Student Athlete of the Week: Ollie Jones

Playing alongside No. 4 doubles partner Tyler Chivukula, Oliver "Ollie" Jones enjoyed an impressive final season on the Niwot High School varsity boys tennis team.

The two seniors rolled through the regular season, defeating duos from Monarch, Broomfield, Boulder, and Cheyenne Mountain high schools, among others. They then qualified for the Class 4A state individual tournament and nearly advanced to the No. 4 doubles championship match.

"We lost in the semis, which was unfortunate, but we played a good match," Jones said. "The people we played (Colorado Academy) ended up winning the whole tournament, so not a terrible loss."

In the team state tournament, Jones and Chivukula's No. 4 doubles line was Niwot's only duo to register a win in the Cougars' first-round loss. Jones helped take down Vail Christian High School's Owen Rey and Hans Wittenberg, 6-1, 6-2.

Reflecting on his senior season, Jones stands proud of what he and Chivukula accomplished.

"It was awesome playing with Tyler," Jones said. "He's a fun player on the court and makes the whole game interesting. I wouldn't have a different partner. It made it a lot more fun for my senior year... We've known each other for a few years now, so we liked playing with each other."

Jones, a four-year varsity contributor, also played alongside Rex Wallington, Lauritz Stranzenbach, and Kaushik Chandana earlier in his Niwot career. Finding ways to win with whomever he was paired, stands out as an important experience for Jones.

"I learned how to work with the team and figure out how to make it work with another person instead of just on your own," Jones said.

With tennis now complete, Jones said he is focusing more on academics while finding time to ski. He's also taking classes at the St. Vrain Valley School District Career Elevation and Technology Center, including an EMT (emergency medical technician) course.

Hoping to study "something health-related," Jones is currently waiting to hear back from the colleges to which he applied. Attending a school that will allow him to continue skiing is also a priority.