) – CSU Pueblo: A dominant hometown product, Borden will join teammate Andrew Espinosa down the road at CSU Pueblo, continuing his soccer career right here in Southern Colorado.
  • Michael Florian (Ocala, Florida) – Palm Beach Atlantic University: Florian heads back home to the Sunshine State to bring his sharp competitive edge to the Sailfish.
  • Diego Algiene (Longmont, Colorado) – Seton Hill University: The Colorado native is heading east to Pennsylvania, adding size, skill, and grit to the Griffins' roster.

NAIA Commitments

  • Felipe Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU): Silva will take his elite Brazilian footwork and goal-scoring abilities north to Ohio to join the Cougars.
  • Seth Michel (Liberal, Kansas) – Kansas Wesleyan University: The regional standout has signed with the Coyotes, where his durability and leadership will heavily anchor the squad.

"To move thirteen players on to four-year universities in a single class is an absolutely staggering achievement," said the Otero College Athletic Director, Kyle Spencer. "This group exemplifies what Otero Men's Soccer is all about—bringing together diverse talent from our backyard here in Colorado and from across the globe, molding them into elite competitors, and helping them achieve their dreams. Whether they are going Division I, Division II, or NAIA, we know these young men will represent the Rattlers with pride. We cannot wait to watch them succeed at the next level."