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Underdog perspective motivates state finalist

By FRANK PASTOR

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 14, 2001

TAMPA -- Some people watch movies for entertainment.

Ryler DeHeart looks for inspiration.

Gladiator, Rocky and The Last of the Mohicans are among his favorite films.

Sometimes, after watching a Rocky movie, DeHeart will jump off of the couch, rush to the Carrollwood Village Golf & Tennis Club and hit serves.

Like his big-screen heroes, he views himself as an underdog who must outwork his opponents to succeed.

"I never really thought of myself as a great player or anything. But I think sometimes if I work hard enough, I can really break through," DeHeart said. "I sort of see myself that way more than other people would see me."

Few in Florida would consider DeHeart anything but a favorite.

The past two years, the Jesuit star has gone undefeated during the regular season at No. 1 singles and advanced to the Class 2A state final, winning a state title in 2000.

Add that he and Taylor Ralph also finished as runners-up in the state doubles tournament the past three seasons, and DeHeart seems more Apollo Creed than Rocky Balboa.

"He has improved every year," Jesuit coach Joe Curtis said. "His most significant feat was going 7-0 in singles play. I make the schedule myself, and we play the very best competition."

DeHeart finally got to play the underdog role in the state final, when he met Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons' Stefan Tell, the state's third-ranked junior player.

In typical Hollywood fashion, DeHeart battled for two sets before succumbing to leg cramps that made it difficult for him to stand during the third set of a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 loss.

"Even though I lost, I think I played very well," DeHeart said. "I gave him a great match. Hopefully, next year will be different."

DeHeart, who will be a senior this fall, is ranked 23rd in Florida's boys 18s. But the number that means more to him is his No. 80 national ranking.

Like a small-town actor looking for that big break, DeHeart is eager to raise his game to a national level.

"Florida's great," DeHeart said. "But there are 50 states."

Friends who have played in college have told DeHeart that coaches will keep a close eye on his national ranking during his first year of 18s.

To boost his ranking, DeHeart will play in state and national tournaments during the summer.

The biggest is the Super Nationals in August in Kalamazoo, Mich. In July, he will play in the Clay Court Nationals in Louisville, Ky., and in the Bush Florida Open in Fort Myers. To prepare, DeHeart practices for up to six hours a day with Steve Smith, founder and director of Tennissmith Training, at Hillsborough Community College.

"I think I've proved I can play in Florida, but I really want to try and do well in the national tournaments this year and break through in that area," DeHeart said. "I haven't done bad, but I think I can do better."

Spoken like a true underdog.

All-Suncoast Boys Tennis Team

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ryler DeHeart, Jesuit

COACH OF THE YEAR: Bill Gunther, East Lake

FIRST TEAM

NICK BASS, Plant, Sr.: 3A state singles quarterfinalist, doubles semifinalist.

CHRIS BLACK, Zephyrhills, Sr.: Undefeated regular season; state semifinalist.

JON BRETT, Canterbury, Sr.: Class A state semifinalist in singles and doubles.

RYAN BUCHANAN, East Lake, So.: Led team to second-place finish at state.

RYLER DeHEART, Jesuit, Jr.: 2A state singles semis; undefeated regular season.

KONSTANTIN LAZAROV, Wharton, Fr.: 3A state semis; district champ over Bass.

RUSHIL RAO, Lecanto, Sr.: 14-0 regular season; district title; second round state.

HONORABLE MENTION: Chamberlain -- Carl Fisher; Clearwater Central Catholic -- Jimmy McFarland, Haley Dodson; Countryside -- Bryan Lauer; Durant -- Shaun Young; Hudson -- Marcus Ressler; East Lake -- Adel Naser; Saddlebrook -- Ben Ureta, Jeff Guerry; Seminole -- Fred Johnson; Tarpon Springs -- Ben Kronk; Zephyrhills -- Chris Hinkle.

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