Auproux winning the right way

Garrett Auproux has seen his share of bad behavior and inappropriate outbursts from opponents during his years playing high school and tournament boys' tennis.

The Burroughs High sophomore has competed against athletes who have used foul language, thrown their equipment, used tactics to cheat and generally act like spoiled brats during matches.

But Auproux doesn't fit in that category.

The singles standout takes a much more subdued approach to his game.

"I just really try and keep my cool and not try and lose it when I play," Auproux said. "I have seen players who throw their rackets or yell out stuff, but that doesn't really help your game. That's just not the way that I am. I just don't get caught up in all of that stuff. I just focus on my game and I try and win as many matches as I can."

Longtime Burroughs Coach Roy Bernhardt said it is refreshing to see a player like Auproux, who along with being a consistent player, strives to play the game the right way.

"He was the captain of the team, and the great thing about him is he is always upbeat," Bernhardt said. "He is definitely not about drama. He is such a gracious loser. When he gets beat he doesn't make a scene and he doesn't get upset. In turn, he's also a gracious winner. He doesn't pound his chest and belittle someone who he's beaten.

"When he plays against a player who obviously doesn't have the same skills as Garrett, he doesn't try and embarrass him or show him up."

It was that demeanor that helped Auproux enjoy a great deal of success during the 2011 season. He was a driving force for Burroughs, accumulating a 44-3 record on a squad that also enjoyed the finest postseason run in the history of the program. The Indians, who placed second in the Pacific League, pulled off some upsets and advanced to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs, losing to eventual-champion Paul Desert, 14-4.

Auproux also won the Pacific League singles title and advanced to the round of 16 in the CIF Southern Section Individual Tournament.

It is because of those accomplishments that Auproux has been voted the 2011 All-Area Boys' Singles Tennis Player of the Year by the writers and editors of the Burbank Leader, Glendale News-Press and La Cañada Valley Sun.

When reigning league singles champion Robert Henry decided not to rejoin Burroughs for his senior season, it looked as if the Indians would be adversely affected by the absence of who would have been their No. 1 singles player.