Not long ago former Cibola High School dual-sport star Gabriel Claudio was setting records for the Raiders, but next fall, the Class of 2017 graduate, will be a Runnin’ Rebel.

Claudio, who spent two years playing soccer at the junior college level, has accepted a full athletic scholarship with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas soccer program for the 2020-21 season.

"I am proud to be able to accomplish a goal of mine and show the younger kids looking up to me the right steps it takes to get to a Division 1 program," Claudio said. "I thank my family friends and Yuma for my opportunity and plan to give back to this town that I was brought up in once my soccer career has ended."

UNLV went 6-12-1 in 2019-20, but closed out the season with four wins in their final seven matches. Claudio joins a roster that is losing just five seniors.

In four years with Cibola, Claudio shined on both the pitch and the gridiron. He had 93 receptions, 25 touchdowns, and surpassed more than 2,000 all-purpose yards in his junior and senior football seasons. Each winter, Claudio would transition to soccer, where he quickly became one of the state’s top goal scorers. During four varsity seasons, he scored 48 goals, including 24 his senior year, when as a captain, he led the Raiders to a 16-3-1 record and first-round postseason victory over Pinnacle High School.

For a past feature story on Claudio's success at Cibola, click here.