HighFIVE Luke Silverman
Profile by Katie Newell
This HighFIVE profile appears in the 2018 Fall issue of Colorado Tennis newspaper.
Sometimes more isn’t better, but for, Luke Silverman, more has worked perfectly fine.
A sophomore at Fairview High School, Luke is a three-sport athlete, who competes in both JV soccer and varsity tennis in the fall, and then baseball in the spring. Playing in the No. 1 singles spot for the 5A powerhouse, Luke finished first at Regionals. He played No. 1 doubles in 2017, finishing third at state.
One of very few athletes playing dual sports in the same season, Luke said it takes the support of coaches and teammates to make it work.
“My tennis coach let me go primarily to soccer practices during the week,” he explained of Fairview Tennis Coach, Chad Tsuda, “and then I’d practice tennis on the weekends”. He said Tsuda’s consistent positive reinforcement helped him prioritize.
Along with the mutual cooperation of soccer coach, Jeffrey Frykholm, Luke’s contribution to the tennis program has been one of the several factors that have elevated Fairview’s program into the top three in the state, claiming the number one spot last year and replacing Cherry Creek’s dynasty as state champions. This year Fairview placed third behind Regis and Cherry Creek.
Coach Tsuda appreciates the young athlete’s dedication.
“Luke has made an incredible impact on the Fairview team his first two seasons! He has incredible work ethic and intensity on court that the team will follow. He possesses the athleticism that a coach cannot teach and a tenacity for competition that will help him in the future. We are excited for his future tennis with the Fairview team!”
Introduced to several sports as a young boy, Luke said he appreciates the three sports for different reasons.
“Tennis is probably the most mental,” he explained. “You are out there alone and have to rely on yourself to get through the tough times.” He admires the play and on court presentation of Federer. “He is just able to remain really calm and in control on the court, and continually hits cool shots.”
He said soccer was a different type of pressure. “If you mess up in soccer, you affect your whole team —the outcome of the game.” For baseball, he said it’s really a combination of the other two. “Baseball you are really out there as an individual, but it’s a team sport so you have to do your part.”
Committed to doing his part isn’t limited to sports for Luke. He is proud of his role in the family, under parents Kevin and Emily, and as big brother and role model to sisters, Claire (13) and Kate (7), who are also multi-sport athletes.
Of course, balancing multiple sports and his academics takes self-motivation, discipline and time management.
“Time is probably the biggest challenge,” Luke jokes about being everywhere he needs to be and keeping his grades strong. And while he hasn’t decided what college he wants to attend yet, he is interested in math and physics.
He wants to play college sports and hasn’t picked one yet. He did say he knows tennis will be a lifelong sport that he can enjoy.
“I know I’ll have to narrow it down to one for college,” Luke explained, “but I’m happy to play them all now.”
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