Eric Yang '26 Recruiting Profile

I took a two-year break from tennis, first due to the pandemic, then due to the misdiagnosis of “vaccine-induced myocarditis”. I was finally cleared to play tennis again in 2022 after I aced every cardiology test the doctors could come up with. I went to school tryout and became the only middle schooler in the top 5 line up for varsity. Together with my teammates, we became the district champion and regional champion, and went to the FHSAA state tournament for the first time in 17 years of school history. I was named “rookie of the year”. I subsequently won the MVP award of my team twice and became line one and captain of the team. My UTR jumped 2.5 points in one year from 5.00 in March 2023 to 7.50 in March 2024. I made the list of “Lotto Elite Hot 100” (junior tennis players who have made the largest surges in the junior rankings in the nation) twice in four months (August 2023 and Nov 2023). I was selected to all Space Coast Boys Tennis and all Cape Coast Conference Boys Tennis in the 10th grade.

My school is the only high school in the county ranked top 50 for best high schools in the nation and is known for its brutal academic curriculum. With a laser sharp focus, I am determined to succeed in both tennis and academics at the same time. I juggled four AP classes during the day and tennis lessons at night plus tournaments on the weekends. Nothing could get in the way of playing tennis and my UTR continued to rise.

My dream is to play college tennis for a program that is strong athletically and well respected academically. I am hoping that my strong work ethics and potential to grow will be recognized. Occasionally I am still upset over the wasted years due to the misdiagnosis when I could have grown and developed my game to a higher level. However, I am mature enough to know I should keep looking forward, not backward. I am allowed to play my favorite sport with no health concerns anymore. There is nothing more I could ask for. If given the opportunity, I will bring my dedication to the team. I am confident that I will continue to grow and become the best student athlete that I can be.