IS THIS HIS YEAR? LOVINGTON SENIOR HOPES TO LAND 1ST STATE TITLE

Albuquerque Academy has dominated boys tennis for the last decade and a half.  The Chargers have won a team title each of the past 16 years. A player from Albuquerque Academy has won the individual state title in the state’s second largest classification in 12 of the last 14 years.  But if there’s someone with a shot to take the individual crown from the king of boys tennis, it might be Lovington’s Jace Crawford.

The senior standout is 37-1 on the year.  The past two seasons he racked up a record of 72-4.  Last year, Jace lost in the state semifinals.  “That stuck in my mind,†he said.  “I didn’t play as well as I should have and mentally was not there.â€Â  After an off-season of improving his serve and developing a stronger forehand, Jace feels ready to make another run at the title. “I’m just going to go all out.â€

Jace started playing tennis at a young age.  “We had a ping pong table at home, but I didn’t play on the table,†he recalled. “I had a paddle and a ball and hit it against the wall in the house.â€Â  When he eventually traded the paddle for an actual racket, it didn’t take him long to succeed.  “The first tournament I played was with my older brothers (Cameron & Christian),†Jace said.  “I got to the final in my first tournament and played my second oldest brother (Christian) and I beat him 9-7.  I think we still have the picture.â€

Tennis is all in the family at the Crawford household.  Jace’s father, Jimmy, has coached at Lovington High School for 17 years. Jimmy knew his baby boy was destined for a future in tennis after he watched his youngest son at a tournament in Texas several years ago.  “Jace was 8 years old and I knew this was a child who was going to be something special,†Jimmy said.  “Jace was down 2-6 to a competitor at a tournament in Lubbock.  During a changeover, Jace came over, knelt down and said ‘Dad, I’m going to come back and win this.’  He was down 2-6!  It’s not looking good.  Even the opponent’s parents overheard this and chuckled.  Jace turned on the juice and won 9-7.  Right there, I said this kid is going to be something special.â€

Jace enjoys being coached by his father.  “You are pushed harder and it makes me better,†said the 17-year old.  “If I was coached by anyone else I probably wouldn’t be as good.â€

Jace has his eyes on the prize.  He would love to win that elusive state championship.  “I think I’ve grown in my game,†he said.  “What I stay true to is that no matter what I have to do, I’m going to do it.  Whether it’s 20 minutes on the court or 20 hours.â€

Jace is Lovington High School’s all-time winningest tennis player.  He has a 4.4 GPA and will graduate in the top 10 of his class.  He signed a National Letter of Intent to play tennis at Western New Mexico in the fall.