Alamogordo grad named to Scholar All-America team

Recent Alamogordo High School graduate Keith Wilder was recently named to the United Soccer Coaches High School Scholar All-America Team.

The Scholar All-American team awards high school athletes who have at least a 3.75 GPA and were a member of an all-state selection.

“We’ve had All-American players, but I think Keith may be the first one to get the academic All-American selection,” Coach Lee Wilder said.

Coach Wilder, Keith’s father, is a member of the United Soccer Coaches organization which sends out information about upcoming award eligibility.

For the Scholar All -America Team, Keith was eligible, Coach Wilder said.

Keith was one of 28 student athletes chosen nationwide.

Keith had a 4.2 GPA and a 5.0 in his senior season, Coach Wilder said.

Keith will be starting as a junior at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces this fall.

“I’ve always done college with high school classes and I’m just really looking forward, kind of, to doing college all by itself and getting the full experience,” Keith said.

Keith has one semester to go before he can apply to the nursing program at NMSU. He will be attending on a full scholarship.

He was one of three students to participate in the dual-credit program and graduate high school with both a diploma and an associate degree.

He does not plan to play soccer in college.

Keith received a certificate and a medal in honor of his selection. Alamogordo High School also received a medal and a certificate to display at the school.