CARGLE TO PLAY TENNIS AT METHODIST

Matt Cargle should certainly be well-prepared for a collegiate tennis career.

Cargle, who lives in Cape Girardeau, spent the last two years at the famed Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Some of the top professional tennis players in the world have spent time at the Bollettieri Academy, including Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Andre Agassi.

"It was hard, but it was a good experience for me," said Cargle, who recently signed a letter of intent with Central Methodist College in Fayette.

Cargle was one of Central High's top players before leaving the school after his sophomore year to attend the Bollettieri Academy. He earned his high school diploma this year from Bradenton Academy in Florida.

"We'd have school from 8:30 until-noon every day, then we'd play tennis from 1:30 until-5:30, including one hour of conditioning. Then at night we'd study," he explained. "It was hard, really intense. You didn't get any freedom at all. It was practice, practice, practice."

Many of the top-ranked junior tennis players in the world attend the Bollettieri Academy, with about 160 full-time students there each year.

"There were some awesome players," he said. "And I got to meet a lot of pros that would come by because Nick is their coach. Michael Stich and Mary Pierce were both there some and I'd talk to them. I've even talked to Pete Sampras."

Cargle, who spent his summers in Cape Girardeau while living in Florida during the school year, is looking forward to his collegiate tennis career. He hopes to major in psychology and figures to immediately be among the top players for the Eagles.

"I'm looking forward to going to college," he said. "Obviously I won't go pro (in tennis), but I'm going to use my tennis to pay for college."