Student Athlete of the Week Andrew Fong

Playing in his first full season on the varsity squad, Andrew Fong has become a reliable force on Niwot High School boys tennis' No. 2 doubles line.

Last year, Fong was a swing player, splitting time between the Cougars' junior varsity and varsity teams. Now, he's racking up victories alongside partner and fellow senior Gabe Bandera. According to MaxPreps, the two have picked up No. 2 doubles wins against duos from Monarch, Broomfield, and Legacy high schools.

"I'm getting more consistent," Fong said of his senior year growth. "I feel like my mental and physical states have greatly improved, and I've been doing a lot better."

While Fong is aiming for even greater success, he credited Bandera for helping him stay focused and positive on the court.

"We also played together our freshman year, but there's a lot of room for improvement," Fong said. "We're always trying to keep our mental states up. I think so far this season, we're doing pretty good together."

One of Fong's most impressive wins came during the Cherry Creek Invitational on Sept. 14. In a rare promotion to No. 1 doubles, he and sophomore partner John Macintosh defeated a duo from Denver East High School, 6-3, 6-4.

Whether he's playing alongside Bandera, Macintosh, or any other teammate, Fong maintains his respect for the mental aspect of tennis.

"Tennis is more of a mental game than how well you actually do physically," Fong said. "You need to keep yourself motivated in-game, keep your head in it, and focus."

Fong isn't the first in his family to play tennis at NHS under head coach Aimee Hites. His older sister, Caitlyn, was a versatile singles/doubles player for the Cougars who graduated in 2022.

With his own graduation nearing, Fong hopes to close his high school career with a trip to the state tournament.

"I think I have a pretty good chance of making it to state along with Gabe," Fong said. "[I want to] keep playing consistent and always have fun out there. It's not always about winning, it's about how much you improve and how much you can actually get done in the game."

Fong is currently exploring colleges to pursue his interest in computer science and related fields. Joining his school's club tennis team is also on the table.