Tyler Haanen

 

Haanen is in his fourth school year of MTEF’s critically acclaimed High Performance TEAM Program, an invitation-only, year-round program that emphasizes school grades, life and leadership skills development, and tennis excellence. 

 

 

 

One of the core programs that composes MTEF’s High Performance TEAM program is the NJTL National Student Athlete Competition (NSAC), an annual, 12-month competition whereby children in 4^th – 12^th grade compete for $75,000 in college scholarships and an all-expense paid trip to the U.S. Open. 

 

Children earn points by submitting school report cards and by playing USTA-sanctioned tournaments and Jr. Team Tennis (JTT).  The competition is weighed heavily towards academics over tennis.

 

Points are given in 4 subjects – Math, Science, English, and History.  Each A is worth 400 points; each B 300 points; each C 50 points.  Subjects are graded 4-times a year for a potential of 1,600 points.

 

Each JTT date is worth 5 points and each tournament entered is worth 10 points.  Participants are given 50 points for winning a tournament.

 

In the 2009-10 school year, Haanen came in 5^th place nationally with a total of 6,110 points, earning 11 A’s and 5 B’s.  In the 2010-11 competition, Haanen came in 11^th place earning 6,010 points.

 

“What’s amazing about what Tyler’s been able to accomplish is that he’s done it without playing tournaments,” stated Massart.  “Because he hasn’t had transportation to and from tournaments like a lot of the other kids, Tyler depends on good grades and Jr. Team Tennis play.”

 

Haanen’s goal is to attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) to study engineering and to play on their varsity tennis team.  “I’ve always wanted to be an engineer and we have such a good school right in my back yard,” said Haanen.  “I would also like to play tennis while in school and I think I would have a reasonably good chance of making their team if I work hard.”

 

Working hard is something Haanen is used to as in addition to going to school he has a part-time job at McDonalds in order to pay for his tennis lessons.  North Shore Elite has generously given Haanen a partial scholarship to help make this more affordable.

 

Haanen’s hard work on the court is definitely paying off.  He is one of the top juniors in the High Performance program and according to his coaches the hardest worker in the program.  “Tyler is in my opinion the hardest worker in the program,” noted MTEF instructor, Tim Breilmaier.  “He sets an example for everyone else to follow.”

 

As of March 5th Tyler is in 17^th place with 1,750 points, but he hasn’t submitted his second quarter report card, which when he does will put him among the leaders.  “Winning the NSAC is going to be tough,” noted Haanen.  “But my goal is to finish in the top five.  If I can do that the competition will have been a success in my eyes.”

 

I would definitely recommend MTEF’s High Performance TEAM program to other parents of middle and high school children,” commented Anne Reisenberg, Tyler’s mom.  “The MTEF staff has done a great job of setting challenging, but attainable goals and they have worked hard to make sure that Tyler stays focused on each goal weekly. The High Performance Academic & Tennis plan that was developed for Tyler has made all the difference in how he approaches his school work and tennis competitions.”

 

Tyler will attend college in the fall, where he plans on trying out for the tennis team.  In his spare time, Tyler enjoys playing baseball and listening to music.  In order to improve his physical fitness, Tyler has developed a weight training and aerobic training program.  “Right now I’m playing as much tennis as possible and working out off the court as hard as I possibly can because this is my last shot at high school tennis and I want to be able to say that I gave it one hundred percent.”

 

To follow Tyler in the NJTL national student athlete competition log on to www.usta.com/njtl.