The Future Arrives

Okay, who says size matters -- particularly in sports?

Standing at 5-foot-5 and weighing in at 110 pounds soaking wet, Spring Hill's Garrett Napolitano is not a particularly imposing figure.

But try to run that past any of the middle school tennis players or area coaches who witnessed the 12-year-old guide the fortunes of the unbeaten Challenger Navigators this year.

The Navigators, who have captured 22-of-23 matches across the past three seasons, return 7-of-8 All-County netters for next season paced by Napolitano.

The third of four children to Peter and Nicole Napolitano was born at nearby Oak Hill Hospital and has lived in Hernando County for nine years.

Napolitano: 101

Garrett is the younger brother of Central High's frosh sensation Nick Napolitano. Nick and classmate James Wert -- two graduates of Challenger K-8 -- enabled Bears' Head Coach Hank Deslaurier's squad to rebound from 4-8 in 2007 to 8-4 in 2008.

In turn, the younger Napolitano blazed his own trail. In completing his first season of middle school tennis this year, Napolitano went unbeaten notching a 7-0 won-lost slate mostly at No. 1 singles while registering an identical 7-0 slate at the rugged No. 1 doubles action.

Following the season, opposing coaches delighted in Napolitano's rise between the lines.

"Napolitano is a great player now," accessed Powell's Head Coach T.J. Roberts. "He's already got a lot of talent; he's only gonna get better. Wait till he gets a little older and stronger."

"I think Napolitano is beatable," explained Parrott Head Coach Allen Platt. "But I don't have an athlete who could (beat him). He's on par with the skills Chris (Nyholm) had when he was here with us. He's gonna get stronger and then he'll be unbelievable."

"He's had good sportsmanship," emphasized West Hernando Head Coach Cheryl Paradis, on another part of Napolitano's game. "He never made his success difficult for his opponents. He never said or did anything to show up his opponents. You watch him and you see he tries his hardest. He deserved this (POY)."

"He received our Rookie of the Year award," noted Challenger Head Coach Brett Teitelman. "I think he still needs to improve mentally. He doesn't have the killer instinct on the courts yet. Once he gets it, he'll pound people to death. Right now, he lets his opponents hang around too long."

Why the success so early?

Napolitano explained the his rise on the tennis courts came at a time when the Challenger program was in transition. He was swept up in a youth movement.

"Really the team was kinda new this year," summed up Napolitano, who has attended Challenger since fourth grade and served as team manager in 2007. "We only had two eighth-graders this year. Our future is ahead of us. We have a lot of depth."

Where has Garrett improved the most and conversely what does he still need to work on?

"My backhand and forehand have gotten better," he shrugged. "But really, so has my footwork. I still think I have to improve on my serve. It's fast, but not that fast. I'm taking lessons weekly at Glen Lakes to get better."

How's the relationship with Coach Teitelman?

"He means a lot to me," shared Napolitano. "He's always telling me to keep my head in the game, to stay focus. He's right."

What started Napolitano on tennis?

"When I was smaller I was watching tennis a lot and then my dad and I went out and got some racquets," he recalled. "I've played against Nick and my dad. It's a lot of fun when I play against Nick. He's an incredible player. He hits it with such top spin, even though I have trouble, it makes me a better player."

Other hobbies, interests?

"I've always enjoyed football," insisted Napolitano. "Tennis is my main game, but I play football with my friends, too."

In the future?

What's next year going to be like?

"At this point, I think we'll take the (county) title again next year," said Napolitano. "We've got mostly the same guys all back."

What's the motivation to get better?

"I have confidence in my abilities, but I practice every day to get better," answered Napolitano, who is also an honors student at Challenger. "I know the players around here and I know how they play."

How's it feel to be the County's Player of the Year? Next year may be different.

"Getting Player of the Year as a sixth-grader feels pretty good," smiled Napolitano. "I received Rookie of the Year from my team. Right now, I go there with one thing in mind, just try my best."

So far, even at 110 pounds it's working out just fine.

By the Numbers: Garrett Napolitano (7-0)
- By TONY CASTRO
Singles
Opponent School Results
Trey Adams West Hernando W 6-3
Andrew Brunner Powell W 6-4
Joey Siegfried Fox Chapel W 7-6 (7-5)
Brandon Gemmiti Parrott W 7-6 (7-5)
Joseph Lucky West Hernando W 6-0
Matt Campbell Powell W 6-2
Joey Siegfried Fox Chapel W 6-1