Sports Opens Doors for Students Coming to America : Athletics: Skills on the field help many gain popularity, an understanding of a new culture and, sometimes, a college education.

Jenny Gonzalez and Roberto Intriago came to the United States from Paraguay and Ecuador for different reasons. Gonzalez was mainly interested in improving her tennis game, while Intriago wanted to work on his English.

But after spending some time away from home, Gonzalez and Intriago might eventually leave this country with many of the same things: a wealth of American friends, a better understanding of the English language and American culture and, quite possibly, a college education.

They were top junior tennis players in their homelands, but Gonzalez and Intriago grew tired of the pressure to succeed. Like other foreign athletes before them, they decided to come to the United States for an education--or a change of pace. Once here, they learned a valuable lesson: Athletic skills can help transcend cultural barriers.

Intriago, 18, tried out for the soccer team at Corona del Mar and quickly became one of its best and most well-liked players.

Although he was nothing more than a casual soccer player in Ecuador--it’s the country’s national sport, so everybody played--Intriago quickly caught the eye of Corona del Mar’s Jason Boyce, a four-year starter and a Times’ all-county selection.

“When he first came here, he was unbelievable,” Boyce said. “He was just toying with people.”

Though Boyce barely knew anything about Intriago’s culture, he realized they spoke the same language on a soccer field.

“He runs off the ball really well and does a lot of give-and-goes,” Boyce said. “That’s the way I like playing, too.”

Forward Jed Weinstein said he was more impressed with Intriago’s social skills.

“I expected him not to speak a word of English, but he knows the jokes and everything,” Weinstein said. “He’s mixing in with everybody.”

Corona del Mar boys’ tennis Coach Tim Mang, who has coached several foreign players, said most foreign athletes assimilate rather well.

“They are very coachable and they seem to be sharper and less emotional than the typical American kid,” Mang said. “They’re very mature and they’re very popular.”

Intriago, who arrived in August as an exchange student who knew some English but little else about the United States, has been surprised by the way soccer has helped him fit in with his new peers.

“I was very interested in sports, but I didn’t come specifically for that,” he said. “I figured if I could play soccer for the high school team, that would be great.”

Gonzalez wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived nearly two years ago to live with her uncle.

“It’s never like you think it’s going to be,” Gonzalez said. “I thought it was going to be something special--like you see in the movies. It wasn’t that great.”

Gonzalez’s first year was especially difficult. She didn’t know the language and she had few friends at Valencia. But when she became eligible to play on the tennis team this year, things began falling into place.

“The social groups are so closed here,” Gonzalez said. “It’s hard breaking into them at first. My friend from Paraguay is finding that out now. She doesn’t play sports and she speaks little English. She’s having a tough time now.”

Intriago said he had no idea how many doors would open for him through sports.

“They put more emphasis on sports here, which I think is really good,” Intriago said. “It gives some kids who wouldn’t have a chance at a college education a chance to get a scholarship. I’m really considering trying to get one myself.”

Intriago, who scored six goals in his first 10 games for Corona del Mar, is convinced an athletic scholarship is a realistic goal.

“I’ve talked with my coach (Ray Hales) and he said it could happen,” Intriago said. “I have the skills. I just need to be seen.”

And if he isn’t seen by enough college soccer coaches, Intriago said he will put his tennis skills on display for coaches this spring.

Intriago was a nationally ranked junior player until he suddenly retired from the sport three years ago, saying he was burned out. Although he has barely picked up a racket since, he said he’ll attempt to regain his passion for the game if it means earning a free education.

“I’ll have to see if it comes back,” Intriago said. “My dad said he would like it if I could go to college over here. If I go back to Ecuador with a college degree from the United States, it would be more valuable.

“We have good universities in Ecuador, but (employers) will probably take you first with an American degree. If I could get a scholarship over here, it would make me so happy. It would make my life.”

Gonzalez, a 17-year-old junior, never considered attending a college in the United States until recently. She was too busy worrying about her tennis career and learning how to speak the language.

But now that she has begun to attract the attention of college tennis coaches, her priorities have changed.

“I’m just really tired of tennis right now,” she said. “I’ll still play in weekend tournaments to keep sharp, but my concern now is playing tennis in college. The only reason I’m playing now is to get a college scholarship.”

Gonzalez, who went undefeated during the regular season at Valencia and advanced to the Southern Section individual singles quarterfinals, said she hasn’t touched a racket in three weeks. She spent the last month in Paraguay, visiting her parents.

After spending nearly two years here, Gonzalez said she’s seeing a future outside of tennis for the first time.

“I told my dad I want to go to college here and major in business,” she said. “Now that I know two languages, I think I want to be a diplomat.”

Had she stayed in Paraguay, Gonzalez said her life would be a lot easier and a lot less complex.

“I was spoiled at home,” she said. “I have everything I want there. I realize that now. Over here, nothing comes easy. You have to work hard for everything. But that is not all bad.”

Eventually though, Gonzalez said she will probably return to Paraguay.

“I think I’d go back after college,” Gonzalez said. “But if I fall in love over here, you never know.”