News and Sports often bring forth remarkable stories, and one such tale unfolds with Camas junior Leo Zhao. His two tough title-match wins stand out as highlights, showcasing his tenacity and skill on the tennis court.

Unleashing the Rage and Resilience of a Junior Tennis Star

Bi-District Championship: A Battle of Emotions

In the bi-district championship match, Leo Zhao found himself in a precarious situation. Serving a set point in the second-set tiebreaker against teammate Aaron Li, he double-faulted and, in a moment of frustration, threw his racket into the ceiling. The judges penalized him a point, and he went from a position of strength to facing a match point. However, his ability to regroup was remarkable. He won the next three points to take the tiebreaker and then the final set, securing a 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 victory and the bi-district championship. This display of mental fortitude and composure in the face of adversity was a testament to his character.During the match, Zhao's emotions were on full display. He is usually a calm and collected player, rarely letting his emotions get the better of him. But in that moment of frustration, his outburst was a rare sight. He later reflected on his actions, realizing that such behavior was not in line with his usual self. He said, "I'm usually very calm and collected. Like I never scream. I'll celebrate, right? But I almost never let my emotions get to me."

District Championship: A Turnaround in Play

Just one week prior to the bi-district championship, Zhao had beaten Li in the district championship match in another three-set marathon. In that match, Li won the first set 6-1, leaving both players confused. But Zhao showed his fighting spirit by taking the second set 6-0 and then pushing the third set to a tense and close finish. He said, "I think at that point we both realized that maybe it's time to focus now. From there, we both started to up our level of play, and the third set was a very, very tense and close set."Zhao's love for challenges is evident in his free time. He enjoys rebuilding complicated operating systems on computers, seeing it as a form of advanced play. He said, "I just like playing with things. (A computer is) like an advanced toy. Back in the day, we were playing with Legos and learning how those pieces fit together. And now, I’m just moving up the ranking system, you know, computers and playing with the operating system, learning how to program, write software and work with compilers and things like that. I usually have a couple of tech-related projects going at a time."During the summers, Zhao teaches programming classes and donates the proceeds to the Oregon Hope Chinese School. This shows his commitment to giving back and using his skills to make a positive impact.

Analytical Skills on and off the Court

Zhao believes that self-reflection is crucial for improvement. He said, "In my opinion, you should try to self-reflect every day. Like when you’re going to bed, just take a moment to think about what you did that day. What went wrong or went astray and how can I improve for the next day. … Without self-reflecting and being introspective on yourself, you’re not going to improve."This analytical approach extends to his tennis game as well. He uses his ability to analyze his performance to make adjustments and become a better player. His two tough title-match wins are a result of not only his physical skills but also his mental and analytical abilities.The Rest of All-Region team also had their moments of glory. Lucas Walburn from Columbia River was a 2A state qualifier for the third consecutive year and won a third consecutive 2A district title. Micah Nelson from Prairie was a 3A state qualifier for the second year in a row, a 3A district champ and 3A bi-district runner-up. Connor Reid and Dylan Siems from Camas were 4A state qualifiers, 4A district and bi-district champions. Jackson Taylor and Owen Kendrick from Mountain View were 3A state qualifiers, 3A district champs and sixth at bi-district. Nate Little and Noah Coakes from Columbia River were a 2A state qualifier, 2A district runner-up, and 2A GSHL champions.These players have all made their mark in the All-Region team, and Leo Zhao's story adds another layer of inspiration to the mix. Their achievements showcase the talent and dedication that exists in the world of junior tennis.