Mizzou Tennis Inks NLI with Cardenas Rifka
3/6/2020 11:43:00 AM | Tennis
Cardenas Rifka ranked as high as No. 287 in World Junior Rankings
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Tennis head coach Colt Gaston announced the signing of Romary (Rom) Cardenas Rifka Friday, as the Merida, Mexico native signed her national letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic career at the University of Missouri. Rifkas will join the program in the fall of 2020 with four years of eligibility.
Cardenas Rifka has boosted a career-high ranking of No. 287 in the ITF Junior Rankings, and was a member of the Mexican National Team for the Federation Cup in 2019.
"I am very excited about the addition of Romary to our program," said Gaston. "Her passion, drive and competiveness is something that stuck out to me and I know she will have a major impact on our program right away. Romary comes from a great family and after spending time with all of them on a recent visit, I knew this would be a great fit. She has a bright future ahead of her and we look forward to getting started with her in the fall."
"I chose Mizzou because everyone made me feel like I was at home and I know that working together will help me reach my goals on and off the court," Cardenas Rifka said.
Cardenas enjoyed a highly successful 2019 season in junior competition, as she posted an overall record of 66-30. In doubles competition, the Merida, Mexico native went 37-12 while capturing five tournament titles. With partner Alejandra Cruz, Cardenas finished first at the JB3 Cancun (June), J4 Monterrey (August) and J3 Zapopan (October) Tournaments. She also finished first at the J5 Managua (May) with Deborah Dominguez Callado and at the J4 San Jose (May) with Leah Kuruvilla. In singles play, Cardenas went 29-18, highlighted by three runner-up finishes at the J5 Managua (May), J4 San Jose (May) and J5 Zapopan (October) Tournaments.
Cardenas comes from a highly decorated athletics family, as both her parents competed in the Olympics. Her father, Alejandro Manuel Cardenas Robles was a four-time Olympian on the Mexican Track & Field National Team, competing in sprints events at the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Her mother, Maria Romary Rifka Gonzalez, is a two-time Olympian high jumper for Mexico who competed at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
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