Oswego East Co-Student Athletes of the Week

Senior Haley Clebanoff and Junior Keertana Kota make for quite a pair. Although not outwardly similar, tennis has provided both the platform to share perhaps their most important quality, competing. Haley and Keertana played as a doubles team throughout the fall season, and were successful enough to earn a trip to the state finals. They are this week’s Co-Student Athlete of the Week.

Haley’s began playing tennis the summer going into her freshmen year, finding her passion during Oswego East’s summer camp. Haley has played as a member of a doubles and singles team, at various positions, and has managed to earn all-conference honors in each of her four years as a member of the tennis program. As her head coach, Peter Conrad states, “Haley just wins.”

Keertana’s skills have greatly improved from year to year, and only a junior, she has the opportunity to add to her legacy next fall. Coach Conrad is anxious with anticipation, stating, “[Keertana] was a really strong freshmen player, and has really taken her game to the next level. I’m very excited to see what she will be like next season.”

Haley and Keertana’s season was filled with plenty of highs. They won over 15 matches as a doubles team, and were able to qualify for the state playoffs. Their competitive spirit was on full display during sectionals; they were down one set and down 3-5 in the second of a best of 3. Remaining calm and collected, Haley and Keertana were able to storm back and earn their bid to the state finals.

Haley and Keertana not only succeed on the court, but are also high achievers in the classroom. Haley boasts a 4.16 G.P.A. and earned a 27 on the ACT. Keertana has similar success in the classroom, having earned a 4.13 G.P.A. through her sophomore year, good enough to rank her in the top 8% of the junior class. Haley’s also managed to stay busy through a variety of clubs, such as the National Honor’s Society, Tri M, Honor Thespian Society, and the Math and Science Honor Society’s. Her A Cappella teacher, Chelsea Rhoades, sees the same drive and passion in the classroom that Haley displays on the court. She says of Haley, “her greatest strength as a student is her positivity, and she comes to class excited and ready to learn every day.” Not one to be outdone, Keertana is also enrolled in multiple honor societies, such as Science and Math, and is a member of Rho Kappa, the Social Studies honor’s society. Keertana’s father, Suresh Kota, has seen how the qualities that make her a successful tennis player translate into the classroom. “[Keertana] is a very good listener and follows directions,” says Suresh. He goes on to add, “[Keertana] gets along very well with everyone, and is very sincere and hard working.

As far as their future, Haley is still undecided both about where she would like to attend college, and if she would like to play tennis. The University of Loras has expressed interest, and Haley would like to attend a school that is within a few hours’ drive. Wherever she ends up, her parents, Jory and Diana Clebanoff, know their daughters strengths will help drive her to be successful. Jory and Diana said, “[Haley] is very caring, outgoing, intelligent, and has a great sense of humor, and is very committed and competitive-always giving 100%.” Fortunately for East, Keertana still has a year and half to put the finishing touches on an already successful career. She is hopeful she can have the opportunity to attend the University of Chicago after high school, majoring in either engineering or attending medical school.

Haley and Keertana have not only made Oswego East proud, but have provided an example to their teammates and fellow students on the kind of success a pair can have when both people are hardworking, passionate, and committed. As Haley’s senior year almost comes to the halfway point, she has words of advice for future wolves. “Get involved, because you will have an opportunity to walk the hallways and see people you know, making your day a little better.” Keertana’s advice is similar, adding “Do as many extra-curricular activities as possible to get the best high school experience.” We here at East could not be more proud of Haley and Keertana, and wish Haley the best when she moves on to college, and hopeful Keertana can provide the school, her team, and herself one more shot at a state championship.