Marysville netter survives tendinitis

David Blanchard's high school tennis career didn't quite start the way he had always expected.

Growing up on the tennis court, Blanchard said his mother began teaching him the finer points of the game at the tender of age of 4 years old.

His mentor, Jason Johnson, took Blanchard under his wing at the Yuba City Racquet & Health Club and prepared Blanchard for the intense competition he would face at the high school level.

But in eighth grade, just before he was about to start his high school career, Blanchard developed tendinitis in his right shoulder, sidelining him for his freshman year.

"It's never really gone away, but my freshman year it was really bad," Blanchard said. "My shoulder hurt, I was out of shape and was in no way ready to compete at a high level."

Blanchard was a full-time student at the Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts, but was able to take classes at Marysville High, which made him eligible to try out for the tennis team his sophomore year.

Coming back from the injury, Blanchard was unsure of himself on the court and was hoping to just make the team.

"I figured I'd play, but I didn't think I was going to do very well," Blanchard said. "I wasn't really sure."

Blanchard wound up doing more than getting a little playing time. He would go on to have one of the most prolific tennis careers in Marysville High history.

Blanchard became the No. 1 singles player on his team his sophomore season and held that title until his final match last month.

"I felt bad coming to this team where nobody knew me and playing number one for them," Blanchard said. "They knew I could play so I got their respect and they were cool with it."

He was the Golden Empire League MVP his junior and senior seasons and went undefeated in league both years. He also won the GEL doubles title as a sophomore. This year, Blanchard made it to the quarterfinals of the Sac-Joaquin Section Playoffs.

Because of his accomplishments, Blanchard has been named the 2007-08 Appeal-Democrat Boys Tennis Player of the Year.

Coach Luis Barranon said Blanchard also would have been the No. 1 player his freshman year had it not been for the injury.

"He's just a big strong kid with lots of experience," Barranon said. "He lost a lot of weight this year and got faster. He just loves tennis."

Barranon said Blanchard sets an example for his team through his dedication to the game.

"He's a team leader and is always trying to help his teammates," Barranon said. "All the kids look up to him because he is one of those players who loves the game."

Blanchard is a standout off the court as well.

He had a 4.04 grad-point average and will be attending the University of California, Berkeley this fall where he plans on majoring in political science and economics.

Blanchard said he would like to pursue a career in law, but may not continue his tennis career.

"I'm ecstatic about going to Berkeley," Blanchard said. "I might go out (for the team) as a walk-on, but I really just want to focus on school."

Blanchard said he is unsure about his future, but is open to whatever happens for him at Berkeley.

"I'm expecting some really big challenges," Blanchard said. "This is a fantastic opportunity to get my feet wet and try a lot of different things."

Contact sports reporter Jimmy Graben at 749-4720 or at jgraben@appeal-democrat.com