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Building a Balance
Working to achieve balance and excellence isn’t easy, but Sophia Strugnell, a graduating senior at Northern High, seems to be pulling it off.
Strugnell not only excels in school, but she is also one of the nation’s top ranked tennis players, placing second in the national doubles tournament in 2019.
“Balance for me has always been important,” she said. “A lot of the nationally ranked athletes put academics aside and focus on their sport, but academics have always been important to me. I also think the balance helps me succeed, because it allows me to be more relaxed knowing I don’t have all my eggs in one basket.”
Strugnell started playing tennis when she was 7 years old with her dad. He passed away when she was just about to begin middle school, but she continued playing, in part, for him.
“My dad was my main person, and a big reason why I continue to play. It’s like his legacy.”
Strugnell also works to share her love of tennis with others, working with the Greensboro Tennis Program to bring tennis to underprivileged communities. She says tennis is a sport that is fun at any age.
“It’s not one of those sports that when reach a certain age and can’t play anymore. I will play at the collegiate level, my aunt plays, my grandma plays, the whole family can get into it,” explained Strugnell.
As tennis became a bigger part of her lifestyle, Strugnell said she depended on the support of her teachers and counselors at Northern High.
“Northern has made balancing academics and tennis possible for me. I talk to my counselor, Ms. Christmann all the time and the teachers have been really helpful and flexible with my schedule.”
“She is naturally intelligent, but not boastful about it, and she just loves to learn,” said counselor Kayla Christmann. “She naturally tries to challenge herself in sports and academics.”
Strugnell was recruited her junior year to play tennis at Columbia University, where she plans to study economics. Once again, she said the ability to balance her sport and academics played a big role in her decision.
“I wanted to go to a good school. Who doesn’t? A lot of the athletic programs are pre-professional, but I felt at Columbia I would be able to balance both with their excellent academics, and a tennis team that was ranked 21st before COVID. I also feel living in New York City will give me a lot of opportunities after college.”
While Strugnell says she is excited to begin the next chapter of her life, she encourages incoming high school students to enjoy their next four years, even when it seems hard.
“There are going to be days that you just want to end, but try not to wish your days away. The day you are down and exhausted, it’s all part of life, and bonding with people over that stress and difficulty, there is good in that too.”