The opportunity to continue in athletics at the collegiate level has become more and more difficult for today’s student athletes, but those worries are no longer relevant for Manteca High senior Airenne Curry. A three-sport athlete at Manteca, she inked a letter of intent to play soccer for Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa.

The Warriors are a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics program that competes in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. Curry was an integral part of Manteca’s soccer and track programs, while also playing basketball and tennis for the Buffaloes. Now the Manteca standout will focus solely on soccer.

“I am definitely excited,” Curry said after a Buffaloes home soccer game. “I’m nervous because it’s so far away, but I am excited to get out and start my life.

“My parents have led me this far, so now I am just going to continue on in hopes of becoming something bigger.”

Curry is leaving behind the wonderful weather of Northern California for the flat lands of the Midwest. The campus is over 1,900 miles from Manteca High, leaving Curry several miles from close family and friends.

“It feels good, I mean, they picked me,” Curry said of the commitment. “I’m a left footer; I’m coming from the roots of nothing to something that nobody in my family has ever gotten.

“That really makes me proud.”

Athletically, Curry would likely fit into any program in the country. Working relentlessly to stay on top of her game after dealing with continual physical setbacks. Curry has stayed healthy throughout her senior season, giving her optimism about heading off to join a new program.

She is currently in the midst of a postseason chase with her Buffaloes soccer team. Curry is second on the club in goals with 11, and ranks second in points and shots on the season. Curry has played a prominent role throughout the Buffaloes 12-6-2 season.

Waldorf College is a private, liberal arts college with Christian foundations and beliefs. Curry has also been awarded a Merit Promise Scholarship, which will accompany Curry’s athletic scholarship assistance she will receive.

“I hope that these next coaches are going to show me some things that I’ve never known before, Curry said. “And it helps me become that much more of a better player. I want to just add to their team and not take anything away from it.”