Running around on a court. Chasing a green ball with a racket. Full concentration. Sweating. Hot. Smash!
Tennis is one of the many sports offered here at Chaparral, and the program is turning a few heads in the district as the competition in the 4A Division is heading towards playoffs.
Our senior players are: Gabriel Nicholas Milner, Desarae Campos, and Enrique Vega Santiago.
Milner, who was the only boy on the team last year, was excited to come back this season. “I want to make something out of my high school life and be part of something,” he said. Milner actively recruited players to come out and give tennis a try.
Campos said she joined tennis to have a sport, “Tennis helps distract my mind from negativity.”
Vega Santiago said that he joined the team this year simply because, “It looked like something fun to play.
Our junior players are: Santiago Bont-Rangel, Jacob Kamalani, David Hernandez Miranda, Lizet Mora-Garcia, and Yazmin Gamino-Mora.
Bont-Rangel, the team captain, played for Valley High School last year and decided to continue with tennis this season with Chaparral. “Tennis is great because of the relationships you build, the people you meet, and the overall experience.”
Hernandez Miranda agreed and added that, “Tennis is a great communion sport if you’re not so talkative.”
“Tennis also helps me keep up my grades and attendance,” said Mora-Garcia, who just joined the team this year.
Sophomores this season are: Eliana Sarabia, who attends ECTA, and Marten Heimer, a German exchange student.
“I got into tennis during COVID. All of the basketball and volleyball courts were closed, but the tennis courts were open. I really enjoy it,” said Sarabia. Tennis is also a family sport,and Sarabia can often be seen hitting with her dad and brother. She added that her favorite professional player is Roger Federer.
Heimer said “Tennis is an especially a nice hobby to have and lots of social activity and psychological benefits. Overall, tennis isn’t just about playing a sport, but maybe giving you a safe space or helping you make new friends that’ll feel like family.
Coach Francie Angelov has coached tennis for the last several years at different school. “I am excited to coach here at Chap and introduce tennis to students that maybe have never played before,” said Angelov. “Tennis is a life time sport and a great sport to keep you physically active even when you’re older.”
All interviewed agree that sweating and having fun is good for both your health and development.