Grizzlies benefit from coach's day job

To put it mildly, Mike Hernandez isn’t your everyday high school tennis coach.

Spending his days as a Colorado district probation officer since 2004 certainly gives the former athlete at Colorado State-Pueblo a different perspective on not only his girls’ team at Mesa Ridge, but also the pressures encountered by today’s teenagers.

“Since he’s not here during the day, we can talk to him about stuff without him being judgmental,” senior Ariel Howell said. “He’s made me better, on and off the court.”

Hernandez, 27, graduated from CSU-Pueblo with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminology. He craved a career in criminal justice since his days at Greeley’s University High, where he once spent “Career Day” shadowing a probation officer and liked what he saw.

Athletics also occupied a large part of his life, and he wanted to continue that lifestyle into his professional life. Five years ago, Hernandez was eating at a Chinese restaurant when he read about Mesa Ridge’s tennis coaching vacancy.

Within a year, Hernandez had both — a day job supervising probationers and motivating them to change their ways — and an afternoon position as the Grizzlies’ coach.

“Being on the tennis courts is my release,” Hernandez said. “I really do love tennis. It’s not a job when I’m here. In both jobs, the biggest thing I’ve learned is how to read people and treat people the way to get the maximum effort out of them. I was a yeller and a screamer the first year or two and that didn’t get me anywhere.”

Jordan Hoyle, one of three Grizzlies seniors, appreciates the blend of motivator and real-life counselor that Hernandez brings to the table.

“You think of a probation officer, you think it would be someone real mean and tough,” Hoyle said. “He has such a good personality and you can have a normal conversation about anything and not feel weird about it. Coach wants us to do our best and has our best interests in mind. He definitely has taught me how to focus more on the court.”
Hernandez laughs at the biggest misconception about being a probation officer.

“People ask me where my gun is,” Hernandez said. “It’s not that way at all. You’re there to help, going on a lot of home visits to see how things are and to help people recover from a major change in their lives.”

CLASS 5A

Air Academy: The Kadets were runners-up to Pine Creek in last year’s regional and sent seven players to state. Five of those athletes return, seniors Kateri Kaltenbacher and Amy Klingensmith, junior Ana Pena and sophomores Claire Zombola and Tina Baker.

Coronado: The Cougars return six letter-winners, highlighted by Morgan DeWitt, a three-year singles player, Mae Weber at No. 2 singles and the No. 1 doubles team of seniors Adrian Brown and Rosie Bradley.

Doherty: The Spartans achieved a program best by qualifying nine players for state last year, and six return: Lauren Ford, Ali Wilson, Elise Cimino, Marsha Nygard, Claire Woodward and Alex Isle.

Fountain-Fort Carson: Just two letter-winners return to a rebuilding program under fourth-year coach Annette Kokoszka.

Liberty: Longtime coach Matt Hays hopes for continued improvement from a team with three returning letter-winners.

Pine Creek: Doubles should be the strong point for the reigning regional champions with the top team of sisters Rachel and Sarah Kosbab leading the Eagles, along with Lauren Walsh, Katrina Steck and Megan Carigan.

Palmer: The Terrors expect big things in singles this season with returning state qualifiers Adrianna Wojakowska and Kelly Anderson and would get stronger with the hopeful return of Emily Lawrence, a transfer student who also reached state in singles last year.

Rampart: State singles qualifier Nikki Amos highlights the returning class for the Rams, who also expect a strong singles season from Hungarian exchange student Eva Kovacs.

Sand Creek: First-year coach Molly Reagan inherits a team with four returning letter-winners and a strong desire to improve in a competitive region.

CLASS 4A

Cañon City: Top singles players Sonora Hill and Kelsey Hanenberg highlight a Tigers team with six returning letter-winners. Sarah Kelly, who played singles in 2008 but elected to compete in track and field last year, returns to the court and adds depth.

Cheyenne Mountain: The defending state champions return eight of 11 letter-winners, including No. 3 singles state champion Emily Venner and the No. 2 state champion doubles team of Kristen Sullivan and Katie Stagnaro, along with Kalyn Miller, part of the No. 1 doubles state champions.

Colorado Springs Christian School: Kira Woods and Sarah Greensides, the Lions’ top two singles players from last season’s 8-2 team, return to highlight six letter-winners.

Colorado Springs School: Last year, the Kodiaks enjoyed their first winning season and return 10 letter-winners to hopefully maintain that momentum. Coach Anita Lyons expects solid seasons from Karly Lindroth-Yates at No. 3 singles and Masha Protopopova, a native of Russia, at No. 1 singles.

Discovery Canyon: The Thunder, still in its infancy, continues to build a foundation and brings back three letter-winners.

Falcon: Ron Walker was tabbed to start a program from scratch as the Falcons hit the court for the first time.

Fountain Valley: The Dane return six letter-winners from last year’s 7-4 team, all in doubles, highlighted by juniors Lizzy Tenney (No. 1) Kate Curci (No. 2) and Gouthami Sunku and senior Cyan Grandison (No. 3).

Harrison: Returning letter-winners Bonnie Calbert, Arisa Leija, Aurora Bamba, Mary Left Hand, Christina Peterson, Leilani Conklin and Sonia Ruelas bring high hopes to the Panthers.

Lewis-Palmer: Five state qualifiers highlight an experienced crop of letter-winners for the Rangers, led by two-time participant Kameo Kardel at No. 1 singles and Maria Finger at No. 2 singles. Doubles players Natalie Torrance, Jenny Roddam, Aly Arnold and Rachel Habermehl hope to return to state as well.

Mesa Ridge: The Grizzlies bring back eight letter-winners, led by senior Jordan Hoyle, who moves up one spot to No. 1 singles. Seniors Lauren Swanson (No. 2 singles) and the top doubles team of seniors Oschelle Lopez and Arielle Howell give the team experience at the top.

Mitchell: First-year coach Paul Bernier has several experienced letter-winners, such as top singles players Faye Tucker, Kristi Leung and Lauren Berry as well as doubles players Demi Miller, Cassie Patton and Stacy Sprewer.

Palmer Ridge: Second-year coach Sheri Hiester is hopeful for the program’s first state qualifications, possibly from No. 3 singles or No. 3 doubles.

Sierra: Seniors Kim Dixon, Timeisha Hunt and Jazlynn Robinson and junior Olivia Spencer return in what first-year coach Jeffery Borst calls a “promising rebuilding year.”

St. Mary’s: The Pirates return just four letter-winners, led by senior Chrissy Tickel at No. 1 singles and junior Nikki Callendrella at No. 2 singles. Cathy Cichon and Katie Raskob add experience in doubles for second-year coach Kelli Ford.

Wasson: Coach Kim Danielson has seven returning letter-winners, led by junior Rachel McLaughlin.

Widefield: The No. 3 state-qualifying team of senior Jasmine Warrington and sophomore Taylor Anderson highlight the six letter-winners for the Grizzlies, who also boast five returning seniors from  a 7-4 team.