Foster Rogers
SOPHOMORE / PULASKI ACADEMY
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: BOYS TENNIS
I’M REALLY HONORED TO WIN THIS AWARD. It’s more of a reflection of my family and my coaches, who have helped me.”
— Foster Rogers, OUTSTANDING BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
>> WHY HE WON
Pulaski Academy sophomore Foster Rogers started playing tennis at age 5. He has been serving with pride ever since, securing his place as the 2018 All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Boys Tennis Player of the Year. As a freshman, Rogers was on the overall runner-up doubles team. His performance was even more impressive this year, when he played the Boys State and Overall tournaments, winning every set. He also overcame a 5-2 first-set deficit to down Catholic High School’s Parker Stearns for the singles title. “Foster is one of the hardest-working and [most] dedicated players I have encountered,” said Bill Topich, tennis head coach at Pulaski Academy. “His mental toughness is off the charts. He stays focused and driven to excel in everything he does.” Topich added that Rogers has the ability to control the tempo of a match, great sportsmanship and a high tennis IQ. That intelligence extends to the classroom; Rogers has maintained a grade-point average higher than 4.0 while taking Advanced Placement classes. In addition to tennis, he also plays golf and basketball. His father, Byron Rogers, said Foster is a natural athlete who could excel at any sport he chose to play full time. “He has a lot of natural ability and a lot of mental toughness — a very strategic-type player,” Byron said. Ranked among the top five tennis players in his class nationwide and first in his class statewide, Foster said he hopes to play Division I tennis after graduating from high school. “I’m really honored to win this award,” he said. “It’s more of a reflection of my family and my coaches, who have helped me.”