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Riverview Senior Courts Success With Tennis Team

Tribune photo by JOHN CEBALLOS

Senior Jonathan Cabrera works on his serve during practice for the Riverview High School boys' tennis team. Cabrera joined the tennis team after injuring his shoulder playing baseball last year.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS

jceballos@tampatrib.com

Published: March 4, 2009

RIVERVIEW - Senior Jonathan Cabrera never planned to play tennis in high school.

He was a pitcher on the Riverview High School varsity baseball team before he injured his shoulder last year.

"I couldn't play baseball anymore, so I figured that playing tennis would be a good alternative," Cabrera said.

Now in his second season as a member of the school's tennis team, Cabrera sais the game has come to him naturally.

"It's kind of the same motion as when I was pitching, and I think I've actually gotten pretty good," he said.

Cabrera lost his first match of the season in the team's opener Feb. 23 at Spoto High School, but he is optimistic about the rest of the year.

"My goal is to win 80 percent of my matches this year, and I think, as a team, we can win 90 to 100 percent of our matches this season," he said.

His coach is impressed that Cabrera is able to play tennis at all.

"I'm really happy that he has the opportunity to come out and play for the team this year," said Coach Wili Sargable. "He's juggling his schoolwork with a job, so I'm glad to see that he's found time for sports.

"He's a hard worker and a really good asset to this team."

Cabrera has lived in Brandon all his life and likely will remain in the Tampa area next year. He plans to attend the University of South Florida and study physical therapy and sports medicine.

"Sometimes it can be kind of difficult to balance everything, but in the end, I just try to do what needs to be done."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Jonathan Cabrera

AGE: 18

SCHOOL: Riverview

GRADE: 12th

SPORTS: Tennis and baseball

FUTURE PLANS: Wants to attend the University of South Florida and study physical therapy and sports medicine

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555.

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