Game, Set ... Fast Track

LAKE PLACID -- Competing in varsity sports and maintaining a high academic average is an issue most high school athletes deal with on a daily basis.

Lake Placid's Solange Ganthier excels at tennis and still manages to keep an "A" average, but what makes her situation unique is the fact that she's only 12 years old.

Ganthier, who has been playing tennis since she was seven, competes on the Canterbury High School (Fort Myers) varsity team, and also plays in United States Tennis Association tournaments on weekends.

"I love getting outdoors and playing tennis," Ganthier said while taking a break during a lesson from Country Club of Sebring tennis professional Horace Watkis. "I really like playing in the USTA tournaments, because I know a lot of the other kids, and we have a lot of fun on the court and off."

Ganthier, who learned the game from her parents, has been working with Watkis for more than three years, and she continues to amaze the veteran pro with her attitude and determination.

"Solange is very, very talented, has excellent composure and I think she is going to be a champion," he said. "She has no weaknesses, because her forehand and backhand are solid and her ground strokes and serves are outstanding.

"I am so proud of her because she has taken her game to the next level by competing in these USTA tournaments. She has a gotten smarter and stronger, hits the ball harder, has great court coverage and playing against this type of competition has helped her tremendously."

Ganthier recently competed in the USTA sanctioned Manta Ray Fall Challenge in Englewood and placed second in her age group.

The talented seventh-grader defeated Chandler Novoa of Fort Myers, 6-1, 7-5 in the semifinals, before losing to Cheyenne Kerekes of Lakewood in the finals, 1-6, 4-6.

"The tournaments are different than the high school matches because we travel around the state and the players are much better," said Ganthier, whose father Rulx, is a dentist in Sebring. "I don't put much pressure on myself because I just want to keep on getting better and having fun.

"Tennis is my sport and I love getting on the court."

Playing for the Canterbury varsity team, which went 7-1 last year, is fun for Ganthier, but winning respect and matches is her goal.

"Our team is pretty young, but the older girls are nice to me," she said. "But I want to win and be a seeded player."

Ganthier, who is an honor-roll student, was also runner-up in a USTA tournament in Naples, and if she stays healthy, has the ability to be a star in the not-too-distant future, according to Watkis.

"There are a lot of talented youngsters out there, but Solange has everything it takes to be a champion," the USTA-certified teaching pro said. "She has great concentration when she plays and is dedicated to improving her game. She is smart like a fox and knows how to move her opponents around on the court."

Many young tennis phenoms burn out a young age, but Watkis doesn't see that happening to his young protege.

"Solange has great guidance and support from her parents and she has the right attitude to be successful over a long period of time," the Jamaican born professional said. "And one of these days I hope to be watching her play at Wimbledon or the U.S. Open.

"She's that good."