GAMES
RANKINGS
DESIRE TO INSPIRE: Usner coming out of "Little Sister" shadow
ANNA CLAIRE USNER HAS ALWAYS BEEN JACK USNER’S “LITTLE SISTER”.
She doesn’t mind, though.
“Yeah, I know I kind of grew up in his shadow, but I learned a lot from him,” she said. “When you want to be the best, you have to become obsessed with the drive to get there. He taught me how to work hard for things.”
Jack and his teammates won TAPPS State golf three consecutive years in dominating fashion, and he’s now playing college golf at Texas A&M.
While Jack has been at the top of the mountain in his sport, Anna Claire has forged her own journey and is also enjoying success.
“I started in competitive cheer but by 10-years-old I wanted to do something else,” she laughed. “My parents told me it was either golf or tennis. I was
getting tired of following Jack around with
so I started playing tennis. I got pretty good at it and it’s something I can do for the rest of my life.
“I made it to State last year, but I was the only one from TWCA. I was looking at everyone having fun with their teams. This year, I want to bring my team. I’m encouraging everyone to work hard so we can all get there.”
Usner is also a cheerleader at TWCA, hangs with her friends and shops, like most teenagers, but her true passion is kids.
“I’ve always done after-school care for kids,” she said. “When you are young, you always look up to the older kids who take time to hang out with you. I want to inspire the next generation. They will always remember you for doing that.”
Her plan is to study pediatric physical therapy at Texas A&M.
Following her brother isn’t so bad after all. He’s been her inspiration.
Matthew Deluna, Baytown Sterling Tennis
ICE WATER IN THE VEINS: Deluna Ready To Lead Rangers On Court
WHEN YOU ASK BAYTOWN STERLING COACH JOHN TREMMEL ABOUT MATTHEW DELUNA, THE VETERAN TENNIS COACH DESCRIBES HIM AS A GUY WITH “ICE WATER IN HIS VEINS”.
A key attribute for the man that will be Tremmel’s No. 1 boys tennis player heading into the 2022 season.
“In the hard matches you have to stay confident and can’t break,” DeLuna said. “I feel like I’m pretty good at that. That’s my strong suit.”
In last spring’s District Tournament, DeLuna started to experience pain in his right leg. It was enough pain that when he would stand up, there would be instant discomfort. He knew something was wrong.
In fact, DeLuna had suffered a fractured right fibula just above his ankle during that tournament. Since then, the senior has fully recovered and feels “confident” going into a year that he has anticipated in leading this team.
“I’ve trained hard over the past two years for this. I play almost every day,” DeLuna said. “I’ve dedicated my life to tennis. So, being No. 1 is a big achievement for me.”
Being the leader of a program that enters the fall seeking a third-straight Regional Semifinal appearance in the UIL Team Tennis Playoffs can bring with it some pressure. But welcomed.
“It’s crazy being from a school that no one talked about to being one of the highest achieving schools in the area,” DeLuna said. “It feels good to be known on the map for tennis.”