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.