East Student-Athlete of the Week: Pranav Kannan

After an amazing start in conference play, tennis player Pranav Kannan served his way as East’s Athlete of the Week. Coach Jacob Ochoa recognized Kannan for his incredible performance and for constantly embodying the E.A.S.T. values: Excellence, Academics, Spirit, and Tradition.

Kannan has been playing tennis for 8 years and is aiming to continue at the collegiate level. This season, he has achieved an undefeated 7-0 record, highlighted by a standout win over a state qualifier from Oswego, and is sitting at 6-0 in conference play.

Boys' Tennis head coach Jacob Ochoa has seen Kannan’s improvement from his strong 2024 performance to now. Building on that performance, Kannan’s growth on and off the court is becoming evident.

“His consistent focus, dedication, and drive are setting him up for an even more successful 2025 season,” Ochoa said.

For Pranav, sports aren't just about the competition, they’re about community and growth. Kannan gets strength from those around him to keep going on and off the court, driven by his loved ones and personal goals.

“My friends, family, and personal goals keep me active in the sport and wanting to improve. I don't just play for myself, I play for those who care and want me to succeed,” Kannan said.

Kannan’s parents understand the difficulties that Kannan faces through tennis, acknowledging the mental and physical hardships the sport brings.

“Competitive athletics is hard, but Pranav has shown resilience every day,” his parents said. “Pranav has grown as an honest, humble, resilient, and strong player displaying true sportsmanship.”

Kannan’s achievements extend much further than his dominance on the tennis court. With an undefeated season still intact and an expanding list of extracurriculars, Kannan is equally dedicated to academic success and teamwork.

“I aspire to study mechanical engineering. I found my passion for engineering during the 2338 FIRST FRC SD308 robotics team,” Kannan said. “I was able to work hands-on with robots to compete and win competitions, learning engineering principles along the way. Working in a team and forming connections was extremely rewarding.”

Before joining the East tennis team, Pranav had become used to playing alone, with his main fans and support system being his parents. But when he joined East’s team, it provided him with the support and bonding he had always wanted.

“When Pranav joined the OE team, he felt so good because of the support that he received from his Tennis team,” his parents said. “Everyone believed in him and provided him with not only motivation, but also enjoyment. The team bonding is one aspect that Pranav loves about OE athletics, he loves his school and all the coaches whom he has been trained by.”

Pranav Kannan demonstrates what it means to be a true student-athlete as he succeeds in the classroom and continues to dominate on the court. In addition to victories, his journey has been driven by determination, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for all of his supporters. As Kannan continues to follow the E.A.S.T. values, he has a bright future ahead of him.