OE Student Athletes of the Week-Mary Weber and Makayla Buenafe

Most team sports require numerous athletes competing at once to achieve success. Doubles tennis is unique, requiring only yourself and one teammate to determine the outcome. Success requires a unique and tight-knit bond between yourself and another, as inevitably failure can usually be attributed to one or another. This can at times be difficult waters to navigate, but for senior Mary Weber and sophomore Makayla Buenafe, their self-driven attitude towards success has made for a strong relationship, and even stronger team, which is why they are this week's Oswego East student-athletes of the week.

The path each took to becoming tennis players is different. Mary enjoyed the sport recreationally in junior high, concentrating her focus on cross country. When she went through some medical issues that limited her ability to run cross country, she took a chance at trying out for the tennis team as a freshman and was able to make the varsity as a freshman.

Makayla drew influence from her cousin and picked up the sport in the 7th grade. When asked what she likes least about tennis, her only response was, "I love tennis," and the work she puts in both is evident of her maturation in the sport. "As an athlete, Makayla has put in tremendous time in the off-season at tennis camp every day from 9 A.M. until noon during the summer," says Marissa Buenafe, Makayla's mother. She goes on to say, "[Makayla's] focus and dedication to get up early and be on the court 3 hours a day Monday-Friday is why she has found success."

Style of play is vital when playing a sport with a partner, and being in their second year of doubles together, Mary and Makayla understand their partner's strengths. "Makayla is a powerful baseline player, and I like to control the game more slowly at the net by changing angles and height," says Mary. Makayla leans on her senior captain for support and strength, saying, "Mary helps me get through rough patches whenever something does not go well."

Head coach Pete Conrad understands just what makes his number 1 doubles team so successful, saying, "As a doubles team, they complement each other well." He goes on to add, "They are both hard hitters who have an intelligent approach to the game, but in the way they manage the game and each other their approach complements each other. As a senior, Mary's experience often comes into play on the courts while Makayla's technical understanding of the game contributes to their success."

Mary and Makayla's relationship has led to success on the court for both themselves and their team. Wednesday the varsity tennis program completed an undefeated sweep of the Southwest Prairie Conference and will head into the conference tournament undefeated. As the #1 Doubles team, Mary and Makayla are undefeated in conference and have a 17-4 overall record. Both girls note their team goals for the year are to win the conference tournament and individual goals of qualifying for the state tournament as a doubles team.

It is not surprising that both Mary and Makayla also stand out in the classroom as well. Mary has earned a 4.65 G.P.A. and a 34 on the ACT. With those accomplishments, she will have her pick as to what colleges she would like to attend but is hopeful to being admitted at the University of Michigan, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, or her dream school of Yale. If possible, Mary would also like an opportunity to continue her tennis career in college.

Makayla, just a sophomore, also stands out in the classroom with a 3.75 G.P.A. and has challenged herself by enrolling in courses such as advanced placement (AP) Human Geography, AP Government, Honors Chemistry, and Honors Spanish 3. Makayla is unsure of her intended major but has a goal of earning a scholarship to play tennis, preferably somewhere warm.

Mary's goal is to study biology with the hopes of becoming a doctor. Mary's mother, Nancy Weber, knows her daughter has not only the intelligence but mental make-up necessary to thrive in the medical field. "I can absolutely say she is going to make a great doctor or researcher," says Nancy. She goes on to add, "[Mary] is very calm, and doesn't panic in a stressful situation." Mary's AP Physics teacher, Matt Guerrieri, echoes those sentiments, saying, "Mary has a friendly and easygoing demeanor, and she is incredibly diligent with her work." He goes on to add, "In addition, her abilities to plan ahead and work towards compromise are characteristics of a great leader. These commendable qualities will allow Mary to be highly successful in whichever branch of medicine she chooses." Mary already goes out of her way to help others by working with the Buddy Up program. "For the past 2 years, Mary has volunteered with the Buddy Up Tennis Program, which teaches tennis to children with autism," says Nancy. She goes on to add, "It is a very involved program that requires a ton of patients and caring from the staff."

Makayla's leadership and self-driven attitude are evident in all of her classes. Brandy Gossett, Makayla's Geometry teacher, says, "[Makayla] is dedicated and cares about doing well in her classes." She goes on to add, "She is responsible and very respectful. She is a leader by always completing her work and setting a good example to the other students in the class. She is also very good at advocating for herself and volunteering in class without being prompted."

With Mary graduating in the fall, Makayla will be left to find a new Doubles partner next season, as well as finding success in singles competition. However, neither Mary nor Makayla are looking ahead, instead focusing on the task at hand of winning the conference after falling a few points short last season. Mary's advice to future Wolves is based on her own experiences of joining the tennis team, saying, "Don't be afraid to reach out and try new things, you have to be willing to try and adapt to new situations." Makayla's advice is similar, saying, "Get involved in a lot of different activities, and don't' be afraid to go outside of your comfort zone to make new friends." While there is little doubt these two will find success in their futures after Oswego East, both are focused on the task at hand and leaving a legacy for future Wolves to follow.