By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Thanks to Friday’s athletic scholarship signing, Anthony Garza’s college future is set.
Beginning next school year, the standout senior at Rivera will be running track and cross country on a full scholarship for the Bethel University Wildcats of McKenzie, Tenn. Bethel competes at the NAIA Division I level.
“I love running and it’s something I can see myself doing in the future, so this feels very good,” said Garza of Friday’s signing at the Rivera campus in the presence of classmates, teammates, school staff members and family. “I’ll be over there to prepare myself to get a job (by getting a college education).
“I’m excited,” he added. “It’s a new experience and a new challenge for me as I enter the next chapter of my life. Since my friend (and former Rivera teammate) Cristian Machuca is already over there (running for the Wildcats), I can kind of compare myself to how he’s doing to see how I can expect to do on the team. I know he’ll show me the ropes.
“It’ll be fun over there. I want to do well, and I can see myself doing well there as well.”
Besides Machuca, a 2015 Rivera graduate, there are two other Brownsville runners competing for Bethel. They are Jesus Garza and Carlos Gonzalez. Both are Pace graduates.
Anthony Garza was a key member of Rivera cross country squads that won the past two District 32-6A titles and advanced to the UIL state meet in 2014. In track, Anthony Garza competes in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. He advanced to the Region IV-6A meet last season as a junior.
“Anthony was really a leader of our group,” said Raiders cross country coach Arturo Hurtado, who has taught and coached 36 years in Brownsville ISD. “Anthony’s a tough cookie, a tough runner. He’s following Cristian, who signed a scholarship to run over there last year.
“I’m very happy to see something like this (signing) happen because education comes first,” the veteran coach added. “This is a chance for Anthony to move to the next level. I would like for him to do well. Actually, I don’t really worry about it because I have a pretty good feeling that he’ll be successful.”
The standout runner for the Raiders said he plans to study nursing at Bethel.
“I love my team here at Rivera,” Garza said. “I enjoy spending time with my teammates whether we’re running or outside of running. We hang out at each other’s homes and it’s good fellowship. I hope some (more) of the guys can make it over to where I’m going in Tennessee.
“I just want to say that I thank God for everything He’s done for me and for the talent He’s given me,” Garza added.
“Thank you to everyone who is supporting me, too.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.