By Derrick Smith

There are moments in an athlete’s career that are burned into their memory. These memories could be either positive or negative, but either way, it is something that the athlete will not forget. Owasso’s Andrew Aylor had a moment like this, and he says that it has been the biggest moment of his career so far.

“My highlight moment would definitely be when we drew fourth seed Edmond Santa Fe in the first round of the state tennis tournament,” he stated. “The match was about two hours long and we were able to pull off the upset in front of a big crowd.”

Aylor, who is a junior, says his motivation stems from wanting to become the best tennis player he can be.

“My love for the game and to become the best player I can be are two things that motivate me,” Aylor said. “I also enjoy being able to be on a team with a lot of my friends. They are the ones who drive and push me at practice. If I am playing singles, my doubles partner, Joey Perkins, is someone I enjoy going up against. But if we’re playing doubles, it would be Jordan Jones and Brady Johnson. Playing with these guys is never an easy match and they always bring their best.”

Out of all of his teammates, Aylor says that there is one player who flies under the radar for some people, but they should be ready when he steps onto the court.

“Oakley Harbert would have to be an underrated player on the team,” Andrew said. “He’s calm and quiet but when given a chance to compete, his hard work and competitiveness will surprise you.”

Outside of sports, Aylor is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the student council, and the National Honor Society. He says that while he enjoys the game of tennis, there is something he cherishes more.

“My faith in Jesus is the most important thing in my life,” he stated proudly. “My personal relationship with Him gives my life meaning and purpose outside of my ability to play tennis or anything else.”