LFHS SENIOR JENNIFER ZAPATA QUALIFIES FOR STATE CROSS COUNTRY MEET

by Audrey Urbis

For senior cross country runner Jennifer Zapata, qualifying for the Texas UIL Class 5A Cross Country State Championships was once only a distant ambition.

After two years of rigorous training and remarkable commitment, running at the state meet is now a thrilling reality.

Zapata placed 9th out of the 230 girls who ran the 5A Region IV Cross Country Championships in San Antonio Nov. 2, guaranteeing her a highly-coveted spot – one of only 10 runners from Region IV – in the state race Saturday at Settler’s Park in Round Rock.

Finishing the hilly 5-kilometer course with a personal record time of 18 minutes, 15 seconds was a feat that left Zapata grateful for the “incredible support of her teammates, coaches, and her entire Falcon family.” She attributes such success to the guidance and encouragement that she has consistently received from her head coach Jennifer Gantt and assistant coach Frank Falcon.

Zapata vividly recalled hearing her coaches passionately yelling during the last 500 meters of the race. “It was their voices that motivated me all the way to the finish.”

Several girls were bunched up in the ninth place position with 500 meters to go. Since only 10 from regional qualified for state, the finish was a furious one.

“The course was very challenging and the dry weather conditions definitely affected my breathing,” Zapata said. Despite running in a setting that resembled such a stark contrast to the flat streets in Los Fresnos with typical humidity, Zapata resolved to end the season with no regrets.

“It’s my senior year and I wasn’t going to leave any ‘what ifs’ out on the regional course,” Zapata said. She also felt that mental toughness was a key component of her race. “I just kept repeating to myself that I wasn’t tired.”

Zapata’s impressive discipline and demonstrated ability will undoubtedly provide her with future opportunities to run in college. Currently, she is considering pursuing a cross country scholarship at The University of Texas-San Antonio or entering the United States Marine Corps.

Anticipating the state championship Saturday, Zapata is now convinced that her commitment to training – including all the 6 a.m. morning practices, 13-mile long runs, and grueling mile repeats – has paid off.

Zapata recognizes that the race will be “extremely competitive” but is eager to embrace the challenge.