by Sheri Duff

Brice Guerriere gives CVU tennis an advantage. For those unaccustomed to tennis lingo, an advantage is when one player wins the first point from a tie and needs one more point to win the game. Not only has Guerriere returned to tennis this season but he has renewed focus, additional intensity, and is more of a fighter after a one year hiatus according to CVU head boys’ tennis coach Frank Babbott. "We are glad to have Brice back. The biggest difference in Brice this tennis season from previous seasons is that he is more of a fighter. Take last Thursday’s match, the team score was 3-3, and Brice’s match was the last and deciding match. It was late in the third set, and he won it 6-3. It was a big victory for Brice – not because he won, but how he won. He stayed with an attacking game plan, kept the unforced errors to a minimum, and prevailed. I daresay this could have been a different conclusion in past years as the pressure might have weighed too heavily. Brice has had other matches that demonstrate his determination. In particular there was a long match versus Mount Mansfield Union, and there will be others," Coach Babbott said.

"It’s true. I used to be a head case," Guerriere admits. "But over the past couple of years I have matured and so has my game."

"I am glad Brice returned to tennis as the CVU program has a lot to offer," Coach Babbott commented. "But I am even more pleased for Brice. He has improved his mental game, has worked hard to add new skills, and these are some of the reasons he was elected co-captain along with fellow senior, Tabor DeGroot."

Guerriere picked up a tennis racquet for the first time as a six-year-old at Burlington Tennis Center. "They had a great clinic for younger kids," he remembers. "My first coach was Robert Fleming." After sixth grade Guerriere attended Windridge tennis camp every summer through his freshman year at CVU. "My tennis really improved at Windridge," Guerriere said, "and I remember getting some of the best tennis coaching there too. I even met co-captain Tabor DeGroot at Windridge."

Coach Babbott adds, "Although it has been a tough season in the win/loss column, the team record stands at 4-7, there have been many positive highlights. Brice is one of them." In fact, Guerriere, who primarily plays fourth singles has a personal record of 7-4 this season.

So why did the senior co-captain of the tennis team take last year off? "I joined the track team," he says matter-of-factly. "As a freshman I was the slowest kid on the cross country team. I chose to devote a lot of time to running, like the track team last spring and over the summer, to make the cross country varsity team," he says proudly. "My commitment paid off and I reached my goal this fall. It is my greatest achievement to date."

Guerriere was also on the CVU Nordic ski team in addition to tennis, cross country, and track and field.

Born on Nov. 29, 1991 Guerriere has lived in Shelburne his entire life. He attended Lake Champlain Waldorf School until third grade and Shelburne Community School (SCS) through eighth grade. His family includes parents, Nancy and John, four siblings, Cole a CVU freshman, Pearl and Greta, a sixth and first-grader at SCS respectively, two-year-old Cooper and a combined menagerie of four dogs and two cats.

"Most people would be surprised to know that I’m interested in theatre," Guerriere says in answer to a question. My close friend Justin Small directed the Stephen Sondheim musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" for his Graduation Challenge in March. I had the opportunity to play Senex, a Roman senator." Guerriere shared. "I had to sing, dance, learn lines. It was a blast."

Although his short-term plans do not necessarily include theatre, Guerriere may have a little last minute drama when it comes down to where to attend college. Currently Guerriere is on the waiting list for his top choice Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. and second choice Boston College. Given the opportunity, Guerriere would choose to go to either of those colleges over Northeastern University where he has already been accepted. Although it could be as late as July 1 before he hears for sure about his waitlist status this student-athlete isn’t worried. Until then he has made a commitment to Northeastern and will demonstrate his determination and patience waiting to hear from one or both of his top choices.

Regardless of what happens on the college front for Guerriere...the ball as they say is in his court.