If one is talented enough, that talent can open doors of opportunity.
In Chris Choe’s case, his talent as a tennis player earned him a spot on the William Jewell tennis squad.
That spot as a college athlete will lead to even more elaborate doors of opportunity. In college, he’ll have a chance to study abroad.
“For the next two years, I’ll be in the Oxbridge program [at William Jewell],” said Choe, “at which I’ll be learning the tutorial system, which is basically the British system for education.
“If I do well, then my junior year I get to be a fully-enrolled student at Oxford for a year.”
Yes, that Oxford, the University of Oxford in England, one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the world.
Choe worked hard to hone his talent as a tennis player to achieve these opportunities. He was an integral part of Central’s tennis team in his four years as a varsity player.
During that time, the Bulldogs won four-straight district titles as a team. Choe also made it to the Class 2 sectional round each of the four years, highlighted by a trip to the state tournament his junior year where he made it to the quarterfinal round, finishing sixth in the state.
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In 2015, Choe’s senior campaign, he fell to a Rock Bridge player in sectionals. Rock Bridge would go on to win the Class 2 team title.
“I remember the kid I played was a really talented player. He was like next-generation,” Choe said. “It was tough because no one wants their season to end their senior year. I felt like I could play better than I did. I give the other kid credit. I left it all on the court and left with no regrets.”
His high school career came to an end, but he made a lasting impact as a Central Bulldog.
Chris Choe is not your typical individual-sport athlete, in that he values the relationship with his teammates over just about anything else.
“The team concept appeals to me,” he said. “When you go through experiences on a team, you grow as a team and as an individual. You learn about yourself and as a group as a whole.
“My freshman through junior year, I was an underclassmen just trying to live up to expectations and not let the upperclassmen down. My senior year, the bond was different. This year I was trying to lead by example and trying to prep the underclassmen to lead next year. It was more of a ‘passing of the torch’ relationship rather than years before.”
That team-first attitude developed early in life for Choe.
During his freshman year, Choe played soccer on the pitch for Central.
“Honestly, I think my passion from tennis and soccer stem from similar reason,” he said. “My initial desire to play tennis came from the people I met playing soccer. It opened a new world. I enjoy meeting people. I met some of my closest friends from playing soccer in high school.”
Some friends will stay close to the heart, while others will fade into memory over time. But one thing is certain for Chris Choe: he’ll make many more friends at William Jewell and “across the pond” in the United Kingdom.
“I’d have to say I’m most excited to meet new people from different backgrounds,” said Choe. “I’m excited to get to experience things I can’t experience in Springfield… While I’m [at Oxford] I really plan on exploring and doing everything I can there. I really want to try to play tennis there or join the row team. So junior year on top of school, I really want to experience the culture and get involved in everything I can.”
