Joshua Wilde '21 Recruiting Profile

Hi, my name is Josh Wilde from Jefferson City, Missouri and I'm ajournalist, volunteer and multi-faceted tennis player. I started tennis when I was in 4^th grade because I wanted to play a sport a little out of the box where I live. I’m looking for a winning team that will spark new ideas as well as nurture the traditional.  I believe that the only way I can be the very best player on any team is to keep learning new  ideas and improving on the traditional ones throughout my high school and college career.

Making the Missouri state tournament which hadn't been done since 2015 was the highlight of my tennis season, sophmore year.  Another highlight of that year was recieving the 2019, boys 16 and under sportsmanship award  for USTA in the Missouri Valley, Missouri district. However, though I lost my junior season during the 2019-2020 school year due to Covid-19, an organization decided that they would hold the 2020 boys state championships. Placing 3rd in that tournament not only showed my determination to win at a higher level, it also allowed me to become the first individual All-State/ final 4 tennis player in my high schools history. Later in that same year, I won the 2020 USTA Missouri Valley player of the year award for Boys 18s. I began growing that determination when I lost a good majority of my matches a couple of summers ago, that’s when I really had to make a choice and a commitment.  Committing to my tennis meant changing the way I think on and off the court.  I learned how to persevere through tough matches by analyzing my opponent and my game during and after the match.  I learned how to be critical of my game with the understanding that I’m not being negative towards myself, I’m learning from my mistakes.  It has made me a stronger player and a stronger person.  Because of that mindset, I believe I can win our State championship all 4 years of high school.

I am fortunate enough to be working with an amazing coach and teammates.  They’ve helped me grow as a player and a person as I learn to persevere, the art of analysis and teamwork.   I’m looking forward to working with a team to further my athletic ability and personal growth.  I believe my talent and work-ethic will be an asset to any college team and I can’t wait to get started!