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getting to know FIRST-YEAR TENNIS PLAYER MITCHELL FRANK Mitchell Frank accomplished more in a few weeks than some amateur tennis players do in a lifetime. In August, he was the runner-up at the 2011 USTA Boys' 18s National Championships. The No. 2 seed, Frank became the second Cavalier to reach the finals in this tournament. Even more impressive was the fact it enabled him to receive a wild card into qualifying at the U.S. Open. Frank won his first match in the qualifying round by beating Kenny De Schepper, who was No. 135 (some 500 spots ahead of Frank in the ATP ratings) in five sets. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE … … TV show: "Family Guy" … movie: "The Dark Knight" … actor and actress? Will Ferrell and Alice Eve … Charlottesville hangout/restaurant? Tara Thai … musician/band? Wiz Khalifa … pro sports team? Washington Redskins … person in history? George Washington … food? Thai … UVa class? Anthropology: Language and Culture … sport (other than tennis): Football … pre-match ritual? I always wear the same hat for a week In October, Frank became the sec- ond consecutive UVa first-year to capture the ITA All-America singles championship. He lost only one set in six matches and was only the fourth rookie in the tournament's 33-year history to win the title. Frank captured his second major singles title of the fall by winning the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercolle- giate Championship Nov. 6. He is just the fourth player to win both major ITA titles in the same season, and is only the second Virginia player to win the indoor title. Frank became the sec- ond consecutive Vir- ginia first-year to win the ITA All-American singles championship. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA My advice to student-athletes is: Manage your time well and know your priorities and what your goal is in terms of athletics and academics. Get the most out of your experience here and be able to focus on getting a great education. The primary challenge facing student-athletes today is: Being able to ensure you get all your work done in classroom and be able to perform well on the field or court. The best thing about UVa is: Everyone supports each other. It's a great community to grow as a per- son athletically and academically. The relationships you form here are going to have an influence on you your whole life. Why I chose UVa: It has the best tennis program in the country and has a reputation as a great academic institution. When I came on campus for my visit, I felt a special atmosphere. What I like most about playing tennis: I enjoy competing and being part of a sport in which it's all on you. It's an individual sport and you have to figure it out on your own. Once you step on the court you must manage your emotions and your strategy. The highlight of my athletic ca- reer: Practicing with Roger Federer at the U.S. Open in 2010 and being on same court with someone who's accomplished so much in his life. When on court with somebody like that it gives you confidence you can do something successful with your life. The most important thing I've learned from playing tennis is: Things never go according to plan. If you keep working hard, good stuff will hap- pen eventually. My dream vacation would be: Spain. My post-college ambition is: Playing pro tennis. — Mike Scandura UVA ad_HP_7-375x4-8333_r3.indd 1 DECEMBER 2011 ◆ 11 8/23/11 8:54 AM