Freshmen going through learning experience together

McALLEN - McAllen Memorial freshmen Matthew Kaufmann and Jacob Garza have two advantages over many of the athletes who will compete at this weekend's regional track & field meet .

They've already played in front of crowds which don't like them. They've been the enemy and played in games where everybody's watching them. Last fall, Kaufmann and Garza were key members of Memorial's District 30-5A champion football team, with Kaufmann the starting quarterback and Garza a wide receiver. Now Kaufmann is a pole vaulter, who qualified for the regional meet by finishing second at the 30-5A event while Garza won the 110- and  300-meter hurdles and finished second in the high jump.

"It was awesome," Garza said. "Doing that, you think you can do anything. The competition in varsity football is crazy and fun."

Though the crowd in San Antonio probably won't be as fierce this weekend, they both can draw from their fall experiences to get them through what is usually a chaotic and intense event. And if that doesn't work, they can talk to their closest friend about what they are feeling and how to get past it.

Each other.

"We're always competing and all kinds of other stuff," Kaufmann said. "I don't think I'd be where I am without him."

Together, Garza and Kaufmann have accomplished more in one year than most athletes would expect to in four years of high school. Their quick track to success has raised their expectations of themselves, not to mention the expectations of Memorial fans and followers.

Not that Kaufmann and Garza are weighed down too greatly by those expectations or pressure which could come.

"I've been thinking about that and I can't wait," Garza said. "In three years, hopefully we will have gone deep in the playoffs and have improved each year in track."

But before they can meet their expectations and maybe those of people around them, they have to get through this season. Even though they have played in playoff games and against heated rivals, they both know that this weekend could be a different experience.

And they're both glad their best friend will be nearby.

"We're together about 24-7, so we talk about it a lot," Kaufmann said. "If we're scared about something we talk about it, talk about how to get through it."

Brian Sandalow covers high school sports for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.