"Doubt Becomes The Spark" by Makayla Garcia

Makayla Garcia

32-4A

Jubilee High School

Sports Played: XC/Track, Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer

Class of 2025

Coach Name:  Robert Lopez & Carla Reyna    

Academic Achievements and Awards: Valedictorian, Published Author DHR proceedings, All-Academic teams, Gold President’s Award, Leadership Award, Empowerment Award, National Hispanic Recognition Award

Athletic Achievements and Awards:

Cross Country: School MVP, Regional Qualifier, First-team all district, East All Star

Basketball: All-Academic team, First-team all district

Volleyball: All-Academic team

Soccer: All-Academic team, Honorable mention

My name is Makayla Garcia, I was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. I was never really athletic growing up. Nonetheless, when I started middle school I started participating in various sports. Going into my freshman year, I was encouraged to join cross country. To my surprise, I fell in love with it. I was never really a runner, I just enjoyed playing with my teammates. I had an exciting freshman year, going to playoffs, regionals, and getting to learn from so many upperclassmen, I was excited on how the next years of my high school athletic career would go. After working hard all summer, I tore my ACL on the first day of volleyball practice. This experience changed who I was as an athlete and made me appreciate the small moments. After tearing my ACL, I felt I had so much time to make up since I missed out on basically a whole year of sports. But this injury also reshaped my perspective on what it meant to be an athlete and what it took to truly appreciate the journey.

In both my Sophomore year and junior year, I tore my ACL. It was extremely hard to overcome, both mentally and physically. After my freshman year, I was so excited to see the progress I would make and how I could contribute to my team. Playing sports, especially running cross country had become such a big part of my identity, and losing that outlet was heartbreaking. The frustration of being sidelined and watching my teammates improve while I was stuck in recovery was overwhelming at times. The first time I tore my ACL, I was devastated. It took me a while to fully recover, having an injury like that makes coming back to sports terrifying. One wrong move and I would have to start all over. I refused to let it define me. Rehab was grueling, but I showed up every day with a positive mindset. I leaned on my support system, my coaches, teammates, and family, and I started focusing on the bigger picture. When I finally recovered, I was determined to make up for the time I had lost. That year, I became first-team all-district, a regional qualifier, and school MVP for cross country. I helped my volleyball team make the playoffs and started my basketball season strong. Then, during a basketball tournament, my worst fear came true—I tore my right ACL. The second recovery was different. I knew what to expect, and more importantly, I understood how much of the battle was mental. I was less afraid to return to sports because I had already proven to myself how strong and capable my body truly was. Now, after every race and every game, I thank God that I’m able to compete injury-free. These injuries have shaped me into the athlete and person I am today. Without them, I don’t believe I would have pushed so hard or appreciated each moment as deeply. Although these injuries impacted me greatly, I can now look at them with appreciation. They pushed me to my limits, both physically and mentally, and ultimately helped me grow stronger. Now, on my final track season of my high school career, I hope to end it with a bang and make sure my hard work was worth it.

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Coming from a smaller school, it’s easy to doubt your abilities, especially when going up against bigger schools with more established programs and larger teams. There were times during meets when I looked around and felt intimidated by runners who had access to more resources and experience. It made me question whether my training was enough, or if I even belonged on the same starting line. Especially after experiencing my first big injury, I thought I’d never be the same athlete I once was. In my eyes, I already was a step lower than everyone else, now after my injury I thought I’d never be able to compete on a level even remotely close. I then realized that getting to compete with people on a higher level than me was a privilege and a chance to grow. I now look at these experiences with gratitude and see them as stepping stones that pushed me to become better.

To someone who wants to start running Cross Country my main words of advice would be to not be scared. Although the long miles and early mornings sound intimidating, the sense of community and achievement make it all worth it. The most rewarding part of cross country isn’t just about the PRS and medals, it’s about the sense of community and the pride in knowing that you're giving your all alongside teammates who are doing the same. There’s something powerful about running together, supporting each other, and celebrating both individual and team achievements. And remember, cross country is as much about mental toughness as it is about physical endurance. Stay patient with yourself, trust the training, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Even if you don’t see yourself as a “runner”, joining cross country gives you an opportunity to surprise yourself and see how hard you can push.

Running long distances is a very demanding sport, especially with physical strain, it's hard not to feel burnt out at times. Nonetheless, any thoughts of quitting were quickly wiped away when I realized how much I wanted this. The passion I had for my sport and the goals I set for myself were stronger than any temporary exhaustion I might be feeling. To an athlete that is considering quitting their sport, always remember why you started. Remember all the pain and hard work you put into your sport and make it worth it. Especially those running cross country, know that every runner around you is experiencing similar pain. The love you have for your sport will help you push through those challenging moments.

One of the most impactful words from a Coach would be “Mind over matter, because if you don’t mind, it doesn’t really matter”. These words from my cross county coach, Coach Lopez, helped me greatly when I was overcoming my injuries. Because overcoming an injury is hard, especially on the mental state of an athlete, sometimes it’s important to have confidence and remember that sometimes it’s the mental barrier you have to break. Once you break that mental block, everything will be easier. Seeing how strong that mental barrier is when comparing the recovery time of my two injuries, was mind blowing. It reminded me that if you believe in your ability to overcome something, you're already halfway there. These words also help me while competing in cross country. It’s a very demanding sport, both physically and mentally, and often it’s not about how fast you are, but how strong you are mentally. During races, when exhaustion sets in and every part of your body wants to stop, remembering "mind over matter" reminds me to push through. If I can keep my mindset strong and refuse to let fatigue control my thoughts, I know I can finish strong and make my school proud.

To me, the words “Embrace Doubt” mean that doubt and challenges aren’t something to be ashamed of. Every challenge, every moment of doubt, has made me stronger and more determined to reach new heights. Without mistakes or misfortunes, we can never grow. As an athlete, you will see challenges in many different forms. Instead of letting it break you down, embrace it. Embrace the fact you’ve had doubt, and let it show how much better you are because of it. Embracing doubt shows that during your darkest times, you didn’t give up. I believe that these words hold such significance, not just to athletes but in general. Embracing your setbacks allows you to rise above them, to learn, and to become stronger in the process. It reminds you that the greatest growth often happens outside your comfort zone, where doubt becomes the spark for your greatest achievements.

My dream is to complete medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon. I know how demanding sports injuries can be to athletes and how it hurts them both physically and mentally. In the long run, I hope to open my own orthopedic practice here in the valley with a focus on the athletes of the RGV. My goal is to prioritize not just a quick and stable recovery, but also to ensure that athletes are supported emotionally throughout the healing process.

In five years, I see myself having completed my undergraduate degree in biology and attending medical school, working toward my dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. I want to stay focused on my passion for helping others, especially athletes, and continue building the foundation for opening my own orthopedic practice in the Rio Grande Valley one day. I also hope that I continue my love for sports, especially running, as they have been such a big part of my life. Even if I’m not competing anymore, I want to keep running as part of my daily routine. Running has taught me discipline, resilience, and how to push through challenges, and I hope to embrace those ideals throughout the rest of my life.

-Makayla Garcia/Embrace Doubt

Photographer Unknown

Coach's Cut

As her coach for the past four years, I have had the privilege of witnessing first hand her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and unmatched perseverance qualities.

Makayla is a four-year letterman in Volleyball, Basketball, Cross Country, and Track, excelling in every sport she has competed in. Her ability to set and achieve ambitious goals is remarkable, and she consistently leads by example, inspiring her teammates both on and off the field. She is a true embodiment of resilience, having faced adversity head-on and emerging stronger each time.

Her sophomore year, Makayla suffered a devastating ACL tear. A setback that would have ended the careers of many. However, with relentless determination, she fully recovered in just six months and returned to qualify for the Regional Cross Country Meet in her junior year. Then, in yet another test of her character, she tore her other ACL during basketball season. Instead of letting this define her, she tackled rehabilitation with the same fierce determination and once again qualified for Regionals in Cross Country within six months. Now, in her senior year, she continues to compete at an elite level and is on track to qualify for the Regional Track Meet in the 3200-meter run.

-Coach Robert Lopez

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