Washington College Magazine
Tennis Phenom Closes College Career
By Michael McGrath '07
A two-time All-American, Arturo Solis's undergraduate record stood at 76-26 in singles at press time. With two appearances at the national tourney, Solis advanced to the semifinals last year and may be invited back again in May.
The day was bright and warm in early spring. As the sun baked the still bare branches, the canny sound of bouncing balls and polite applause drifted from the Schottland Tennis Center. Arturo Solis '07, WC's number one singles player, was busy dismantling his opponent 6-3, 6-1. Solis, who plays with an aggressive elegance, has come all the way from Guatemala to show Carnegie Mellon's number one what time it is, and even casual observers can sense that Solis has reserves of power and grace beneath his lanky form and exuberant personality. The College's lacrosse program, with all of its success, has a kind of homegrown appeal. The tennis team has a much more exotic flavor. Its roster includes international student athletes from Ecuador, Poland, Switzerland and Guatemala.
This team is exceptionally close-knit, united by a shared commitment to success and a hard-earned loyalty to one another. Ranked seventh in the region in singles, Solis has accomplished much more than the hushed reverence he receives from spectators and other (female) students. He leaves Washington a richer man thanks to his success on the court and brave social scheduling. Tennis "has helped me become close to so many students and faculty members," he says. He takes with him a winning record, friends for life and "no regrets."
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