CBS 13 Sports: They didn’t see it coming
Kofa tennis players Jacob Caudillo and Azelia Lara take their rackets to the next level
YUMA, Ariz. ( KYMA, KECY-TV ) - When Jacob Caudillo could no longer play soccer due to an injury, he looked for another sport he could play.
"For me I was more of a soccer player, I played for like 11 years," Caudillo said. "I did football but due to my injury I tried somethings out and thought why not try tennis. Something different and next thing you know iI'm going to college for it."
According to Kofa head boys tennis coach Santos Rangel, Caudillo is one of those hard to find athletes.
"I taught him a serve that took me months and he learned it in days," Rangel said. "Everyday he was out there whether I was or not. Everyday, just trying to catch up."
Caudillo soon had a handle on his new sport. So much so that he became Kofa's #1 singles player and also was a part of Kofa's #1 doubles team that made the state tournament.
Now Caudillo will play tennis at the college level for Paradise Valley Community College. Jacob hope to become and athletic trainer or a physical therapist.
On Kofa's girls tennis team, Azelia Lara also signed on to play with Paradise Valley. Azelia was Kofa's number three single and was also on Kofa's #3 doubles team. She credits head coach Allen Grimes with the opportunity to play at the next level.
"He's just a great guidance," Lara said. "He's amazing and it's just opened so many windows for me to explore and to have a different perspective on things and one I can appreciate and enjoy."
According to Grimes, Azelia is one of the hardest workers he's ever coached. It's also her form that allowed her to catch the eye of college coaches.
"She really developed solid technique," Grimes said. "Once I saw that at the beginning of the season, I said you can do this, you can get a college scholarship. Just on the basis of your technique."
That's exactly what happened. For Lara and Caudillo, playing college tennis was never on their radar. With hard work, determination and their local coaches, they now take a path they never knew was waiting for them.
