Coach's Statement
Gideon has been a member of the Bruin varsity team since his very first match of freshman year. He’s a hard working leader, who throws everything he has effort-wise into every drill. He expects a lot of himself, and has improved on his natural skills with a lot of hard work. He’s worked on quickness, anticipation, and his serve to be able to play at the highest level he can. He’s constantly analyzing and figuring out what tiny tactic he can switch to squeeze a little more out of his game. Sometimes it’s a little too much for his coach-of-a-dad when we’ve had a long 4 hour practice day and he wants to talk about it some more, but it shows how dedicated he is.
I have so many great memories of Gideon on the tennis court. From winning an 8th grade tournament in the spring and then being the clinching point in his first match in high school that fall. The way Gideon holds the record for most unfinished matches, now standing at 3 in his career (because it gets dark or it rains in the middle :-) I love his ability to keep fighting, like his sophomore year when he told me he couldn’t beat the player he was playing so I told him he should just go ahead and come off the courts, then he went on to win in a third set. And one of my favorite characteristics of Gideon’s game is that he always gets better the second time that he plays someone. From early in his career, Gideon was someone who could figure things out.
It’s served him well. Most people know that Noah set the record for most victories last year, but Gideon is going to finish in the top 5, if not higher. If not for the rain outs of tournaments that he has experienced over the years, he’d already be near the #2 slot. Still, his successes are not what make him valuable to the team. It’s his never-give-up attitude that inspires us. I have encouraged Gideon many times over the years with the message - if it’s down to the end, you can outlast anyone. I’ll always put my money on you.
Gideon as a person is someone who is full of belief. He believes in himself, he believes in his teammates. That makes me so proud. Gideon carries a deep belief that things can be better, that with focus and perseverance what is broken can be fixed, what is lost can be redeemed, what feels impossible can get a little closer. The next adjustment, the next step of faith, the next nugget of wisdom - that might turn everything around. The world needs that kind of hope. Our team needs that type of hope.
My prayer for Gideon is that he will feel the peace of God. That he will know that he is seen and loved. While there is the opportunity for improvement, Gideon is loved so deeply just as he is. You all are. Here’s a verse that I picked that I hope resonates for Gideon, as it displays both pieces of his character and pieces of my prayer for him.
Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Finally, as my son, I cannot end this time without saying how proud I am of you. How dear it has been to me to spend these 4 years together, celebrating and working. How much I delight in growing and learning with you (and your brother now too). I love you more than I could ever say in a 5 minute speech like this. I am so pleased with you!
