Weiss Guys : Nick on Rise, Brother Jason Back on Track

Jason Weiss, the friendly assassin, went about his business in good-natured fashion.

After his first-round bye, Pierce College’s No. 1 singles player humbled Mixael Padilla of L.A. Trade Tech, 6-0, 6-1, in the second round of the community college championships at the Ojai Valley Tournament Thursday at Ventura College.

Between points, Weiss talked to spectators. Between games, he stroked his five-year-old husky, Sasha, and made sure she had enough water.

It was the old Jason Weiss--fierce competitor on the court, social butterfly one step off of it.

“Is it good to be back? Oh yeah,” he said.

Four years ago, Weiss injured his back in a car accident. It took three years to heal, and during that time he developed a reputation of a rebellious teen who could usually be found at a party.

Weiss has begun to write a new chapter. Ranked No. 6 in the state, the sophomore has a 34-3 record.

But today he is only the second-best player in his family.

His brother Nick, 15, posted a 30-0 record and was No. 1 in Southern California last year in the 14-and-under division in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Playing for Calabasas High, Nick claimed two victories in the boys’ interscholastic division at Ojai on Thursday--6-1, 6-2 over Tim Marsh of Peninsula and 6-2, 6-4 over Ryan Jeffcoat of Poway.

Jason is in Nick’s shadow but Nick carried Jason’s torch the past three years.

“It really hurt me when he quit,” Nick said. “He was a great player. He had so much talent. I always wanted to play like him and be like him.”

Nick has never concealed the love he has for Jason, his only sibling.

The two developed a strong bond during the summer of 1989, when Jason was nearly killed in a baseball game.

Pitching for a team in Tarzana Little League, Jason was struck in the head by a line drive. He suffered multiple fractures and spent six days in intensive care.

That signaled the end of baseball and the beginning of serious tennis.

At ages 14 and 16, he reached the top five in Southern California and was one of the region’s most popular players.

“Junior was so easy,” he said. “I was practicing one hour a day and beating guys who practiced five hours.”

As a freshman at Taft High, he lost to Rafael Huerta of Chatsworth in the championship match of the City Section tournament. Soon, college recruiting letters were showing up in his mailbox.

Even after the accident, Wisconsin was willing to take a chance on Weiss, who accepted a scholarship in 1995.

Although he did well academically, tennis was lost in the mix of his extracurricular activities. He dropped from No. 2 to 5 on the singles ladder. But by winter he was longing for home. He withdrew after his freshman year and decided to enroll at Pierce.

“There were definitely some occasions,” he said. “But the stories have gotten a little out of hand.”

As he sat in the grandstand watching Pacific 10 Conference singles play, Weiss was confident that he will return to Division I next year and he vowed not to squander another opportunity.

“I can hang with these guys out here,” he said. “I’m going to work my tail off. But I’m also going to have a good time.”

Jason’s mother, Jerry Weiss, says he has learned his limitations while she has been in recovery for alcoholism the past nine years.

Said Jerry: “If Jason has a beer or two, he has a real good idea where it could lead.”

Jerry Weiss, an attorney, has not merely passed on wisdom. She was also a world three-meter diving champion in 1973 and a two-time Olympian. Jason appears to have her athletic talent and competitiveness as well.

Add commitment.

“He’s always doing sit-ups and push-ups now,” Nick said. “He lost that edge, but he’s getting it back. What he needs now is better competition.”