ATA CP Senior Erik Kerrigan Commits To University Of Chicago

ATA College Prep Senior Erik Kerrigan announced to his classmates and teachers last week that he plans to attend the University Of Chicago next fall – the number 4-ranked national university and the number 3-ranked NCAA Division III tennis program in the country.

“I am looking forward to stretching my mind and expanding my horizons at one of the top 5 universities in the world,” Erik said.

Earlier this month, Erik was also named a Commended Student in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program.

About 34,000 Commended Students were recognized this year for their exceptional academic promise. Commended students placed among the to 5{37ef6ac642fae6f93f343032eb62785d28fa7a25a4a4f0267a12512c541c53a9} of more that 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

“I felt very prepared for the test,” Erik said. “The best way to do well on these tests is to do enough practice that you have effectively seen any kind of problem that will be asked.”

Erik specifically appreciated the guidance he received from ATA CP’s math and science specialist, Bryan Rutherford.

“Mr. Rutherford did a fantastic job when I came to him asking for help. He provided me with practice materials and was willing to take some of his free time to go over problems with me.”

Erik has been part of the ATA program for 6 years, and began ATA CP as a sophomore. Since beginning College Prep, Erik has become one of the best tennis players in the state. He is learning the importance of managing his time and his energy, thinking creatively and mastering problem solving, all of which are important preparation for a successful collegiate scholar-athlete.

“The biggest positives about CP for me include small classes, easy to access teachers, and lack of busywork,” Erik said. “All work assigned will help you grow, not just take up time.”

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Erik’s daily routine at CP begins with a morning workout 7:45-9:30AM. He steps off the court and into school, selects a taco for breakfast and prepares for his CP Leadership meeting. Following a college block schedule, he moves from Computer Science to Debate to English Literature to Government to French on MW&F, and from Linear Algebra to Anatomy & Physiology on T & Th. His private lessons and fitness programming are interwoven throughout his days. Often, he finished with afternoon practice from 4-6PM and fitness from 6-7PM.

“I like that at CP, you can always find your teachers for help, and that classes don’t assign a lot of homework simply to take up time, they assign what needs to be known.”

This rigorous academic load is designed to prepare Erik and the other students for what comes next at a top-tier academic school. The intensity of two-a-day workouts, small group intensives, and individualized lessons are preparing him for elite college fitness training.

Erik will join a Men’s Varsity team at UChicago that competes in the NCAA DIII and consistently finishes in the top 5 nationally.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of making the lineup at a team contending for a National title, and being a leader on that team going forward.”

According to U.S. News & World Reports, the University of Chicago ties with Stanford and Columbia as the number 4-ranked national university. Erik will predictably step into a competitive environment with some of the brightest young adults in the world, including future teammate and ATA CP alum Liam Leddy.

“We’re very excited to have Erik joining us next year,” Liam said. “While I will have graduated by the time Erik gets to campus, it’s nice to know that ATA CP will still have representation on the team and at the university. I know that Erik will better the team, and UChicago will better him on and, most importantly, off the court.”

While the experience of living away from family and having a new setting around him are exciting, ultimately, it is the people he will spend his time with that set U of Chicago apart from other options.

“I think the combination of being near a big city, coupled with a great group of guys on the team, and a laid back coach made it a perfect combination for me.”

Jake Riezebeek Earns Sportsmanship Award!

Jake Riezebeek was awarded the Clarence Mabry Sportsmanship award for the Wichita Falls Super Champ in November. It is an award voted on by the umpires and the tournament staff. He earned it by giving it his all every point, all while staying calm, collected and respecting his opponent. Congratulations to Jake for his accomplishment and for representing ATA well.

ATA’s Ryan Leman: The World’s Fastest Stringer, And So Much More

ATA’s head stringer Ryan Leman recently claimed his spot as the fastest tennis racquet stringer in the world at the International Alliance of Racket Technicians (IART) symposium. He followed that up by captivating an audience of Little Mo Nationals families with a breathtaking fire-spinning performance last week. Next week, Ryan will host a Circadian Sound Meditation at a music festival in Austin.

“There are many things in the works right now, I don’t like to be bored,” Ryan said. “Things are happening, and it’s beautiful.”

While Ryan has been stringing at ATA for the past 4 years, he was introduced to the craft as a young tennis player in Flower Mound, TX. His coach also happened to be an extremely fast stringer, and Ryan was instantly fascinated.

“I would watch him anytime I could while asking a million questions,” Ryan said. “Eventually he let me get on the machine and immediately I was addicted to timing myself and getting faster.”

Eight years later, Ryan has strung over 20,000 racquets. Last month, he traveled to Florida to attend the IART symposium. The annual event brings together the worlds best stringers and pro shop owners for an array of professional development opportunities, while featuring a Speed Stringing Contest. Ryan took home the title this year with a time of 8 minutes, 45 seconds.

Ryan also recently earned his certification as a Master Racquet Technician – the highest possible certification in the United States.

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“Stringing has become a meditative experience for me now,” Ryan said.

While he has a lot happening beyond stringing, it is a love of learning that is the common thread throughout. He channels this through his various passions, producing a fascinating mix of depth and creative expression.

Fire spinning, maybe the most dangerous of Ryan’s pursuits, involves baton-like sticks with wicks on either end that he uses to manipulate fire in ways that inspire awe in anyone watching.

“It is a very grounding and meditative experience, just like stringing, where you are in the moment right here, right now. If you mess up, you get burned. And it’s a great lesson for life: prepare yourself and your time will come with the staff. If you practice and know what moves you can do, when you light it on fire you have full confidence in the ability of your flow.”

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While Ryan connects with stringing and fire spinning at a depth that reveals to him truths about life, he also strives to connect with people.

Ryan is also a massage therapist and recently got his License from The Lauterstein-Conway Massage School.

“I love this healing modality as it allows me to connect with my friends, clients, and just about every person,” Ryan said. “Because lets be honest, who couldn’t use a massage?”

Whether it is through massage, or driving for Uber, or producing a film called Underworld (yes, he’s also a film producer), Ryan is constantly learning, constantly making connections, and constantly expressing himself.

For much of his life, Ryan has found inspiration in a few key thoughts: first, Wayne Dyer: “Love what you do, do what you love.” Next, Abraham Lincoln: “I will prepare myself and my time will come.” Lastly, Michael Garfield: “Imagination is our greatest natural resource.”

“I have looked at these few quotes for the majority of my life and I feel it is exactly what ATA is about. Prepare yourself, let the coaches and people around you help with your process, and the right situation will manifest, so make sure you dream big. And if you aren’t doing what you love, then what are you doing?”

It is also the people that make ATA his top choice of all the places he’s worked.

“What makes ATA stand out is the rest are the staff members and their dedication to the players. We have an amazing team of resources. When you mix so much talent in one academy it makes for an incredible learning environment.”

ATA College Prep Senior Hunter Bleser Commits To U Of Virginia

Hunter Bleser, a senior at ATA College Prep, recently accepted a full scholarship offer from the University of Virginia, where she will extend her academic and athletic careers beginning next fall.

“Virginia, for me, hit a home run in every aspect that I was looking for in a college,” Hunter said. “They have an incredible athletic program and are one of the top ranked schools in the country academically.

The University of Virginia was ranked the number 3 best public university in the United States according to the 2016 U.S. News and World Report rankings. Founded by Thomas Jefferson as a research university in Charlottesville, UVA enrolls about 15 thousand undergraduates and another 6 thousand graduates on campus.

“I’m excited to push my mind to its full capabilities and to have the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the brightest people out there,” said Hunter.

On the court, Hunter will look to contribute to a Cavalier team that finished the 2015 season ranked 9^th in the country. Athletically, Hunter said she is most excited to push her limits and improve.

“To have the long days where I know I’m going to be completely exhausted when I get back to my room every night and to have the practices where I feel like I’m going to die. That to me is the best part.”

Her choice ultimately came down to the University of Kansas and the University of Minnesota besides UVA. For Hunter, Virginia presented the best opportunity to excel to her full potential both academically and athletically, which is what she is most looking forward to at the next level.

“Initially though, I would have to say the academics are what drew me to it. The great athletics program was just icing on the cake,” Hunter said.

Hunter joined the ATA College Prep program the summer before her senior year. She has thrived in a program that focuses on direct preparation for the environment of high-level academics and athletics into which its students will move.

“ATA CP is different from my previous school because it is more accommodating to my busy schedule but in a college set up. The longer classes and the block schedule really makes you work harder and focus more than my previous school did. The teachers here are more understanding with my busy schedule but they make a point not to take it easy on me just because of that. ATA CP definitely gets you ready for a more college-like setting than your typical public school.”

Preparation for and guidance through the college process is a pillar of ATA CP, and was something that stood out to Hunter.

“ATA tremendously helped me in my college process. They explained to me what exactly it is coaches are looking for and encouraged me to play my game just the way it is. They also went above and beyond with helping me get connected to my dream school. I truly owe this program everything and these coaches everything!”

For Lucie Schmidhauser, her primary coach at ATA, Hunter deserves all the credit.

“Hunter impressed me from the start with her willingness to do whatever it takes to get better as a tennis player. She has a big upside that will allow her to be a successful collegiate tennis player at the University of Virginia. Her height, huge forehand and aggressive gamestyle will make her a force to be reckoned with at the highest levels of collegiate play. Hunter is also very coachable, humble and hard-working and these qualities will serve her well in the future, on and off the court.”

ATA College Prep Director Carol Hagar also praised Hunter.

“I am incredibly proud of Hunter! She came to ATA CP in full force and has taken full advantage of all that is offered here. Her positive attitude, academic diligence, and compassion for her classmates will definitely complement her future successes at UVA.”

Congratulations, Hunter!

Excellence Results Oct 3&4

Coach Lucie on G18s:

Hunter Bleser won Girls 18’s A draw, defeating 4 quality players on her way to the title. Her opponent in the finals was Janice Shin, who is currently ranked #2 in Texas and #55 in the nation in Girls 18’s. Hunter continues to improve her aggressive style game and her hard work is paying off.

Abigail Chiu placed 4th in Girls 18’s A draw. Daniela Alvarez finished 5th in her draw, while Andrea Stapper won 2 matches in her draw.

Coach Ryan on B18s:

Wilson won B Draw. Wilson won with his competitive spirit and willingness to out worn his opponents. Everyone he played fought him hard in the first set and collapsed in second because he would not give them a point. Hustling for every ball. He started to attack seconds serves which also put more pressure on them.

Alejandro hurt his back the first game of the event and even being in pain he took care of his injury and fought through the tournament and won the B18s C draw. He went down a set in the first match and could barely serve. But his toughness pulled him through.

Marcus actually won both D draws. They decided to combine them. He only dropped 2 games in he first 2 matches. In the finals the guy surprised him a little and came out strong. He changed up his style a little to lengthen points and make it physical. The guy started cramping in the end of the second set and he make him continue working and he physically and mentally outlasted his opponent.

Garrett Reiter had a good tournament and placed 3rd going 3-1 in his C draw. He lost a tough 3 setter in the semis 7-5 in the third.

Coach Brandon on G16s:

Alex Mjos had a great event making the semifinals of the A draw! On the way she beat the #4 seed 1&1 and played lights out! She has really jumped levels and she will be fun to watch moving forward as she continues to get better.

Being at the girl’s 16s site was a blast. We had 4 girls in the A draw(1/4 of the draw) and 3 in the quarterfinals. We had another 4 girls in B and C draw that had great results as well with Annika making semis of B draw, Synclair winning 3 matches and Kailee and Hannah winning 2 matches. The energy that this group brings to the site every tournament is great! And they continue to improve and push each other to get better!

Coach Vince on B16s and G12s:

Jesse Wikso did a great job this weekend. His positive attitude throughout the tournament was a direct reflection on his results. He made it to the finals without losing a set before losing a tough 3 set battle with the number one player in the state in boys 16’s.

Harrison Chiu, Bailey Forgus and Tyler Anson all had good events. They all went 3 and 1 in their draws in boys 16s. Tyler Anson placed 2nd, Bailey took 3rd and Harrison took 5th.

Sydney Marin beat the number 2 seed in her draw in girls 12’s reaching the semi finals. Her best showing since qualifying to super champs.

Coach Eric on B14s:

Varun reached the finals of the 14s C Draw (White).

Blaine also reached the finals of his respective 14s C Draw (Red), winning tough 3 set battles in the quarters and semifinals and then narrowly losing in the finals after fighting through cramps in a grueling third set. Blaine’s attitude and competitive grit have improved noticeably.

Despite injuring his left thigh in his first round match, Jett Hampton made the semifinals of the Boys 14s B Draw. Jett’s toughness and ability to bear down and compete, despite being injured, should be applauded. I never saw him whine or complain, despite his pain and inability to push off his left leg.

After losing to a quality player in the first round, Matthew won 3 consecutive matches to earn 9th place in his respective Boys 14s C Draw (Blue). Matthew’s game has improved dramatically in recent months.

Juan had a great tournament, earning 6th place in the Boys 14s A Draw. Juan’s serve has improved significantly since the summer and his forehand is becoming a huge weapon. And Juan is now willing to be aggressive under pressure. Big shout-out to Coach Notis for his excellent work with Juan.

Coach Newman on G14s:

Elena Kalogirou won her first two matches, she showed great progress from qualifying from champs a few months ago. Anushka battled in every match, excellent competitiveness from her.

Coach Carrie on B12s:

Jake Riezebeek and James Cockrell both lost in the finals of their backdraw. Jake played great for his first Super. After losing to the top seed in the first round, he fought back in 2 tough matches. His 3rd match went 3 hours and he pulled it out in the third set. Great first Supers for him! James fought hard and also pulled out a three setter in his third match. He is making big strides in his game and it has a lot to do with his attitude and him always working on it on court.

Cody went 1-3 winning his third round, his second win in Supers. He was in every match that he played and had opportunities to turn matches around.

5 ATA players playing “Little Mo” Nationals

“Little Mo” Nationals is a tournament for the top 16 players in the country in the age groups 8,9,10,11 and 12. The tournament has been held at ATA for the past 13 years. To qualify for Nationals one must compete in sectionals and move on to regionals. The top 4 from each regional tournament will qualify for Nationals. Our very own Ashley Weinhold and Blake Davis are former “Little Mo” National winners. ATA will be represented this weekend Oct 16-19 in “Little Mo” Nationals by James Cockrell in B12s, Kerry Lum G12s, Sasha Malysheva in G11s, Sydney Marin in G12s and Cody Schiffman in B11s!

Sydney Marin James Cockrell Kerry Lum Cody Schiffman Sasha Malysheva

Maureen Connolly Brinker “Little Mo”

Maureen Connolly “Little Mo” won the Grand Slam of tennis in 1953. She was the first woman to win all four Grand Slam tournaments, the Australian Championships, the French Championships, Wimbledon, and the United States Championships. She received the nickname “Little Mo” after accomplishing this triumph at only eighteen years old. Maureen and Nancy Jeffett started the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation after Maureen moved to Dallas in 1968. They started the foundation to provide funds for tennis clinics and to aid juniors who could not afford to compete nationally. Click here to find out more about the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and “Little Mo” Nationals.

ATA CP Students Praise Facility Changes

With the school year well underway at ATA College Prep, the students and teachers are settled into a rhythm in the new facility. In case you missed it, ATA CP Director Carol Hagar described much of the transition that happened over the summer in a recent post.

Now that students are fully focused on everything from French to Physics, they, too, offered their reflections on the changes.

“The new school facility for the ATA College Prep program has greatly altered the way we operate everyday,” said junior Abigail Chiu. “The new and improved buildings give us a more school-like feeling that allows us to access more resources in a more convenient space. Being closer to the courts, with more people/coaches around, has already kept me more accountable, and this is what I most appreciate. Hopefully we can all use this change to our benefit and strive to be even better student athletes.”

Payton Holden, a senior heading to Princeton University next year, echoed Abigail’s sentiment.

“I like the new school building much better because it allows me and the other students to transition from practice/lessons to school very quickly and effortlessly.”

With the school space now on the same campus as the courts, fitness center, pro shop and coaches offices, there is more of a cohesive tone between the major focal points of the program: to strive for excellence in academics, athletics and character. Alejandro Rodriguez, a junior in his second year at CP, agrees.

“ The new school facilities at ATA College Prep have redefined the way that students here study, train, and improve. The close proximity to the courts allows us to play even more than before, and the new facilities are high end, comfortable and make it easy to learn. Very excited about this year and the years to come!”

To learn more about the ATA College Prep program, please contact Carol Hagar at Carol.Hagar@AustinTennisAcademy.com.

Austin ITF – Tuesday Order Of Play

The Austin ITF is well underway. Qualifying is complete, and singles started smoothly. To see the order of play for day two, click this link – Tuesday OOP-Revised!

Saturday Quallies

Here is the draw to the Saturday Quallies for the ITF at Austin Tennis Academy. Click here – Saturday Quallies – to see it.

Champions For Life Page Up And Running

The Austin Tennis Academy is excited about its affiliation with David Benzel and his organization, Growing Champions For Life. The non-profit works to create cohesive families, healthy teams and principle-centered athletes.

Mr Benzel creates articles, videos and other media that serves as coaching material for parents of athletes. We have a dedicated page up and running on our website under the News tab where you can access this content at any time.

Take a look!

How to Achieve Whatever You Set Your Mind To Do

Coach Newman recommends this article by Inspower.co that was sent to him by a parent. It reminded the parent of what he hears from Coach Newman and the other coaches at ATA. Click here to read the entire article.

How to Achieve Whatever You Set Your Mind To Do

1. Work Hard And Quietly

Make the best use of your day
Be humble

2. Surround Yourself With Positive People

Pick positive people to spend time with that help you achieve your goals and support you

3. Keep a Positive Mindset All the Time

Start the day with positivity
You have control over your mind. Maintain this control and decide what affects you and what does not

4. Fight Overthinking

Focus on the most important things only

5. Have a Clear Purpose

Have crystal clear goals
Break down your big goal into several steps

6. You Don’t Have to Be Perfect

Accept the fact that you are not perfect; no one is perfect
You can only do a certain activity or task to a certain degree of efficiency and effectiveness

7. Focus on Your Goals

Plans are made to be followed and to be fixed, but sometimes things happen and plans need to change
Be proactive and actually face the change and adapt accordingly in an attempt to stay on track and accomplish your goals

8. Take Action

Taking action is the first step you need to take to achieve anything
Start taking control of your life and do not let anyone control your life or take action for you

9. Live in the Present

Direct your effort to the important things and always think of what you can control  Whatever happened in the past is something out of our reach and is something we cannot change, so thinking about it just makes matters worse

Conor O’Meara Goes Undefeated!

Conor O’Meara went undefeated in singles in his first collegiate tournament for the Blue Demons. Conor played flight D singles at the event which was a three day competition at the River Forest Invitational in Oak Park. In his first round, he defeated Robby Berry of Morehead State University 6-3, 6-3. In the semis, Conor defeated Erich Schuette of Northern Illinois University 6-3, 7-5. In the finals, he defeated Elliot Ward of South Dakota State University 6-1, 4-6 (10-7).

Click here to check out Conor’s results from this past weekend.

Spencer Chiu Commits to Pomona College

Spencer will graduate from ATA College Prep this year before heading to Pomona. He also considered Amherst, Wesleyan, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins and Tulane.

Spencer chose to leave Hong Kong and his family to pursue his passion for tennis at ATA 4 years ago.

“I’m looking forward to surrounding myself with driven people who want to succeed in all aspects of life,” Spencer said. “I look forward to becoming independent and taking on the challenge of growing into a man. I look forward to leading my team to hopefully a national championship. I look forward to the weather of Southern California. I look forward to meeting many new people and making many friends.”

Spencer will finish his fourth year at ATA full time before moving on in the fall.

“ATA has helped me mature and helped me understand how lessons I learn on the tennis court can help me in life too.”

CP Senior Camilla Trapness Commits to Amherst College

Prior to starting CP, Camilla dedicated herself to skiing since she was young and was going to be on Hong Kong’s Olympic ski team. She decided that she rather play tennis in college than pursue skiing. She played some tennis when she was younger but was never dedicated to it. She has made a huge jump and has put in a lot of time the past year and a half to be able to play college tennis. She is excited to join Amherst College and be a part of their team.

“I was initially drawn to Amherst for its great reputation, both academically and athletically,” Camilla said. “When I visited, I really liked the coach and the team was very fun and welcoming. When I walked around campus, I could really picture myself going there.”

Camilla also considered Yale, Dartmouth, Williams and Middlebury, before landing on Amherst.

“I am looking forward to being challenged both academically and athletically,” Camilla said. “It will certainly be a change and will require lots of hard work, but I always enjoy being in new situations. Even though Amherst is considered a small college, I am looking forward to being in a larger environment than I have been in at ATACP and at my prior ski academy.”

While she has only been at CP/ATA for just under two years, Camilla has made the most of her time here.

“This short time has certainly helped prepare me for college life,” Camilla said. “I have learned how to balance my school work and practice schedule, as well as developed important leadership and work ethic skills. Additionally, I really appreciate Coach Newman’s emphasis on having respect for the sport, my coaches, and my teammates.”

ATA College Prep Receives Austin Award

Congratulations to our CEO Jack Newman and Founding Head of College Prep Carol Hagar on this prestigious award!

ATA College Prep Receives 2015 Austin Award

AUSTIN July 2, 2015 — Ata College Prep has been selected for the 2015 Austin Award in the Private School category by the Austin Award Program.

Each year, the Austin Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Austin area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2015 Austin Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Austin Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Austin Award Program

The Austin Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Austin area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Austin Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Austin Award Program

Sign Up For The Last Week of ATA Summer Camp and Register For Our Fall Programs!

Take advantage of the Austin Tennis Academy’s tennis camps to progress at a rapid rate. These camps are designed to provide the greatest development of your child’s physical, mental, technical, and tactical performance levels, and we will have a great time. Sign up now for a full week or a single day!

Last Session

August 10-14, 2015

Times

QuickStart Camp 9:00am – 10:30am (age 5-8)
Morning Camp 9:00am – 12:00pm
Tournament Tough Training Camp 1:00pm – 4:00pm
High Performance 2-A-Day SuperChamp Camp 7:00-10:00am, 1:00-4:00pm^*

Cost

QuickStart Camp $150/week ($40/day drop-in)
Morning Camp $275/week ($80/day drop-in)
Tournament Tough Training Camp $375/week ($90/day drop-in)
High Performance 2-A-Day SuperChamp Camp ($500 per week or $125 per day)

ATA FALL PROGRAMS

QuickStart 2

QuickStart Program

3:30-4:15pm (Pricing: $80/month for 1 day, $150/month for 2 days)
The QuickStart tennis format used by the Austin Tennis Academy gives kids the opportunity to rally a ball over the net and learn to play points as quickly as possible – all in a fun environment. Our coaches recognize the importance of starting kids off well, and with success. The ATA was instrumental in developing this groundbreaking nationwide program and served as the pilot program for the USTA. This program uses the appropriate size racquet, court and ball to allow kids to do more – faster! Suggested Age: 5-8 years old.

Please contact John Schoenmakers for more questions

camp ata

Junior Development Program

Tues & Thurs 5:30-7:30pm (Pricing: $350 per month, first and last month down)

The ATA Junior Development program (JD) is for children from 7-15 years old. These players are learning the game, learning to compete and have a desire to improve. ATA will include athletic skills training as part of the JD program.

Players will be on a 4 week, repeating curriculum of basic technical instruction combined with entry level tactical instruction. Many players in the Junior Development program are beginning to play ZAT tournaments and CATA tour tournaments and all JD players will want to sign up to be on one of the ATA junior team tennis teams for competition against other clubs and tennis centers.

Please contact Brandon Davis for more questions

Junior Academy Program

Mon/Wed 5:30-7:30pm ($500 per month billed to your account, first and last month down.)

The ATA Junior Academy program is for players who are committed to competing in tennis. Junior Academy students are expected to commit to the monthly ZAT or Champ Major Zone tournaments in addition to local tournaments and Junior Team Tennis. This program will be limited in size to help these players accelerate their progress.

Players in the Junior Academy are serious about getting better in tennis. Many are playing on their school teams or have the goal to make the team. The Junior Academy program is geared towards players who are dedicated and serious about becoming high-level, competitive tennis players and who are highly motivated to move into the Academy program. The Junior Academy program meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30pm, and Saturdays time TBD.

THIS PROGRAM IS BY INVITATION ONLY.

Please contact Brian Notis for more questions

Policies

Registration must be made online.
Payment in advance is required to reserve your slot.
ATA camps are held rain or shine. Indoor sessions are held in the event of inclement weather.
No refunds or make-ups for days missed.
Weekly rate applies to that particular week only (no carryover).
Medical Release and Hold Harmless must be filled out online.
Players may leave credit card on file to cover pro shop purchases, lunch, etc.
Private housing may be available. Email info@austintennisacademy.com to inquire.
Early drop-off and late pick-up is available upon request for $50 per week.

Girls who play team sports

David Benzel, Founder of Growing Champions for Life, shared some information regarding girls being involved in sports.

Girls who play team sports are more likely to:

Graduate from College
Find a job
Be employed in male-dominated industries
Earn a higher salary in later life

But Girls are also 6 times more likely than boys to quit sports early!

This means parents creating a positive, confidence building environment at home, and coaches doing the same at practices/competitions, is essential if we want to keep girls in sports…especially when they suffer setbacks.

Source: www.growingchampionsforlife.com

Coach Brandon and Coach Kendall’s Zonal Teams Highlights July 2-6

ATA had a large number of players in the 12’s,14’s and 16’s Zonal Team Championships held all over the nation. Coach Brandon and Coach Kendall were also involved and coached a couple of teams with some ATA players on their team. Here is a few words and highlights from them on the teams that they coached.

Coach Brandon’s Team Highlights from Zonals in Shreveport, LA

Team Texas had a great week at the Boy’s and Girl’s 16’s Intersectionals in Shreveport. It s a phenomenal event where the entire community comes out to support and watch, which gives it a special feel. Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club also does an amazing job hosting and running the event. All players who get the opportunity to play here should jump on it!

Alejandro was the only player from ATA who was on Coach Brandon’s team this year and he had a very solid week helping team Texas get second place! We had a great group of boys and girls who really came together as a team this week. Our team had the best chemistry and spirit out of any of the teams and it proved pivotal in many of our matches. All the members of our team(Jaycer Lyeons, Kevin Zhu, Alejandro, Alex Wesbrooks, Janice Shin, Sydney Jones, Chelsea Kung, and Maddie Hwang) did a fantastic job all week with their attitude and their willingness to take information and improve throughout the week!

In the final against Southern California we lost a really tough 5-4 decision. It had the feel of a collegiate match and was really fun to be a part of. How the format works is there are 3 girls singles matches, 3 boys singles matches, 1 boys doubles 8-game pro-set, 1 girls doubles 8-game pro-set, and one mixed doubles 8-game pro-set and every one of these matches counts for one point. After singles we were trailing 2-4 heading into doubles. We got a big win in the mixed doubles to make it 3-4 with boys and girls doubles left on. The boys were able to win in a tie-breaker but the girls came up against really tough team and couldn’t get the victory. All in all it was an amazing week for our team, we definitely surprised a lot of people and all the credit goes to the players and the spirit they brought to the event.

Coach Kendall’s Team Highlights from Zonals in Waco, TX

Jesse Wikso and Adi Ford were on the team I coached. Our team, Texas B, defeated Florida, Pacific Northwest, Northern and Caribbean teams in round robin play to advance to the finals. We beat The top Florida team 11-7 in the final to win the championship! Both Jesse and Adi were instrumental in that victory, as well as doing a great job all week long. They were both mentally strong and great teammates throughout the event. Our teams energy was awesome and we all had great team spirit throughout the event, which helped in tight situations and close matches. Zonals is a great event and atmosphere and everyone should be trying to get on a team.

Callie Creath and Kristin Kerrigan’s teams were both successful also and they received much praise from their coaches. Annika Pandey got in as on site alternate and played on a PNW team. I know she represented Texas and ATA well for her team.

College Visits: Try Before You Buy

from Carol

There is no better way to understand the culture of a school than to be on the campus, take a tour, and visit with current students and admissions officers. If you are able to take advantage of this part of your college search, it will bring you confidence that your selection is the best fit – academically, athletically, and culturally.

During a visit, you are evaluating the school.

How will this environment serve your growth and development? What criteria are most important to you? Consider the location, population, class size, programs and degrees, social opportunities, post-graduation opportunities.

During the application process, the school is evaluating you.

How will you positively impact this community? Do you have the necessary attributes to be successful here – competitive grades, scores, rankings, community service activities? Do your homework. Research the school’s website.

On your visit… Be Yourself

Take a tour. Ask questions. Visit with the guide. He or she is usually a student and will love to talk about personal experiences at the school. Walk the campus, set up an interview with admissions. If available, sit in on a class. Visit the student center or lounge. Visit the dining halls. Visit the library. These are the places that can give you a sense of the campus culture.

Academics… Educate Yourself

How many students can you expect in your lower and upper level courses – 15 or 150? Is this a teaching university or a research university? Who teaches classes – professors or grad students? What year are you required to declare a major? Can you double major? Is your major available to athletes? Is academic scholarship available? Meet with an admissions counselor.

Athletics… Develop Yourself

When you are considering the best fit for pursuing athletics, consider the goal. How do you hope to use tennis as a tool for your personal development? Which school is more appropriate for your goals? Are you hoping to further your training to become a professional athlete? What type of coaching style do you prefer? How many are on the team roster? How many spots do they have for your graduation year? Is scholarship money available? Are you competitive with the players currently on the team (UTR)? Visit the sports facilities. Meet with the coach.

Culture… Know Yourself

All of the above criteria creates culture, but you should also pay attention to details. Is the school located in the heart of a big city? Is it a small school? or is it a school the size of a small city? What is the ratio of undergraduates to graduates? What clubs or other student activities may be of interest to you? Art? Singing? Greek life? Philanthropic work? Is there a travel abroad program? What are the opportunities after graduation? Does this culture fit YOU?

Before You Go

Write: 1) your personal statement – a few sentences about who you are and what you want from your college experience; 2) your numbers – GPA, SAT/ACT, UTR; 3) questions for admissions, coaches, students. Keep this with you during tours and interviews to take notes and to remind you of your questions.

After Your Visit

Jot down pertinent and interesting facts. Take pictures to remind yourself later of some of the unique things about the school and the people. Do this during or immediately after your visit while it is fresh on your mind.

Summary

A ‘good college’ is one that fits you. It supports your goals and dreams. College visits are like trying on clothes before you make a selection. Prior to purchasing an entire 4-year wardrobe of a college or university, try it on for size, color, style, and comfort. It will likely increase your satisfaction by ten-fold!

Texas Grand Slam starts Friday, June 12th!

ATA has 60 super champ players competing in the Texas Grand Slam tournament starting Friday, June 12th! Twenty two of the singles players are seeded, singles play starts Saturday, June 13th. In doubles, ATA has twenty two seeded players and play starts Friday, June 12th.

ATA SEEDED PLAYERS

Boys 18s

4th seed – Grayson Broadus
9th seed – Payton Holden
17th seed – Jake Berber
17th seed – Erik Kerrigan

Boys 18d

9th seeds – Payton Holden/Jake Berber
9th seeds – Erik Kerrigan/Jackson Cobb
9th seeds – Grayson Broadus/James Kaynor

Boys 16s

4th seed – Alejandro Rodriguez
9th seed – Jesse Wikso

Boys 16d

2nd seed – Alejandro Rodriguez/Wilson Hamilton
9th seed – Jesse Wikso/Alex Wesbrooks

Boys 14s

5th seed – Harrison Chiu
17th seed – Jett Hampton
17th seed – Max Schmidhauser

Boys 14d

5th seeds – Harrison Chiu/Nicolas Cusanoare
9th seeds – Jett Hampton/Haydn Steffes

Boys 12s

9th seed – Matthew Gavrilov

Girls 18s

5th seed – Abigail Chiu
17th seed – Meghan O’Malley

Girls 18d

4th seeds – Abigail Chiu/ Victoria Yu
9th seeds – Meghan O’Malley/Riley Reeves

Girls 16s

17th seed – Callie Creath
17th seed – Adison Ford
17th seed – Kristin Kerrigan
17th seed – Alexandria Mjos
17th seed – Iolanda Maria Perim

Girls 16d

9th seeds – Adison Ford/Shailla Alda
9th seeds – Callie Creath/Kristin Kerrigan
9th seeds – Alexandria Mjos/Iolanda Maria Perim

Girls 14s

5th seed – Ela Raczka
9th seed – Megha Dania
9th seed – Anushka Dania

Girls 14d

5th seeds – Anushka Dania/Megha Dania
5th seeds – Ela Raczka/Emma Gener

Girls 12s

2nd seed – Caroline Wernli
9th seed – Sarah Darbar

Girls 12d

1st seeds – Caroline Wernli/Emma Staker
3rd seeds – Sarah Darbar/Anisha Apte

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