TEMPLE, TX — Following a season defined by grit and veteran composure, the Temple Tem-Cat soccer program is celebrating a massive haul of postseason honors. As the District 12-6A All-District selections were finalized for 2026, the spotlight shone brightly on Temple’s upperclassmen, proving that the Tem-Cats are as formidable in the classroom as they are on the pitch.
Elite on the Field
The All-District rosters were headlined by a trio of First Team selections, including senior standout Alaina Flores. Flores, who has been a cornerstone of the Temple lineup, was joined by juniors Bella Mitchan and Avery Perez, signaling a bright future for the program even as the seniors prepare to depart.
The depth of the Tem-Cat roster was further validated with Second Team honors. Senior Isa Diaz provided a steadying presence throughout the season, earning her spot alongside impact juniors Skylar Licudine and Sterling Griffith.
In the Honorable Mention category, seniors Maya Ramirez and Valerie Velasquez were recognized for their vital contributions to the team's success, along with junior Yaquelin Martinez.
Excellence Beyond the Pitch
While the physical play at the stadium earned them district-wide respect, the Tem-Cats truly distinguished themselves through academic achievement. The Texas Association of Soccer Coaches (TASCO) and the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) both released their Academic All-State lists, and Temple’s seniors dominated the rankings.
Valerie Velasquez capped off a remarkable high school career by being named to the THSCA Academic All-State First Team, an elite distinction reserved for student-athletes who maintain the highest standards of academic excellence. Velasquez also earned TASCO Academic All-State honors.
Joining the ranks of the TASCO Academic All-State elite were:
Isa Diaz
Alaina Flores
The THSCA also recognized the mental toughness of the Temple squad, awarding Honorable Mention Academic All-State status to Isa Diaz, Alaina Flores, and Krystel Ixcopal.
A Legacy of the "Student-Athlete"
For the Temple coaching staff and the local community, these awards reinforce a culture of balance. The 2026 senior class leaves behind a blueprint for success that emphasizes that winning is a holistic endeavor. Whether it was Flores slicing through defenses or Velasquez and Diaz maintaining 4.0 GPAs, the Tem-Cats have set a high bar for the next generation of Temple soccer.
As the district transitions into the off-season, the Temple community stands proud of these young women who represented the "T" with class, intelligence, and competitive fire.
