Commitment Profile
Countdown: Hamilton Likes Tennis, Surf at UCSB
by Keith Kropp, 30 October 2012
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As a rising junior tennis player in Southern California and avid surfer, Teague Hamilton had a slightly different mind-set when exploring his college options. So it came as no surprise at all when the Laguna Beach, Calif., resident chose a school where he could do both.
Hamilton, who considered approximately ten colleges during the recruiting process, made his choice of
UC Santa Barbara in July. One of the big reasons why? The prestigious university located 100 miles north of Los Angeles and adjacent to the Pacific Ocean has an ideal surfing location called Campus Point.
While growing up in one of Orange County's prime beach communities, Hamilton took a great interest riding the waves from an early age. He also played tennis, also starting very young. But surfing was his favorite at that time.
Then everything changed.
"I started playing tennis when I was three, but began full-on training about a year and a half ago," Hamilton said. "I liked surfing more in the beginning. Then the two kinda just flipped."
Hamilton, 17, credits training at Woodbridge Tennis Academy in Irvine for his development on the court, especially the last few years. Under the tutelage of coach Bill Korsak, Hamilton is rapidly improving and some of his recent results reflect it.
Earlier this year the 4-star recruit captured Boys 18 singles titles in SCTA tournaments at Costa Mesa, Laguna Niguel and Los Angeles in addition to reaching a couple of other finals. Along the way, Hamilton, who has a top-50 ranking in Boys 18 singles in Southern California, has earned impressive wins over Drew Dawson of Irvine and Alexander Miaule of Westchester.
"I like to hit the ball big," Hamilton said. "I stay back and try to grind out the points the best I can, keep my opponent on defense and look for a short ball and put it away."
