Sunday, April 09, 2000
HIGH SCHOOL INSIDER
Walnut Hills' Thomas excels at string music
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
There are few athletes in Cincinnati who can match the multitalented Eric Thomas, a 14-year-old Walnut Hills freshman.
Ranked one of Cincinnati's best tennis players, Thomas is also an accomplished violinist who will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York with the school's orchestra April 22.
“I started playing the violin when I was in kindergarten at Sands Montessori,” Thomas said. “Sands is an art school, and everyone was required to play an instrument.”
It wasn't until three years ago that Thomas took up tennis, playing with his older brother, Ian, at the Gamble Nippert YMCA.
“My brother quit because of arm trouble,” Thomas said. “(Teaching pro) Roland Lutz encouraged me to stick with it, although I wasn't successful the first year.”
This past summer, Thomas earned the No.52 ranking in the country for 14-and-under and is now ranked No.78 nationally in 16-and-under.
“The turning point for me came in a Dayton tournament two years ago,” Thomas said.
“I was down 5-0 in the third set to (No.2-seeded) Brian Steginsky from Dublin and I came back to win. From then on, I realized how much tennis meant to me.”
Although tennis has been Thomas' main focus the past two years, he decided to stick with playing the violin and join the 45-member Walnut Hills Orchestra.
“We're one of nine orchestras invited to play at Carnegie Hall,” Thomas said.
Thomas defeated highly regarded Sycamore sophomore James Tyler last week and has matches remaining with Ryan McCarthy from Indian Hill (April 20) and CHCA's Jason Zimmerman (May 1).
“I'll play Ryan on April 20,” Thomas said. “As soon as the match is over, I'll get on the bus with the orchestra members for the trip to New York.”
TOUGH CARTAYA: Playing with pain is nothing new to Christy Cartaya, a junior pitcher for the Mount Notre Dame fast-pitch softball team.
Diagnosed with a lower back stress fracture in February, Cartaya was fitted with a protective back brace that enables the 17-year-old junior to play this season.
“The doctor (Dr. William Fitz of Wellington Sports Medicine) wanted me to take off four to six weeks so the injury could heal,” Cartaya said. “I didn't want to let the team down, so I decided to play with the brace.”
Cartaya suffered the injury more than a year ago. Her mother, Bonnie, had here examined by seven doctors before Fitz came up with the diagnosis.
Adjusting to the brace hasn't been a problem. In five starts for the Cougars, Cartaya is 4-1 and hasn't allowed an earned run in 25 innings.
“Christy was brought up to the varsity in the middle of her freshman year,” MND coach Mary VonBargen said. “She's throwing well, but we don't allow her to bat because she can't run.”
After the high school season is completed, Cartaya plans to rest her back before joining the Cincinnati Elite fast-pitch team for the summer season.
“I'd like to get a college scholarship for softball,” Cartaya said. “This is an important summer, because that's when the college coaches will be watching.”
CLASSIFIEDS: Oak Hills is looking for a head wrestling coach. Call Dick Haucke at 922-2383.
Summit Country Day is looking for a head boys soccer coach. Call Terry McConnell at 871-4700.
Western Brown, a Division III school, is looking for a football scrimmage Aug.18 (home or away). Call Tim Cook at 937-444-2544.
Aiken is looking for a head varsity girls basketball coach. Those interested should Fax resumes to 853-2508.
• Deer Park is looking for a varsity girls soccer coach and a head wrestling coach. Applicants should call Mike Morgan at 891-0010.
MOELLER STAG: Jerry Carroll, owner of Kentucky Speedway, will be a guest speaker, along with UC coach Bob Huggins, at the Moeller Sports Stag on Thursday at the school.
WAINSCOTT COMMITS: Joel Wainscott, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound tight end for Elder, has committed to Morehead State University.
A first-team Greater Catholic League South Division selection, Wainscott caught 32 passes, five for touchdowns.
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