Page 19 - All Arkansas Preps 2020

Advertising Supplement to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | All-Arkansas Preps | Sunday, June 28, 2020 19M OUTSTANDING PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
FOSTER ROGERS SENIOR / PULASKI ACADEMY
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
>> WHY HE WON
Finishing his career at Pulaski Academy with an undefeated record, Foster Rogers has been named the All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Player of the Year for Boys Tennis for the third year in a row. “It’s really exciting and humbling to know that all this work has paid off,” Rogers said. “It shows not
just my accomplishments, but the people who supported me.” Rogers won the boys overall singles title for the third year in a row this season, defeating Hayden Shoemake of Bentonville West with a straight-set victory during the finals. Rogers did not lose a set during the overall tournament, and he lost only one game in four matches during the Class 4A State Tournament. “He has a very high tennis IQ. He’s an extremely intelligent player, and
I think that sets him apart from a lot of his peers,” said
Bill Topich, head tennis coach at Pulaski Academy. “He
doesn’t make a lot of mental mistakes, and I think that’s
helped him be successful in winning three straight overall championships.” Rogers is not likely to make much of a
racket about his accomplishments, however; Topich said
the senior is distinguished by his sportsmanship and the
respect he shows each opponent. Foster’s mother, Shelley Rogers, said Foster has been dedicated to tennis since he began
the sport at age 5. “I am extremely happy for him and extremely proud of him,” she said. “Foster puts in lots of hard work, so it is exciting to see him receive this honor.” In addition to his achievements on the court, Foster Rogers has excelled in the classroom, earning a 4.34 grade-point average. He also participated in several clubs at Pulaski Academy, including Student Venture, Young Life, the Spanish Club, and the Debate and Speech Club. is fall, he will continue his tennis career at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he will study business at the Sam M. Walton College of Business. “I’m so excited and pumped to represent my home state,” Rogers said, adding that he and his family are longtime Razorback fans.
BOYS TENNIS
FOSTER’S
■ High school record: 44-0
■ Wendy’s Player of the Year for Arkansas, 2018, 2019
■ USTA Herschel Friday Outstanding Junior Player, 2019
■ 4 consecutive 4A state team championships
■ Member of Student Venture,Young Life, the Spanish Club and the Debate and Speech Club
■ GPA: 4.34
■ FUTURE PLANS: To play tennis at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where he will study business