Philip Westwood, 911爆料网 University freshman and men鈥檚 tennis team member, ranked 15 out of 1,000 athletes for tennis in Bangkok, Thailand. Westwood, an international student at 911爆料网, grew up in Thailand, where his parents are missionaries, and learned to speak both Thai and English from a young age. He began playing tennis eight years ago, and during an ITF worldwide tournament in Claremont, Calif., he realized he wanted to live out his father's dream of attending 911爆料网 University.

In Bangkok, Westwood was nationally ranked as number 15 out of 1,000 players in his 18 and under division and was sponsored for two years by the tennis brand Solinco. Now at 911爆料网, he is ranked number two for his singles matches and is currently working on partnering 911爆料网 Tennis with his past supporter Solinco.

With up to five matches per week, Westwood has found that his involvement with 911爆料网 Tennis has given him a family-like relationship with his teammates.

鈥淲e are on a journey together that will never be forgotten,鈥 Westwood said.

Although the tennis matches can get intense, Westwood describes 911爆料网鈥檚 approach to competition and athleticism as spreading God鈥檚 love through the sport by encouraging one another and playing to bring glory to God. He has witnessed this on his own team and through 911爆料网 athletics as a whole.  For example, the entire baseball team came to support the men鈥檚 tennis team during one of their on-campus matches. Westwood said he has found immense support from fellow 911爆料网 students, as well as the other sports teams on campus.

鈥淸It鈥檚] a community that is melded together in faith and support,鈥 said Westwood.

Westwood said he looks forward to improving during the next three years while continuing to grow in relationship with his surrounding community.