Boardman's Salcedo gets support on the courts



The sophomore-to-be has weekly practices with former pro Rashid Hassan.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- If we all had support groups like Bryant Salcedo's, what a wonderful world it would be.
Thanks to his family, the 15-year-old gets better and better in tennis.
For his appearance in the Division I state tournament this past spring, the Boardman High sophomore-to-be has been named Vindicator boys tennis player of the year.
From Day 1, Salcedo was the Spartans' No. 1 singles player. He finished his freshman year with a 19-2 record.
Bryant did it himself, but no youngster progresses without nurturing.
Enter, parentals.
Dr. Stephen and Janice Salcedo get some of the credit for providing their oldest son with professional instruction from Rashid Hassan.
Bryant spends part of his non-school time with the personal coach from Monroeville, Pa.
"It's been worth the money," the 5-9, 145-pounder said of weekly lessons to improve his game.
Started in February
Hassan has only been Salcedo's coach since February, but the former Zimbabwean pro who played until getting injured has had an impact.
Bryant claims he can "see the ball" on the opponent's racquet.
"When's its coming off an opponent's racket, I can see where it's coming so I know what I can do with my shot," Bryant said of his sharpened perception.
"I'll drill hundreds of balls so I can identify. It's something you can learn, if you practice. That's called seeing the ball."
Hassan has also taught Salcedo to identify different zones on the court for either attacking or defending.
"It starts with the eyes seeing it, then converting all of it," he said.
Aside from his high school season success, Bryant plays U.S. Tennis Association matches.
As of June, 2004, he was ranked 78th nationally in the 16-under division.
His final 2003 ranking among 14-unders was No. 18. Bryant won't be 16 until December.
Heavy summer schedule
His summer schedule has already begun. He played in Indianapolis last week and will travel to tournaments in Lexington, Ky., St. Louis, Rockville, Md. and Kalamazoo, Mich.
Of 31 days in July, he'll try to return home for about a week.
Cognizant that many of the better outdoor USTA players are concentrated in warmer parts of the country, Salcedo is considering the climate factor in his choice of college.
"I'd like to go to a college in the warm states a few years and then try the pro tour."
Academically, Bryant is leaning toward with sports medicine and physical therapy. His father is a dermatologist.
Split at state meet
In his first state high school tournament match at Ohio State in May, Salcedo beat Jim Brannon of Cincinnati Oak Hills, 6-3, 6-3, then lost in the quarterfinals to Lexington's Ty Schaub, 6-2, 7-5.
Both Brannon and Schaub were seniors.
"There were no excuses," Bryant said of the loss. "He was a good player and I definitely wasn't playing my best game on that day. I've played better."
The matches were two hours after first match.
"He was good, but it's not exactly what he wanted," Bryant's mother, the former Janice Jonda said of her son's state finish. "But, he'll try again next year."
Salcedo believes Schaub's USTA ranking is around 200 nationally among 18-under players. Converted, Salcedo estimates that ranking to be comparable to his own among 16-under players.
A brother, Robert, is an eighth-grader at Byzantic Catholic Central. When Robert gets to high school, the Salcedos may be paired as a doubles team.

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