Bullard’s senior tennis player, Christopher Braaten signed a national letter-of-intent to play tennis for Dallas Baptist University this past week, to continue a strong class of seniors moving on to the next level. Among teammates, friends, coaches, and family pictured at the signing last Wednesday are, from left-to-right: father, Mark, Christopher, mom, Karen Braaten, and sister, Cassaundra Braaten. (Banner Staff Photo by Doc Smith) It was in the sixth grade that Bullard’s state-bound Christopher Braaten became really serious about it, and in between his eighth and ninth grade summer, you could already see the potential for a great tennis player.

After all, it is not just winning the Region III crown, but Christopher plays year-round with his sister, Cassaundra in Championship Major Zone tournaments across Texas, of which Braaten is ranked eighth in the state in Champs Division.

All the hard work, dedication, and long days of tournament play paid off for the senior, as he inked a tennis scholarship to play at Dallas Baptist Univeristy and be a Patriot.

When looking back on his tennis tenure at BHS, Christopher did not come into some easy competition right at the start.

“My freshmen year was hard, because we had two really solid seniors from Van and Athens in our district,” Braaten said, “They were just too much faster and stronger, and they had way more experience than me, so I ended up only getting third in district.”

But things began to change, as Christopher got older, wiser, and stronger.

“In my sophomore year, I got to the regional semifinals and choked in a third set,” Braaten laughed at himself, “but I ended up getting third and being a state alternate.”

Last year, as a junior, Braaten finished the year at regionals, but this year won the whole sha-bang.

But before winning the regional title, Braaten had made up his mind on the next level signing with DBU.

“I first got in contact with DBU this fall, and after a tryout on campus, their coach informed me that I could play for them next year,” Braaten said. When asked about the visit, Christopher acted as though he had found a new home.

“DBU has a great campus, and is a great place to start out in college,” the honor roll student said, “and the coach there is great and the entire team is awesome, so I am totally looking forward to being there next year.

“Besides tennis, all the people there have seemed really nice, and it is a good Christian atmosphere,” Braaten added.

Not quite sure on a major yet, Braaten is looking at majoring in business or engineering.

When asked about his biggest influence on the court, the game itself first came to mind. “My biggest influence on the tennis court would have to be winning,” Braaten said. “I have always been competitive in everything that I do and I hate to lose, so in order to make sure that I didn’t lose, I practiced and got better.

However, he did add in some help at the house, to be his best.

“Off the court, my parents are my biggest influence. They push me to be at my very best, both academically and athletically, at all times.”

This season was the first to have a fall season in some time, and new head coach, Tanya Bryant has made an impact on the new program, and in helping the Braatens make the trip to Austin and to the state championships.

“Coach Bryant was definitely the major fact that helped to get both Cassaundra and me to state,” point blank the soon-to-be Patriot added. “She really helped me out both at districts and regionals, and I know that she did the same for Cassaundra at regionals.”

When looking back at his tennis court days for BHS, and asked about a highlight, Christopher Braaten is living the moment.

“I think this years’ trip to regionals was definitely the most memorable so far,” he said. “Just the fact that both my sister and I could be a part of something this big is awesome.”

And again, the true competitor came out, as Braaten closed, saying, “Hopefully, state will be even better though.”