If you play tennis or visit any one of Oahu's public park facilities with tennis courts, you've probably seen Jared Spiker. He's the polite kid with a racket in hand, patiently waiting for a game with anyone who wants to play. The more talented you are, the better.

“;He's a product of the public parks,”; said John, his father. “;He goes around all the courts—Diamond Head, Ala Moana, wherever, to find pick-up games. He'll play tennis with anybody and that's how he learned the game on his own.”;

It would be tempting to call Spiker, the defending Hawaii High School Athletic Association boys state singles tennis champion, a natural, except he works so darn hard and has done so since he first picked up a racket at age 13. Nevermind that he didn't start playing high school tennis until last season, his junior year, when he won that state title. Spiker started his brief prep career on top and wants to finish it in similar fashion.

Perhaps we can call him a natural with a bulldog work ethic.

“;Jared is a very determined and athletic guy, and I think he has the potential to defend his title,”; Kalani coach Matthew Lee said. “;He's so mature for his age, the way he plays is amazing and it's a real joy coaching a kid like that. As for the label as 'natural,' yeah, that's pretty accurate.”;

Lee has the qualifications to judge talent and ability because he's coached hundreds of kids over two decades. He's coached some great tennis players, but Spiker stands out.

“;He has this mental toughness that can't be taught and can turn his game on or bring it back down when needed,”; Lee said. “;I've never coached anyone like him because he balances that toughness with humility, a strong willingness to learn, and maturity beyond his age.”;

A casual observer might see winning a state title in the first year of prep competition as a lucky fluke. Lee thinks otherwise.

“;Those who would say that have obviously never watched him play, He's a true diamond in the rough and gets better with each match,”; Lee said.

Spiker's win last year was also special because it ended a 26-year OIA title drought. The ILH, especially Punahou, has traditionally dominated Hawaii high school tennis. Spiker shrugs off the thought of representing the OIA or public schools in general, but he takes pride in being a member of the Kalani team and representing the senior class. But he doesn't look too far ahead. With Coach Lee's crew it's “;one point, one match at a time.”;

“;I don't feel any added pressure to repeat, but it would be nice to finish my high school career with a win,”; Spiker said. “;I'm not even looking that far ahead because I still have the OIA championships ahead of me.”;

Spiker's father credits his youngest son's success to hard work and determination. But that only goes so far. Raw talent has to be harnessed and cultivated. That's where Kalani's veteran coach Lee came into play.

“;Coach Lee made such a difference by welcoming Jared into the program in his first year,”; the elder Spiker said. “;He really helped Jared mature and grow as a tennis player. I think he's an outstanding coach and was disappointed he didn't get more attention from the press last year.”;

To be fair, Spiker didn't just show up out of nowhere. He's had a long athletic career that developed the physical and mental toughness. There is also the fact that he's a Spiker.

Eldest brother Jonathan was a four-time state wrestling champion with Saint Louis and middle brother Jason won a wrestling state title for Kaiser in 2009. All three also participated in judo and were nationally recognized. Jared followed his older brothers in both sports, winning three national judo championships before he turned 13. And then he met Rafael Nadal. Well, sort of.

He turned on the television and saw Nadal in a tennis match, and found it interesting. The more he watched, the deeper the game drew Spiker in. He was fascinated by the back-and-forth intensity of the match, the physical stamina and strategy of Nadal, and it looked competitive but fun. Spiker took a few lessons to learn the basics, but the majority of his training was just showing up at a public court and finding a pick-up game.

“;I mostly played adults and they'd mentor me, give me tips during and after matches,”; Spiker said. “;I'm really grateful to a lot of people who helped me out along the way. They were just at the park to play tennis, but they also were my early coaches.”;

Spiker's fans will have the chance to watch him after he ends his prep career in May. He recently committed to the University of Hawaii with a tennis scholarship and will start classes in the fall.