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LAS VEGAS, N.M. – There are a lot of things senior kicker
Zach Tapia can be proud of during his New Mexico Highlands career. His first season with the Cowboys in 2012, he was 16-25 (64 percent) on field goals, including making 4-6 (66.7 percent) field goals 50 yards or longer with a season-best of 55 yards.
In fact, Tapia's 55 and 53 yard field goals were the two longest field goals in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2012. Coupled with two 50-yarders, Tapia had the most field goals 50 yards or longer in the country. In fact, Tapia had 13.7 percent (four of 29) of all such field goals in NCAA Division II in 2012.
However, all the success on the gridiron almost never happened. Diagnosed with attention deficit disorder as a senior in high school, Tapia very nearly did not graduate.
"People were mentioning most of my life I may have attention deficit disorder, and I nearly did not graduate high school," Tapia recalled. "I had to cram a couple of classes and even attend another high school for a class. It was last second I was able to graduate. College has been a lot easier for me because now I have access to all the help I need to help me. I actually have had an easier time in college than high school."
For someone who had to rush around to just graduate high school and with ADD, it came as a surprise to some that Tapia would decide to go to college and play college football."
"My friends and family were like 'wow' when I told them I was going to attend college and play football," Tapia said. "They knew my grade situation in high school so everyone was happy for me, but I knew they were surprised. Now that I am close to graduating, I know they are still a bit shocked but I know they are thrilled for me. For me to become eligible when I came here, I just had to keep my grades up. Redshirting my first year was not the plan."
On the playing field, Tapia has had quite the career. Besides his 2012 success, he is having a 2014 to remember. The highlight of Tapia's current season came when he made all four field goals, including three longer than 45 yards in Highlands improbable 46-43 win against Western State Colorado on Oct. 18. Going 4-for-5 in extra points to finish the game with 16 points, Tapia was named RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week on Oct. 20 after making the 46-yard game winning field goal as time expired against the Mountaineers.
In 2014, Tapia is 11-13 in field goals (84.6 percent) and is 35-64 (54.6 percent) for his career.
However, when asked about his greatest memory of his time at Highlands, Tapia is quick to recall the totality of his experiences rather than one moment.
"People assume my greatest memory would be my game-winning kick against Western State. It was a great moment and every kicker wants to have that opportunity. I guess my greatest memory at Highlands I guess is not one single moment but the whole time playing football here.
"It is amazing how you can be up and everyone thinks you're the best and looks at you and notices you, but things can get terrible but you are still the same person. It is all but how you learn to react to these moments," Tapia added.
After four seasons, Tapia is close to graduating and is looking past his football career.
"I am close to graduating, but I am going to spread it out as I have a class I need to graduate that is offered next spring. I am looking at possibly playing rugby next year or even baseball," Tapia said.
Having to deal with his ADD has given Tapia some perspective and even be a little philosophical.
"It all has to do with your thoughts. If you let other people's opinions matter to you, it will get you down. I realized it is all down to me. I have tried not to take my medication in overcoming ADD because I believe it is a huge mental block, and I feel at Highlands I have become more intellectual and grew up. I realized if I wanted to overcome my ADD, it comes down to if I want to do it or not, it all comes down to me. The decision to do well comes down to me and deciding just to get it done."
His success on the gridiron has definitely been great, but accomplishing what he has is truly inspiring.
