Los Alamos Middle School Silver Squad sporting the 3rd place medals after the New Mexico State Middle School Championships. From left, Coach Timur Khazratkulov, Tim Dale, Isaac Light, Maverick Hoffe, Levi Gibson, Cullen McLean, Luke Gibson and Head Coach Travis Gibson. Courtesy photo
Head Coach Travis Gibson and Coach Timur Khazratkulov award athletes Cullen Mclean, Tim Dale and Levi Gibson with their 3rd place medals. Courtesy photo
By PAULA Knepper
LAMS Tennis Team
It has been several years since the Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) had a competitive tennis team. During the 2024 season, head coach Travis Gibson and coach Timur Khazratkulov revitalized the once dormant tennis program at LAMS with fantastic results.
During the inaugural year of the reconstructed tennis program, two LAMS squads traveled to the Northern NM State MS Tennis Championship held in Albuquerque, NM Oct. 19-20, 2024, 2024. Twenty-six MS tennis teams from across northern NM competed at the state championships held at the Jerry Cline and Sierra Vista tennis centers.
LAMS sent two squads to the tournament. Athletes competing on the silver squad included Levi and Luke Gibson, Cullen McLean, Isaac Light, Maverick Hoffe, Julia Robel, Vivian Haigh and Tim Dale. Athletes competing on the blue squad included Elan Gaunt, Gabe Mamula, Ali Romero, Nina Saune, Istrella Flores and Calah Crittenden. The silver and blue squads both won round winning against Mountain View and Hoover Middle Schools, respectively. The silver team won the quarter final against Belen Middle School, but the blue team ended their run in a nail biter quarter final with a loss against Grant Middle School. The silver team lost by one in the semi-finals against Santa Fe Prep. The silver squad ended the tournament in 3rd place, which was an amazing achievement for a young team.
After the tournament Head Coach Travis Gibson said, “Our LAMS tennis team showed a lot of growth and had a lot of fun this year. We saw our advanced and intermediate players improve their skills and confidence, and we also saw a group of beginners learn to play and compete. All these players have a lot of potential, and we’re excited about seeing them continue to progress into their high school tennis years.”
Coach Timur Khazratkulov said, “Everyone did a great job. I am so proud of the team! It is just the beginning for all these young athletes.”