Barbier won second national title for Alabama tennis | News from the St. Tammany community

Abita Springs native Max Barbier, a 2021 graduate of Christ Episcopal, is living the dream and has the national championships to prove it.

Barbier won his second title as a member of the University of Alabama Adapted Athletics Wheelchair Tennis team, which won its seventh straight title on May 20.

“We’ve been working toward another national championship and making this season something special. I think we’ve all worked really hard for this. We’ve been talking all year about keeping the national championship here in Tuscaloosa, and I think we set the bar for what the standard is here in Alabama. in college,” Barbier said.

“It’s a top-notch school and the most beautiful campus anywhere. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love, play tennis at one of the best schools in the country.”

Barbier, 20, is a rising junior who was an alternate during the national championship. He was born with spina bifida, a birth defect in which a child’s spinal cord does not develop properly. Barbier is paralyzed from the knees down, but that didn’t stop him from following his love of playing tennis.

He has compiled a 27-22 record in his first two seasons and is ranked No. 30 nationally in singles and No. 15 in doubles by the USTA.

“My role (at the national championships) was to be there to bring positive energy, to be a supportive teammate, ready to fill in if someone got hurt. If they needed me, I was ready. As part of the team, it was my job to bring energy and attitude,” Barbier said.

Alabama coach Evan Enquist said Barbier shows promise.

“Max excelled as an alternate in this year’s championships as he was a big, positive voice for his teammates. His personality, intensity and passion give him the ability to do well going forward. He has great overall commitment and shows huge potential. physicality and explosiveness, he is ready and willing to really produce if he continues to develop his patience,” Enquist said.

Barbier also assists Enquist as he conducts weekly clinics for wheelchair tennis players in the community.

Barbier also competes on the USTA-supported circuit. While in eighth grade at Christ Episcopal, he competed in USTA wheelchair events around the South, sparking his interest in playing collegiately. In those events, he eventually received an offer from Alabama.

“Growing up it was extremely difficult not being able to participate in the playground with my friends. I just had to realize that I was born because of my illness, that I was different. I’m a very outgoing guy, so I always had friends, but when I was young it was a real struggle. I quickly realized that growing up I wouldn’t be able to do certain things in life, but I never wanted to let that hold me back. I’ve managed to take a challenging negative (spina bifida) and turn it into a real positive,” Barbier said.

“This is what I want to do with my life. I started working hard in eighth grade, and it’s paying off now in college.”

Barbier said Adapted Athletics Wheelchair Tennis continues to grow, with 16 state universities competing nationally. The two-time champion also has a 2.75 GPA and hopes to become a sports broadcaster.

“I’ve always liked Ernie Johnson and the TNT crew. I also like Joe Buck. I used to love the Duke-Kentucky basketball rivalry with coach Mike Krzyzewski,” Barbier said.

But for now, Barbier is focused on helping Alabama improve its national championship streak to eight next season.