Former Otero Junior College head coach Jamie Hutchison once quipped, while discussing former BHS star Keenan Moreta's next-level skills, that "if Bayfield's got more like her, send 'em my way!"

Now coaching NCAA Division I University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff after having built OJC Women's Soccer up from its Moreta-rooted foundations into the NJCAA's #4-ranked - via winning Region IX and District C - powerhouse (and recipient of its first-ever National Championships berth) in 2014, he'd be happy his successor felt similarly.

And that her objective was excited to extend such an inroad.without having ever seen the school.

"Without seeing the campus, or even knowing exactly where that campus was!" Bryannah Isiordia clarified during a recent outdoor chat, ignoring last week's La Junta-like heat (which was still 103 degrees at 5:13 p.m. Monday, according to the BHS marquee).

"But I have been out there twice already, seen classes, met a couple professors already and know what the outlook is," she continued. "I have my dorm set up already.and it is different, but it's a good 'different.' I'm used to small towns so that's what I needed, and why I finally.full-on committed."

She was offered a summertime spot on an American International Sports Teams (based in Independence, Mo.) traveling roster after anchoring the Wolverines' back row her junior and senior seasons. Isiordia - who admitted never having played competitively until her freshman year - will join a Rattlers squad stoked to pick up where a 3-2 loss to Laramie County Community College left them in '15.

"They came so close last year," said Isiordia, alluding to OJC's bid for a return to Nationals. "And.that's the hardest thing to lose from, a single goal - and I just felt like I could benefit that team."

"They're talking about a center back or outside back," she added, noting where current Coach Sierra Doherty-Cardenas and assistant Danielle Thurman might prefer to utilize her as a collegian.

"Which is going to be a little different because their formation's different; their outside backs go up a lot farther than what I'm going to be used to - so it's going to be a lot more running than I'm used to! But I've been training hard.kind of being set back these next couple weeks as I have a couple of hip issues - I always have - but we're just making sure I'm going to be ready for the.speed and stuff that the game's going to bring to me."

"I've also talked to the coaches because our high school track has been shut down for a little bit, so it's hard to get some of those tests in," she noted. "But.they were all like, 'Just estimate it; it's not a big deal. You're going to be good.just make sure you're in shape!"

Otero finished 13-3-2 overall last fall, prior to having a seven-match winning streak - in which OJC outscored opponents 28 to 4 - snapped by the Region IX/District C Tournament Championship loss in Denver to Laramie County, based in Cheyenne, Wyo.

"The coach that came down and watched me was their assistant (Thurman), and we didn't talk as much - it was our night game against Ignacio," said Isiordia, third-oldest among Matt and Erin Bushnell's soccer-crazed six children. "But even then, they were happy to see me and thought I was going to fit into the team really well."

"I love the way their summer programs are working - they set me up with a 'big' already, so I already have support," she said of mentor and fellow defender Taylor Bauer, who'd helped Westminster The Academy reach the Class 3A State Tournament's 'Final Four' as a senior in Spring 2015 (BHS went out in the 'Sweet 16'). "The program looks awesome; I definitely feel it's going to be a good experience!"

As it currently looks, OJC's schedule gets underway the weekend of Aug. 19-20.

"I think it's going to be pretty awesome," Isiordia said. "Knowing that most of the student body at Otero is all athletes - there's very few around there that isn't - makes it just that much better.knowing that I'm always going to have someone there for me."

"I want to do psychology - I had a rough past in my childhood, and I definitely feel like I could help others," she said of her academic studies. "In high school other people have come to me for their issues, so I feel I could go a lot further the more information and stuff I gather with my schooling.and pursue it as a career."

"I'm going to miss the connections I had with the younger girls like.my keeper, Kailee Millard. And Coach Z (Jen Zelinski).she has made a big impact in my life - I remember not talking to anybody besides her, freshman year, and she's the one who got me out of my 'bubble,' got me as strong as I am today. I have a lot to thank her for; she's given me a lot of support, helped me get connected to.Otero."

As one of the first three BHS girls' soccer athletes to earn the chance to play in college, Isiordia indicated a sense of pride in hoping her example will inspire future Wolverines.

"It's also great.showing that even though, like, we're in a small town there's other possibilities out there! It's not just going to have to end at high school!" she said. "You could still go on and play - even if it's hard with, like, not a high-ranking team - by just wanting to play and showing that passion!"

"I'm going to play whatever position they tell me, and put a smile on my face as long as I play the game!"