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Monday, November 5, 2001
Calallen offensive tackle is no pushover
Even while caring for ill mother, Zach Gaubert never slipped at school or on field
By Venessa Santos-Garza
Caller-Times
Contact Venessa Santos-Garza at 886-3752 or santosv@caller.com

Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times

Calallen offensive tackle Zach Gaubert carries a tough load of classes, but is still ranked third in his class. His father works near Dallas and his brothers are at college, so when his mother became ill he had to take care of her and the household. His work in school and on the field never slipped.

   Zach Gaubert is a quiet giant.
   The 6-foot-1-inch, 220-pound Calallen High School offensive tackle doesn't ever have a whole lot to say, but he makes his presence known on and off the football field.
   "You would not know he was around most of the time unless you're playing against him," Athletic Director and football coach Phil Danaher said.
   Danaher marvels at Zach's achievements and the obstacles he has had to overcome to get there. Zach's mother, Pamela, was recovering from several surgeries during most of his junior year, but the teen never faltered. With his father, Gerry, working in Denton near Dallas and brothers Nathan, 20, and Josh, 19, attending Texas A&M University at College Station, Zach was left to take care of things.
   "I never really realized what a tough job he had until his mother wrote me a letter to tell me what he was going through, but he never let on," Danaher said.
   "He was never late for school, never missed a homework assignment, never missed a practice and never gave less than his usual dedication."
   The 17-year-old Caller-Times/Channel 6 South Texas Distinguished Scholar in the student athlete category is just as dedicated in the classroom as he is on the field. Despite a tough school schedule piled high with honors classes, band and football practices, and responsibilities at home, Zach still manages to rank third in his class of 307 with a 5.21 grade point average - well over the "A" average of 4.0.
   "I just do what I have to do to take care of everything," Zach said. "I just don't worry about things too much and just get things done."
   Zach has only scored one "B" in his entire high school career - an 89 in advanced placement history last year.
   Pamela Gaubert said she doesn't think she could have made it through the past two years without her youngest son.
   "He is my hero," Gaubert said. "He was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders and he just kept right on smiling."
   Gaubert said she is proud of all three of her boys and thinks it may be good old-fashioned sibling rivalry that keeps Zach going. Nathan, who is studying chemistry, ranked 11th and Josh, who is majoring in chemical engineering, ninth in their graduating classes
   "It is like the battle of the brains," Gaubert laughed. "And Zach had some pretty big shoes to fill."
   Zach, who will attend Texas A&M University at College Station to study mechanical engineering next fall, thinks his mom could be right.
   "(My brothers) help me out a lot. You know, they make sure I stay on track and don't slack off too much," Zach said. "And it doesn't hurt to say I can beat them out."

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