Oscar Blacutt, a native of La Paz, Bolivia, was personally recruited to Barton (then-Atlantic Christian) by then head coach Charlie Reynolds.
Blacutt helped revive a program and led the Bulldogs to three consecutive Carolinas Conference Championships (1991-93). In addition, Blacutt went 23-2 as a senior in individual competition and played both No. 1 and No. 2 singles at roughly 5’5” and 145 pounds.
Blacutt was an all-conference and all-district honoree and was named a 1992 NAIA Volvo Tennis/All-American in doubles play along with teammate Sandeep Mulay. The duo also won a NAIA District 26 Championship.
Blacutt thinks fondly on his days at Barton. “I really enjoyed traveling to away matches with the team, especially on spring break. We got to go to some really cool places.”
“Some of my fondest memories were playing doubles with Sandeep Mulay. I also have great memories hanging out with friends throughout the day. There was never a dull moment during my college experience!”
Blacutt’s tennis success continued after graduation. At one point, Blacutt was the top-ranked player in North Carolina in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
Blacutt was also a four-time Davis Cup player for Bolivia and a Gold Medalist at the 2002 Latin American Olympic Games. Blacutt was also ranked No. 1 as a junior player in Bolivia and in the open division
In 1995, Blacutt founded the Carolina Tennis Academy in Greensboro, N.C. Blacutt has worked with several nationally-ranked players including two top 10 junior players in the United States. Blacutt’s most famous student is John Isner, who he started coaching at the age on nine. Isner is now one of the top players in the world.
Blacutt also served as a tennis instructor at the Nick Bollettieri Academy and is currently director of tennis at the High Point Country Club. Blacutt is a well-respected tennis professional in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina.
Blacutt, a 1993 Barton graduate with a business administration degree, and his wife (Julie) are the proud parents of one daughter (Gianna) and one son (Max).
