Missouri Valley / Oklahoma

Cookies & Championships: Luke Upthegrove’s award-winning recipe for success

Natalia Arbelaez | October 27, 2025

When you watch 15-year-old Luke Upthegrove play tennis, you might first notice his effortless forehand or consistency from the baseline. But spend a little more time with him, and you’ll quickly see there is far more beyond the racquet.

Named the 2025 Male Junior Emerging Player of the Year for both USTA Oklahoma and USTA Missouri Valley, Upthegrove is not just earning trophies—he’s building a life rooted in discipline, service and sweetness (yes, literally).

From dedicated court time and strength training to baking batches of handmade treats for his side business, Lukie’s Cookies, Upthegrove is a young man with both grit and heart. And while his tennis record speaks for itself, his humility makes him truly worthy of the spotlight. Tennis isn’t just a sport for Upthegrove—it’s a way of life.

“These awards reflect my love for tennis,” he said. “It’s a true honor to be a part of this amazing sport that teaches me so many life lessons.”

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Sweet Success

Lukie’s Cookies started as a family party idea and quickly grew into something much more.

“I find the time spent baking is a relaxing and satisfying hobby,” Upthegrove said. “I always use fresh and organic ingredients and go the extra mile—just ask my customers.”

He sells the cookies weekly at school, gives leftovers to teachers and friends, and he develops new flavors for different seasons.

“Everything is handmade: Mixing, chopping chocolate, even making my own brown sugar and toffee.”

He is also an active volunteer at his church, participating in outreach programs including food banks, homelessness support and community cleanup projects. These acts of service have shaped his values.

“I strive to have a servant’s heart,” he said. “A small donation or act of service is a huge deposit into someone’s life.”

Off-Court Effort

Upthegrove, who is from Tulsa, has been focusing on the mental side of his game, managing emotions, keeping a neutral mindset and learning to bounce back quickly after mistakes.

“Tennis is loaded with errors,” he said. “If I’m able to move on quickly and focus on the next point, it makes all the difference.”

Luke Upthegrove (right) and his twin brother, Jack, led Jenks Middle School to a tennis state championship.

He’s putting in the hours, too, on court, in the weight room and with off-court training to boost strength and agility. A recent tournament in Texas pushed his limits: 115-degree temperatures, long rallies and grueling mental demands. But Upthegrove emerged victorious, better for the experience.

“I loved this match because it offered a lot of obstacles that I tackled,” he said. “It made me feel proud of my development.”

Twins & Titles

Upthegrove’s doubles partner also happens to be his twin brother, Jack. The pair has proven to be a powerful team, combining their strengths and balancing each other’s court personalities.

“Jack is more relaxed, and I tend to be more serious,” Upthegrove said. “We meet in the middle. He loves the net and I do best at the baseline, so we’ve built our strategy around that.”

Their bond off-court makes their teamwork even stronger. They recently won a state tennis title for Jenks Middle School, and their chemistry is evident in every rally, signal and high five.

The Bigger Picture

As much as Upthegrove has accomplished already, he’s only just getting started. His goals for next year include staying consistent with training, competing in higher-level tournaments and helping his team secure another state championship. And longterm?

“I see tennis as a tool to shape my mind and body,” he said. “Daily discipline, work ethic, integrity, relationship building—these are the real rewards.”

To young players just starting out, Upthegrove offered this advice.

“Congratulations on getting started; that’s the best news,” he said. “Find a facility where you feel connected and get involved in all the ways you can. Challenge yourself to learn something new every time you play. Think of a way to improve 1% a day, and soon you’ll grow into a dynamic player having a lot of fun along the way.”

Check out the full list of 2025 USTA Oklahoma award winners here and view the complete list of ‘25 USTA Missouri Valley award recipients here.

Fast Facts with Luke Upthegrove

Favorite player: Rafael Nadal
Favorite shot: Forehand cross-court
Toughest opponent: Nick Henry
Go-to pump-up song: “Not really a fan of music before I play.”
Favorite cookie (beside his own): Pink sugar from Crumbl
If not tennis? Football
Dream tournament: Miami Open because he’s a Miami Dolphins fan

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