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Bianca Gavaller Named Scholar Athlete for Class of 2016

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Senior Bianca Gavaller and her teammate shake hands after playing. Gavaller has played tennis for 6 years and has played for North's team since her freshman year.
Senior Bianca Gavaller and her teammate shake hands after playing. Gavaller has played tennis for 6 years and has played for North’s team since her freshman year.

Parkway North has been the home of many great athletes, some of whom will unfortunately be leaving us today. One student, senior Bianca Gavaller, a tennis player, was voted Scholar Athlete of the Class of 2016, an award which is sponsored by the Saint Louis Post Dispatch. This is the 50th year that the Post Dispatch has honors athletes from Saint Louis area high schools.

Being voted for Scholar Athlete is a great accomplishment, as it shows recognition not only from her team, but also from every coach.

“I got awarded [Scholar Athlete] because the school coaches voted for me. They chose the top 25% of the athletes based on grades, and then each coach voted on who they thought should get the award,” said Gavaller.

Gavaller has been playing tennis for six years, and competitively for four.

“I’ve been to Futures tournaments for USTA which are held in various locations in the Missouri Valley region. For school, I’ve been to state twice, once as a freshman in doubles and the second time as a sophomore in singles. I’ve made it to the sectionals, which are right before state, all four years,” Gavaller said.

By starting tennis when she was 11 and earning great recognition for it, there is no doubt that the sport is one of the things that Gavaller is passionate about.

“My favorite sport to play is tennis because I have no other skills in any other sport. And my favorite sports to watch would probably be tennis and baseball,” said Gavaller.

Gavaller will be pursuing her tennis career by joining club and the USTA league for the University of Florida. With her skill level, striving to be a more fantastic tennis athlete will not be a problem for her.

“On your team, you don’t have to be the best or the captain or play every single sport available. Just choose something you love to do, work your hardest to be the best you personally can be, and then everything else just falls into place,” Gavaller said.

Gavaller will be honored by the Saint Louis Post Dispatch on May 18 before the Cardinals game at Busch Stadium.

by Sagar Samuel