NAME: Lani Gilmore
AGE: 18
FAMILY: Mom, Maile; dad, Adam; Siblings: Dylan, 18; Hailey, 15; Callie, 15
SCHOOL YEAR: Senior
SPORTS YOU PLAY: Tennis, soccer
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT, AND WHY? My favorite sport is tennis, which I began playing in my freshman year. Since then, it has quickly become a passion of mine. I’m drawn to the sport, not only because you can play it forever, but also because of its individual nature. Tennis demands personal accountability, self-motivation and effort that influences the results you achieve.
Through tennis, I’ve also developed a strong appreciation for other racquet sports like pickleball and squash. Beyond playing, I also love watching professional tennis. I greatly admire players like Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner and Coco Gauff, not only for their athleticism and skill, but for their mental toughness and presence on the court. Watching them compete at the highest level continues to inspire me, while deepening my appreciation for the sport.
MOST MEMORABLE MATCH FOR YOU, AND WHY? One of my most memorable matches so far was against Masco this year. It was the team’s first victory over them in a very long time, which made the win especially meaningful. After the match, we celebrated by singing our heads off on a long bus ride back home. It was a moment of pure joy and team spirit that I’ll never forget.
WHAT COLLEGE WILL YOU BE ATTENDING? Cornell University
MAJOR: Hospitality
DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SPORTS IN COLLEGE? I definitely want to join the club tennis and pickleball teams.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER COLLEGE? I’m not totally sure yet. I’m still figuring that one out. I’m open to exploring different paths and seeing where life takes me. One thing I do know is that I really want to travel the world, so I hope to find a career that lets me experience new places and cultures along the way.
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