Canyon del Oro defeated Amphitheater 7-2 late Friday night to close out a match that was much closer than the score indicated. The Panthers (2-2) forced CDO (5-1) to the limit on a few singles matches and then played them into the setting sun with three hotly contested doubles matches.

Even with the loss, the Panthers appear to be ready to play this year. One of their two victories was a 6-3 win over perennial power Sabino last week and the other came against section foe Flowing Wells last night.

Even more amazing, the No.1 player for Amphitheater is only entering his third year of playing competitive tennis. Venuste Imanirumva leads an All-International squad that includes players from Thailand, Burma, Malawi, Vietnam, Mexico, Nepal, India, Iraq and Namibia.

Imanirumva's parents came from Congo and he is a refugee Rwanda. By chance, he was placed in Tucson just like a few of his teammates. Immigrants one way or another, Imanirumva feels a special bond with his team.

"We all enjoy tennis and are good friends," he said when asked about his team. "We have been taking lessons and playing in summer leagues together."

Imanirumva spends weekends with his mother and brother but most of his time is spent with his unofficial guardian Renee Guth. Not only has Guth been instrumental in his English development, she has taken him in like he was one of her own.

"He is a part of my extended family and my husband's family," Guth explained. "He's awesome."

Guth and a few other moms took it upon themselves to drive the boys to tennis leagues and tournaments held at several locations around town and a few of the boys take lessons from Dan Prasil, who just happens to be the CDO boy's coach.

Life as a refugee and as an immigrant to the United States has taken a backseat to the life here and now. Simply, Imanirumva and his teammates are now Panthers with a common bond.

The Dorados' top player, junior Alejandro Lopez, moved in from Silver City over the summer and he has taken to his new role nicely.

"I knew I'd have to dedicate myself to keeping the top spot when I moved here," he said. "But we are good from one to six. A lot of it has to do with our coach and how much dedication he has for us."

 

Canyon del Oro 7, Amphitheater 2

Singles

Alejandro Lopez (CDO) over Venuste Imanirumva, 6-0, 6-0

Andres Mendoza (CDO) over Lu Reh, 6-3, 6-2

TJ Black (CDO) Jean Habyarimana, 6-1, 7-5

Gabe Unruh (CDO), over Dong Huynh, 6-6 (7-2), 7-5

Sherman Ryan Smith (AMP) over Nate Firor, 6-4, 6-1

Wynn Snell (CDO) over Meet Patel, 6-0, 6-1

 

Doubles

Lopez/Mendoza (CDO) over Habyarimana/ Imanirumva, 8-3

Black/Unruh (CDO) over Smith/Huynh, 8-6

Reh/Patel (AMP) over Firor/Martinez. 8-6