PALOMO SIGNS TO PLAY RUGBY AT UW

By Patrick Lujan

Add Gabriel Palomo to the long list of stateside Guam Blooded athletes doing great things with a bright future.

The newly high school graduate from Camas High School in Camas, Washington, Palomo finished with a 3.96 GPA and was a team captain of the football team.

Playing right guard on the offensive line, Palomo and The Mean Machine made it to the 4A state championship (the highest division in high school sports) before losing by a field goal in the last three seconds of the game at Huskies Stadium (University of Washington).

That is where he’ll attend college as he signed a letter of intent to play rugby.

Son of Michael and Sheila Palomo, Gabriel and twin sister Alyssa were born and raised in the southern most part of Washington but have visited Guam several times since he was a toddler, including just last summer. (Note: dad Michael was part of the original Toto Nomads)

The younger Palomo played all four high school years on the football team – the last three on varsity. At 5-foot-10 and 195 lbs, those are not your ideal numbers for the offensive line. But it’s what Palomo brings to the game that drew attention.

“I’m not the biggest, but I’m strong and fast and my technique is good,” Palomo said.

What stood out in the coaches eyes was Palomo’s effort – a common characteristic of Guam athletes near and far.

“I’d show up and work my (butt) off. That’s one thing that stuck with me. I just showed up to better myself, but it got noticed. I just built a routine every morning. If I didn’t go to Zero Period lifts (before 7 am), it didn’t feel right.”

New to Rugby

Palomo also played lacrosse in his freshman and sophomore year, but needed to “play something a little more physical.”

Switching over to rugby, it was a natural transition from football. With the Camas Rugby Club, his squad made it to the state finals and semifinals of the Rugby Washington League in his two years where he played the front row at Props 1.

“I wanted to run the ball since in football, I don’t get to touch the ball,” Palomo explained.

Now he’s off to play for the University of Washington club team where he’s expected to play Props or Hooker.

“Again, I’m not the biggest, but my coach said my technique is good,” he said about the college recruitment.

Camas sits at the southern most portion of Washington – much closer to Portland than Seattle – but Palomo will be taking the train north for the 3+ hour ride to his new school this fall.

Future Goals

As a scholar athlete, Palomo already has his sights set on the future. With a childhood vision on flying, he plans to apply for aerospace, go into the Navy ROTC program and eventually become a fighter pilot.

“It will be a lot of hard work, but it will all work out. My dad always taught me, ‘if you think no one is looking, everyone is looking’.”

His high school football coaches were watching. His new college rugby coaches were watching. Now Guam watches.