The Rams athletic program has undergone changes in staff this season, with a new head coach for Varsity tennis and a new athletic trainer for players.
Mr. Nate Slaymaker is going into his third year at TCHS teaching the visually impaired and will take over as the Head Varsity coach for Girls and Boys Tennis. He has a bit of experience since he coached a youth basketball team for three years in a league called Little Giants. Also, Slaymaker played one year of tennis during his high school career at Ventura County Christian and has a passion for tennis.
“I have played tennis my whole life,” Mr. Slaymaker said. “I love tennis and working with students, so when the position opened, I jumped on it.”
Mr. Slaymaker plans to get a feel for the team first and will make adjustments once he has gotten a sense of the team’s playing habits. Returning members have begun to practice and are beginning to strategize for Rio Hondo.
“He really emphasizes the fundamentals and the technique of our swing when we practice or when he gives constructive criticism,” Senior Joy Huang said. “I believe as time progresses the flow between coach and the players will become better making us a strong team this year.”
Mr. Slaymaker plans to use his own personal experience and his coaching background to lead the Rams to another winning season in Rio Hondo this year.
Ms. Alexis Pettway will be the new athletic trainer for the Rams and plans to bring her experience and knowledge to treat players. Ms. Pettway has been working for four year as an independent trainer and also worked for UC Riverside as she treated baseball players and boys and girls soccer players.
She has always had a love for sports as she played four years of basketball and volleyball at A.B. Miller High School. Therefore, she went on to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Exercise at Centenary College on a basketball scholarhship and earned her Masters Degree in 2010 from California Baptist University in Riverside.
“My inspiration for athletic training is I love sports and being an athlete is fun, and now I get to help athletes,” Ms. Pettway said. “Also I learn something every day. I never go a day without learning something.”