Photo by: Josh Armstrong
Spring Sports Senior Spotlight: Santiago Garcia
3/25/2020 9:23:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Santiago Garcia | Cocoa Beach, Fla.
Cadet Squadron 38 (All-Stars)
Career Field Upon Graduation: Undergraduate Pilot Training
"Santi's career was defined by much more than his record on the court," head coach Dan Oosterhous said. "He was one of our strongest leaders and a huge positive influence in our rebuilding efforts this season. Santi came to the Academy with big dreams and he is leaving with even bigger ones, I can't wait to see what he accomplishes for our Air Force."
"In November of 2019, Santi teamed with Sean McKendree to defeat Army West Point at the #2 doubles position in the Veteran's Day Challenge in Washington DC. In his final spring season, Santi got his first singles start against a Div. I opponent, when he played at the #6 spot against the University of Denver. Santi Garcia finished his Air Force tennis career undefeated with a dual match record of 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles."
2019-20 | SENIOR: Posted a perfect 5-0 combined record in the spring, going 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles.
2018-19 | JUNOR: Took season off to focus on academics.
2017-18 | SOPHOMORE: Posted 12-8 overall record, going 4-5 in singles and 8-3 in doubles ... went 1-0 in both dual singles and doubles ... went 3-5 in tournament singles and 7-3 in tournament doubles ...
2016-17 | FRESHMAN: Posted a 3-1 overall singles record going 3-1 in tournament matches … posted a 1-3 mark in tournament doubles … earned the Coach Gugat "Attitude is Everything" award, earned by a vote from his teammates, given to the player that best exemplifies the qualities inspired by former hall of fame tennis coach, Richard Gugat ... completed Expeditionary Survival and Escape Training over the summer … participated in Operations Air Force at Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he shadowed fighter pilots.
High School: Lettered three years in tennis … helped his team to a third place finish in the state tournament … was ranked No. 18 in the men's open division in Florida and No. 27 nationally … two-time first-team all-Florida … two-time first-team all-Cape Coast Conference honoree … was a class 3A district champion … earned 2016 Florida tennis tour champion … posted a victory over a Davis Cup team player from the Dominican Republic … also posted a win over Brazilian nationally ranked Guto Miotti … member of the National Honor Society … earned International Baccalaureate honors … was the president of Students in Action … member of the National Society of High School Students.
Personal: Cadet squadron 38 … parents are Jerry Lee and Ana Maria Garcia … nickname is Santi … major is systems engineering: human factors … active in his squadron as the Safety & Anti-Terrorism Officer ... during the summer prior to senior year: was a summer seminar element leader and was a cadre (cadet officer) for the basic cadet training (BCT) leadership reaction course ... also recruited by North Carolina State, Navy and Belmont … hobby is playing the drums.
Cadet Squadron 38 (All-Stars)
Career Field Upon Graduation: Undergraduate Pilot Training
"Santi's career was defined by much more than his record on the court," head coach Dan Oosterhous said. "He was one of our strongest leaders and a huge positive influence in our rebuilding efforts this season. Santi came to the Academy with big dreams and he is leaving with even bigger ones, I can't wait to see what he accomplishes for our Air Force."
"In November of 2019, Santi teamed with Sean McKendree to defeat Army West Point at the #2 doubles position in the Veteran's Day Challenge in Washington DC. In his final spring season, Santi got his first singles start against a Div. I opponent, when he played at the #6 spot against the University of Denver. Santi Garcia finished his Air Force tennis career undefeated with a dual match record of 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles."
2019-20 | SENIOR: Posted a perfect 5-0 combined record in the spring, going 3-0 in singles and 2-0 in doubles.
2018-19 | JUNOR: Took season off to focus on academics.
2017-18 | SOPHOMORE: Posted 12-8 overall record, going 4-5 in singles and 8-3 in doubles ... went 1-0 in both dual singles and doubles ... went 3-5 in tournament singles and 7-3 in tournament doubles ...
2016-17 | FRESHMAN: Posted a 3-1 overall singles record going 3-1 in tournament matches … posted a 1-3 mark in tournament doubles … earned the Coach Gugat "Attitude is Everything" award, earned by a vote from his teammates, given to the player that best exemplifies the qualities inspired by former hall of fame tennis coach, Richard Gugat ... completed Expeditionary Survival and Escape Training over the summer … participated in Operations Air Force at Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he shadowed fighter pilots.
High School: Lettered three years in tennis … helped his team to a third place finish in the state tournament … was ranked No. 18 in the men's open division in Florida and No. 27 nationally … two-time first-team all-Florida … two-time first-team all-Cape Coast Conference honoree … was a class 3A district champion … earned 2016 Florida tennis tour champion … posted a victory over a Davis Cup team player from the Dominican Republic … also posted a win over Brazilian nationally ranked Guto Miotti … member of the National Honor Society … earned International Baccalaureate honors … was the president of Students in Action … member of the National Society of High School Students.
Personal: Cadet squadron 38 … parents are Jerry Lee and Ana Maria Garcia … nickname is Santi … major is systems engineering: human factors … active in his squadron as the Safety & Anti-Terrorism Officer ... during the summer prior to senior year: was a summer seminar element leader and was a cadre (cadet officer) for the basic cadet training (BCT) leadership reaction course ... also recruited by North Carolina State, Navy and Belmont … hobby is playing the drums.
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