THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 3, 1996 TAG: 9605010099
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 35 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
SINCE HE'S THE top returning player in the Southeastern District, everyone's been expecting to see Great Bridge's David Bristow in the 1996 district singles final.
Everyone, that is, except Bristow, who until a couple of months ago wasn't sure he even wanted to see his name in the draw.
The graduation of 1995 champion Frankie Graves of Western Branch left Bristow as the only district player with a ranking in the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Association (No. 45 in the boys 16s.) And the Great Bridge junior wasn't sure he wanted to go through a season of ``battles`` against badly outclassed opponents, matches in which he often knew he was going to win after hitting just one ball in the warm-up.
``That first ball I always hit to their backhand,'' he said. ``If they don't have a backhand, I know I'm going to be off the court quickly.
``So, yeah, it was a big decision for me, whether I was going to play or not.''
Ultimately, Bristow's loyalty to the Wildcats and his passion for playing the game, regardless of the opponent, prompted him to continue his high school tennis career. And his presence has boosted Great Bridge among the area's top teams.
The Wildcats, ranked fifth in South Hampton Roads by The Virginian-Pilot, are undefeated in seven matches and have clinched the Southeastern District title. They'll face the Peninsula District runner-up in the first round of the Eastern Region tournament.
``We've got a great draw, because we can't play Cox (the area's top-ranked team and the region favorite) until the final,'' Bristow said.
Bristow said that the strength of the Wildcats team made it easier to commit to the high school season.
``We have people like Chip Howard and Wil Godwin that can handle my shots, so I'm able to get a pretty good workout in,'' he said.
Great Bridge coach Mike Steele also allows Bristow to set up his own practices two or three times a week at the Virginia Beach Tennis & Country Club.
As expected, Bristow has also excelled individually. The Wildcats' No. 1 player is unbeaten in singles and doubles and is the top singles seed at this week's Southeastern District tournament, which concludes Saturday at the Greenbrier tennis complex on Greenbrier Parkway.
The top two finishers advance to the Eastern Region tournament. It is there where Bristow would get a chance to really test his skills.
``I always hit a little better against people I know I have to pump myself up for,'' he said. ``It's against the best players where I actually play my best and get to show what I can do with a tennis ball.''
Still, it is the thought of a successful postseason for the team that has Bristow really excited.
``I was on the (Eastern Region championship) cross country team and, you know, going to state is like the best thing in the world,'' Bristow said. ``You're with your friends, you stay in a hotel, it's just really, really fun. If I could lead this team and help us get to state, that's something I'd really be proud of.''
Watch the smooth, fluid Bristow in action and seeing how comfortable he is from any position on the court, one might conclude he's been playing the game since he's been old enough to walk. In fact, Bristow didn't begin playing seriously until he was 13 and began watching his father, Steve, a former No. 1 doubles player at the U.S. Naval Academy.
After moving from Bremerton, Wash., to Chesapeake the following year, Bristow made an immediate impact as the Wildcats' No. 2 player as a freshman, then moved into the No. 1 slot last year.
``In a lot of ways, high school tennis is so much different from tournament tennis,'' he said. ``But there's also so much about the game that's the same no matter who you're playing.
``I always try to remember three things my dad told me. First, never go out there thinking you're going to lose. Second, put (an imaginary) bag over your opponent's head. Doesn't matter if it's the No. 1 guy in the nation. Forget who the guy is and just go out and play.
``And finally, have fun. When I miss a shot, a lot of times you'll see me laugh. It helps release the stress, even if I'm getting my butt kicked.''
WE'RE NO. 2: It took nine days, some inspired Western Branch play and a Churchland academic casualty, but the Bruins finally prevailed over Churchland for second place in the district and the league's No. 2 berth in the regional tournament.
The Western Branch-Churchland match began April 16, an extremely windy day made more difficult by the ongoing construction at Western Branch, which resulted in particles of dirt being swept into the players' faces. Given the conditions, Western Branch coach Mike Donovan and Churchland coach Steve Liles agreed to complete only the singles matches.
Naturally, the match was tied at three after singles play, and, because of scheduling conflicts, the earliest the match could be resumed was April 25. Unfortunately for Churchland, by that time, their No. 2 player - and a member of an undefeated doubles team - had become academically ineligible. Liles didn't know it at the time, but the last day the player was eligible was April 16, the day the match started.
The Truckers wound up using a team that had never played before, and lost two of the three doubles points in a 5-4 loss. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by PAUL WHITE
David Bristow of Great Bridge is the top returning player in the
Southeastern District.
by CNB