By ROY HESS | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
PORT ISABEL — Of all the important days in Natalie Garza’s life, Wednesday was one of the most memorable.
The Port Isabel track star signed an athletic scholarship agreement to run for the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg.
Family, fellow students, coaches, teachers and school administrators were all on hand to witness the NCAA Division I signing at a noon-time ceremony in the school lunch room. She inked her scholarship agreement during the NCAA’s early signing period.
Garza now joins an elite group of athletes for the Lady Tarpons who recently have signed track scholarships to compete at the highest level collegiately. Others include Daniella Murchison (SMU) and Gabriyella Torres (UT-San Antonio), who currently are still competing at their schools.
Going into her senior season of track, Garza already has advanced to the UIL state meet as a sophomore and junior in the 400-meter dash. She placed in the top five both times.
Garza said it’s a relief to know she can now concentrate solely on competing during the coming months and not have to be concerned if she would receive a track scholarship. Wednesday’s signing took care of that.
“I feel that I have accomplished a lot in four years being here at Port Isabel High School,” said Garza, who plans to pursue a speech therapy degree in college. “I’ve been thinking about this (day) since seventh grade when it was our time to go into athletics. I’ve dreamed about getting a scholarship for track. It’s something I’ve worked hard for and now I’m receiving what I wanted.
“Honestly, it feels very worthwhile for all the hard work I’ve put in,” she added. “All the effort I’ve given has finally paid off. I still want to go out there and try my best (during my senior season) and improve on my time and everything. I want to drop my time to 56 seconds (in the 400) and hopefully get top three at state.”
Garza’s personal best in the 400 meters is 57.52 seconds. She finished with a 57.62 to place fifth in the 400 at last season’s state meet in Austin. She was fourth at state as a sophomore in 58.23.
Her times consistently have ranked among the Valley’s best. She also runs the 800 meters.
“It’s just an exciting feeling to see Natalie sign,” Lady Tarpons coach Julie Breedlove said. “You just can’t help but beam from ear to ear to know that the (signing) day has finally come. She’s such a hard worker and so deserving of this. Natalie is always looking for ways to get better. More importantly, she’s trusted her training, knowing that it would help her become better. She is an athlete with a lot of mental toughness who has that desire to push herself and improve.
“She’s very excited about going to UTRGV, and this (early signing) will help her focus a little more on her upcoming season,” Breedlove added. “Natalie has just been a blessing to me and this track team. We’ve watched Natalie grow and improve since she was a seventh-grader. We’ve seen her do some amazing things, and to have it all come to fruition with this signing, I’m very proud of her and all along I knew she could do it. I’m excited for her.”
Garza has a lot of people who have helped her along the way on her track journey that now includes running at the NCAA Division I level.
“I thank everyone in my life — my mother (Celestina ‘Sally’ Salazar), grandpa, grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins and coaches,” Garza said. “Just thank you to everyone who has been there to guide me and assist me in what I have accomplished.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess