Jude Sinton is a senior at Ponca City High School, where he is a member of the tennis team. He has worked hard to continually improve his game and become a better player and he has seen that work payoff.
“Winning the conference is hands down my favorite highlight,” Jude stated. “It’s not just because it was my first time winning a tournament but also because of our trip to Bass Pro afterward. This was a demonstration of the coaches at PoHi tennis. They were in tune with us as players and understood how to create a fun environment that pushed us to be our best. My teammate and I were promised this Bass Pro trip by coach Collenback, who said that if we placed first, she would take us after many tournaments of us begging to go.”
Sinton has people in his life that have helped shape him into the person that he is today. He has a few that have had the biggest impact.
“My dad has been a major role model for me, as he and I both have ADHD,” he said. “He has shown me how to utilize and control it, ultimately helping me become the person I want to be. Alongside him, my partner has shown me how I want to be treated not just in our relationship but as a human and has influenced me to make positive impacts on my friends and teammates every day, both small and large. As previously mentioned, when holding myself to my standards there are indeed times I have dropped below them. Although the one person to help bring back up and set new and higher ones to achieve is my mom. She has showcased to me what unconditional love really is and has easily been my number one biggest supporter my entire life in everything I hope to accomplish.”
Being a successful athlete is only possible if you are successful in the classroom. Jude says that you have to find what works for you to help yourself do your best.
“Discipline and to-do lists are my best friends,” he stated. “Doing things while traveling to tournaments is a must in some situations. Sometimes, I find myself doing homework at tournaments as well. Staying on top of a schedule is the most important thing when balancing my sport and my academic career.”
