Photo courtesy of Amanda Aragon

Most people don’t dare venture past the Bell Center to the Roger Knapp Tennis Center. Unfortunately, those people will never get the chance to watch the Drake women’s tennis team. The team is 9-1 and is boasting an eight-game winning streak. Senior Amanda Aragon has been a part of the team’s progression during her four-year tenure in the tennis program.

Aragon originally attended Drake University because she wanted somewhere she could play tennis and somewhere with a business school, although she is now in the School of Education. Her final choice for colleges was between Drake and the Air Force Academy. When she went to visit the Air Force, however, she saw the students carrying their backpacks in their arms. Deciding that the structure and discipline of the Air Force was not for her, Aragon went to Drake and didn’t look back. Thinking back, she’s glad that she picked Drake, mentioning how helpful and friendly the professors are and how “all her friends are here.” She managed to balance academic and a social life even with a highly competitive sport.

The 2012 season has been much better than usual for the women’s tennis team. Aragon said that the girls seem much more focused this season.

“Last year was more, ‘I just got to college, I don’t really know what to do with myself,’” Aragon said. “This year, everybody seems more focused on school and tennis.”

Fortunately, the season is only about a quarter of the way complete, with Missouri Valley Conference play still looming ahead. The whole team is looking forward to the State Farm MVC Championship this year. Aragon said that she thinks the team has a shot at top two.

“It’s definitely more fun to be on a team that wins more often,” she said.

Aragon plans to teach after leaving Drake. She won’t pursue tennis professionally, but swears she could never give up the sport she loves. While she won’t have time to play competitively, she still expects to compete in the occasional tournament and is looking forward to playing for fun with her siblings.

Aragon also has another goal that she wants to pursue.

“I want to start a bakery,” she said excitedly.

Always conscious of eating well to support her athletic lifestyle, she wants to incorporate healthy living into her bakery. She said that people with conditions like diabetes or Crohn’s disease should be able to enjoy delicious foods without having to go on additional medications to counteract them.

“All of the products would be different tiers of health,” she said.

She said that the food would have special designations for what ingredients are and are not in the item. This way, people would not have to take any more medicine than is absolutely required. She said that she would like to eliminate drugs as much as possible and instead emphasize a good diet and exercise. She said that she wants everybody, regardless of diet restrictions, to enjoy a healthy lifestyle with delectable baked goods.