LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — It's hard enough to lead one team, let alone two. But as a senior, two-sport captain at Sierra Vista High School, that's what Harrison Stanley must do.
"It’s a real honor almost to be able to say that I’m the captain, like I’ve kind of earned that place almost. When I’m around people that I know I’m comfortable with, I’m good at helping them up and getting them going and feeling good about themselves, instead of down. They are in a better mood. They play better when they’re in a better mood because they’re just having fun. They’re not thinking about it. They’re just having fun playing," said Stanley.
Harrison Stanley is a standout at Sierra Vista on the golf course and the tennis court. His head tennis coach, Brian Strausheim, says Harrison is like having a second coach on the court.
"He really does lead by example. He’s always the one to take charge. He’s always the first one out here at practice helping me set up and getting the players in line and so he’s almost like a coach to me because he really helps me get everyone together," said Strausheim.
As a student, Stanley knows his strengths well.
I have never liked English. I’ve never been good at it. I love numbers and math is always something that has just worked in my head.
Meanwhile, his mom makes sure he's sticking to studying those subjects.
"Even my mother is like, 'OK, if you get a B in English, it’s whatever.' If I get a B in math, then she’s like, 'what's up? what’s wrong?'" said Stanley.
But, Harrison doesn't get many B's. He says hard work and time management are the keys to maintaining a near perfect G.P.A.
"In my off time, I’m studying a lot. When I’m not at the course or on the court, I’m really focusing on school," said Stanley.
"Just seeing how smart he is and how hard he works and how passionate he is about everything he does, I know he’s going to be really successful in whatever direction he goes," said Strausheim.
Harrison says the direction he wants to go is aerospace engineering.
"It would be awesome when someone asks you like, 'hey, what do you want to do for a living?' And I’ll be like, 'I create rockets. What do you mean?' Nobody would mess with you because they’ll be like, 'oh, he makes rockets. Just don’t mess with him,'" said Stanley with a laugh.
After coming up a few shots short the past two years, Harrison says his goal this golf season is to compete in the state tournament.
