In 2004, Garcia won his first national championship in
inline speed skating and was named Inline Skater of the Year. He subsequently made three world teams and won a bronze medal at the
2006 Inline World Championships in Korea. warm up for an inline competition in 2007 In 2006, Garcia watched fellow Texan and former inline skater
Chad Hedrick win three gold medals at the Olympics. Hendricks' wins inspired Garcia to make the transition to speed skating in hopes of making an Olympic team. At the United States Olympic Trials in December 2013, Garcia turned in a time of 34.85s, 0.29 better than his personal best, in his second 500-meter race. His combined time from two skates placed him fourth, and Garcia appeared to qualify for the
2014 Winter Olympics. However, he had failed to wear a transponder, which serves as a third timing device in some races, on his ankle. Garcia's time was disallowed as a result. He was granted a re-skate, but his re-skate time was good enough for only sixth place, outside the qualifying position. "Today was tough, especially because I qualified for that fourth spot," Garcia remarked.
Shani Davis, who claimed the fourth spot after Garcia's disqualification remarked, "I was really pulling for Garcia to pull through and, make the spot, even if it knocked me off the team ... I want the best skaters to go." Garcia was coached by
Ryan Shimabukuro. He competed in the 500-meter, 1000-meter, and 1500-meter-long track events. He lists his turns as his greatest speed skating strength. ==Ice hockey coaching career==