Emma Kesterson '19 Recruiting Profile

Competing in sports has always been a big part of my life. As a child I was a competitive gymnast, played on a select soccer team, learnt ballet and performed in many productions. I also played on a basketball team and ran on the track team. At the age of ten I decided to learn tennis too. I was living in Mississippi and tennis was very popular and looked like fun. I started to take lessons and fell in love with my new sport. I could not give all the activities I was doing, the time they needed for me to be successful, and I had to make a choice. I decided to play tennis. I quickly became ranked as one of the top three girls in Mississippi in 12's and 14's. I am also very impassioned with academics and was invited to be a Duke Tip Scholar and a member of the Junior National Honor Society. It was becoming increasingly difficult to train, get competition, and accomplish my academic goals. My family made the decision to live part time in Texas so I could train, compete at a very high level, and get an excellent education. I continue to have these same goals as I approach college. I am an incredibly hard worker and have high expectations of myself. Academics are very important to me, as is tennis. I want to be an excellent student and an excellent tennis player. I have played team sports and I am excited to play tennis for a team and not just as an individual. I am always inspired by my team mates, and perform my best when my team is influenced by my results. I want to go to a college where I can balance my tennis career and my academic performance. My college interests are Physical Therapy and Journalism. I also have a strong interest in education and working with children. I know how to work hard and I am not afraid of hard work!