In August, when the Aptos High School football team played highly ranked Oakdale (No. 69 in the state), Aptos came away with a 39-29 victory. The Mariners got a boost from Shania Garza, the first girl in Aptos High School history to score a point for the team. She’s the kicker.
Shania Garza
She shares her story with the Aptos Times.
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How did it feel to score for the football team?
I feel it’s honor to be able to score for the football team as the first girl at Aptos High School — a moment that will go down in history for the school.
You had to make a 128-mile trip to play. Were there any other girls on that trip? If not, what’s it like being the sole girl on the team?
I am the only girl on the team. It’s definitely different from a team full of girls but it’s fun, they all have there own really funny personalities, which makes the team always entertaining.
How did you make the football team roster? How did your soccer experience make a difference? How long have you been playing soccer?
I have had a good connection with the JV coach because he was my weight-training teacher, and I had mentioned to him that I’ve always wanted to kick for football, and was asking if that would be possible.
And so he had talked to the varsity head coach, Coach Blankenship, and he gave me a chance to kick and it went well so I was able to have the chance to join the team!
I have been playing soccer for 9 years now, and I believe without soccer I wouldn’t be able to play football without all the skills, discipline and sportsmanship it has taught me over the years.
What’s your favorite soccer memory?
My favorite memory from soccer would probably be going all the way to Seattle for a Seattle University ID camp. It’s just such a fun time, I get to do two things I love doing most, which is playing soccer and traveling and exploring a new place while meeting so many new people from all over the U.S. who have the same passion as me with soccer!
What’s your favorite subject at Aptos High?
My favorite subject at Aptos High is math. It’s a love-hate relationship for sure. But it’s always fun to do.
Any extracurriculars besides sports?
I do love doing community service and helping out others in our community!
What do you want to do after you graduate?
I would like to go to a four-year university and play soccer there. Then pursuing medical school to become a plastic surgeon.
Who inspires you?
My mom has been my main inspiration. While raising me and my sister, she worked full-time while obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing.
She has always encouraged me and my sister to surpass her goals in life and to follow our dreams.