Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League

 
Ryan Estatico was the number one singles player on Chartiers Valley High School's tennis team, a four-year varsity starter, and returning team captain. Ryan was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in October 2018 and continues a regimen of chemotherapy treatments three days per week. It is expected that those intense sessions will be reduced to one per month soon, but doctors say they will continue through 2020. Despite the diagnosis and the harsh effects of the treatment, Estatico has amazingly been able to continue to perform for the Colts on days when he feels up to it. In fact, there have been several occasions when Ryan received a treatment in the morning and appeared in a match that same afternoon. He has displayed great stamina, although not at his previously level. Disappointed in not playing in his traditional top spot, Ryan, a selfless teammate and captain, put his squad above himself and has mostly played doubles since singles play in Chartiers Valley's section is so competitive. He's garnered a 4.7 grade point average and does volunteer work for the Saint Vincent DePaul Society. His school and community back him through the student support group, "Estat's Army", named for him and several of his teammates and friends have shaved their heads to show their support for Ryan during his battle with cancer. He won the KDKA-TV Extra Effort Award and was named a WTAE-TV Action Athlete of the Week.