Today Reagan’s Gavin Chapa signed his national letter of intent to run Cross Country and Track for Texas A&M University.
A 4x Cross Country Letterman and 3x Track Letterman, Chapa originally started running to get back in shape for soccer after breaking his hip his 8th grade season. He signed up for Reagan’s Summer Cross Country Venom Camp and hasn’t looked back since, quitting all other sports to focus on running as he fell in love with the sport’s competitive atmosphere.
Over his Rattler Cross Country career Chapa is a back to back 2x District Champion, a 3x member of the THSCA 6A Super-Elite Team, 3x member of the All-State Team, and 2x member of the CCCAT All-State Team. Chapa’s Reagan Track accomplishments are no less impressive – he is a 3x Track Area Champion, 2x San Antonio All-City Track Team (1600m), and he holds the District’s all-time course record for the 5000m. Combining the two sports, Chapa is a 3x State medalist, 6x State Qualifier, and 11x Regional Qualifier.
During his junior year, Chapa led Reagan’s Cross Country Team to their first State Team Qualification in 20 years. A favorite memory of his time spent running for Reagan, Chapa recalled, “Up until the results were posted, the team had felt as though it was going to be the same old story of Reagan not surpassing Regionals. However, when we saw that we qualified I remember seeing my team light up and it was such a surreal experience to be a part of.”
Embracing the “Student” in “Student Athlete”, Chapa is on track (pun intended) to graduate Summa Cum Laude in the top 8% of his class, is part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program as well as a National Merit Scholarship Qualifier. “I chose Texas A&M for its amazing Business School, its countless opportunities through the Aggie Network, and a welcoming community that I found unmatched at any other college,” he said.
Chapa credits his success in athletics and in the classroom to making hard decisions and sacrifices for long term goals in lieu of short term comforts. To future Rattlers he advises, “Whether it’s prioritizing what’s important, staying disciplined, or pushing through setbacks, success demands resilience and a willingness to embrace discomfort to achieve something greater.”
No doubt great things ahead – keep up with Gavin by following Texas A&M XC and TF on Instagram @aggietfxc @tamu
Once a Rattler, always a Rattler! Gig ‘Em Aggies!
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Photo courtesy of Alamo Sports Photography.