Local students get a grip on pro tennis

Judi Fenner, a former Brighton High School tennis instructor, has been training elementary to college age
      players from all over northern and southern Colorado through a tennis academy she began almost two years ago.

Emily Dougherty

Metro State College student Marianne Evangelista, 22, practices on Nov. 25 at the Brighton High School tennis courts.

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Emily Dougherty

Judi Fenner, professional tennis instructor and former BHS coach, advises Sarah Wilson, a sophomore tennis player from Salida, during Centennial Tennis Academy’s practice Nov. 12. Wilson competed in the Cheyenne Mountain Turkey Shoot later that day.

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Emily Dougherty

Centennial Tennis Academy creator Judi Fenner counsels Bromley East Charter student James Evangelista, 12, during practice. The pro tennis instructor opened up her academy almost two years ago and invites students, elementary to college-aged, from all over the Front Range to play under her tutelage. She leads practices in Brighton and Salida.

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    Centennial Tennis Academy is a nationally recognized youth tennis center following USTA guidelines.
    Fenner is a professional tennis instructor. After coaching for 20 years, she decided to start up a tennis school to prepare Colorado kids for advanced play.
    She began in the southern part of the state, setting up a team in Salida. Next, she decided to recruit from her home court – Brighton. Now she splits her time between the two locations with the help of tennis coaches from local high schools.
    Some of her students also split their time between the two places.
    At a practice at Brighton High School tennis courts Friday, Sarah Wilson, a sophomore at Buena Vista High School, came up for weekend training and competition. She and 16-year-old Jessica Wegener, a BHS junior, were competing in the Turkey Shoot at Cheyenne Mountain.
    Wilson has only been playing tennis for a year and a half.
    “I just decided to try it,” she said.
    That’s turned into competition in singles tournaments all over the state.
    “I like the competition. The biggest challenge for me is my serve, [but],” she said, “I love my backhand.”
    Wilson said she’s been come up to Brighton for weekends to keep working on her technique. The biggest thing, though, is being mentally prepared for a game.
    “You go in with a positive mindset to win but remember to have fun too,” she said.
    According to Fenner, her program is comprehensive for each individual student – from beginners to advanced. She uses international teaching methods and progressive strategy techniques.
    “We use the latest biomechanics,” Fenner said, including the gold medal swing and other moves, plays and strategies that one might see on the courts on TV.
    “We’re laying the foundation for kids. It’s really great to see them blossom,” Fenner said. “Our ultimate goal is for kids to reach USTA (United States Tennis Association) top level tournaments and get scholarships for college. It’s not recreation.”
    Her academy is about teamwork. Even if tennis is an individual sport, Fenner said it’s important that her players learn good work ethic and how to encourage one another.
    “I believe in kids teaching kids,” Fenner said.
    Her team in Brighton has 15 players who practice and compete year-round. Fenner has coaching help from a few tennis aficionados, including Veronica Randall, assistant tennis coach at Prairie View High School.
    Travis Crouch, physical education teacher at Skyview Elementary in Thornton, a member of the Thornton Tennis Association and a former coach at BHS, also helps out at practice.
    “The magic is what Judi can do at every level. She’s really built up the Brighton tennis scene,” Crouch said. “It’s just a wonderful thing that she’s doing.”
    Brad Paradee is the pastor at Chapel Hill Church of the Nazarene in Brighton. He befriended Fenner through some folks whose kids played tennis with her.    He decided to offer up the church’s full gymnasium to Fenner for a winter-long tennis play. Together, they set up three courts in the church gym.
    Paradee, whose freshman daughter, Taylor, also plays with CTA, said students are excited to come to practice.
    “They make really good friends, and there’s no bullying. Everyone is really encouraging and lifting each other up,” Paradee said.
    The uplifting spirit of the team is a boon for parents as well.
    “We need a positive environment to raise our kids in,” he said.
    Fenner said the Centennial Tennis Academy is open to players across the state. She hopes to continue to build up the academy by inviting kids from across the Front Range to learn and improve their skills.
The CTA practices Thursday and Friday from 4-5 p.m. for elementary students and 5-6:30 p.m. or 6:30-8 p.m. for junior and senior high school students. Saturday’s practice starts at 9 a.m. for elementary level and 10-11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. for the junior and senior high levels.
    Students practice at Chapel Hill’s indoor court, 10 Chapel Hill Drive, Brighton, Brighton High School’s outdoor court, Southern Street and Eighth Avenue, and Prairie View High School’s outdoor court at 12909 E. 120th Ave.
    The cost for a month-long membership fee is $120.
    Contact Fenner at 347-461-2190 or Debbie Wegener at 303-637-9072.

Contact Emily Dougherty at 303-659-2522 ext. 223 or edougherty@metrowestnewspapers.com.