OREM, UT – Exchanging his tennis racket for a pickleball paddle, recent Menlo graduate Bruno Barrueto-Deza has embraced a professional path within the fastest-growing sport in the country over the past four years.

"Being a student-athlete at Menlo college was an unforgettable experience," said Barrueto-Deza. "Competing alongside my teammates created some of my favorite memories and helped me appreciate different cultures while building lifelong friendships. Balancing academics and athletics taught me discipline, time management, and how to stay focused - all of which have carried over into my pro pickleball career."

Paddle Pro
Barrueto-Deza devoted himself to training and preparation for the pro circuit following his graduation this past May and now carries a 5.5 Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating as a featured athlete sponsored by Komodo Pickleball. A multi-time gold medalist with the Professional Pickleball Association and Association of Pickleball Players, the native of Lima, Peru added to his collection with a first-place result in Colorado this past May and now looks ahead to tournaments in California (Fairfield & Suisun Valley PPA Challenger presented by Caymus-Suisun Winery) and Las Vegas (Walgreens Open at the Las Vegas Strip) over the final two weeks of August.

"Bruno was a tremendous guy to have on our team," said Director of Tennis Ben Cabell. "He had a great attitude and work ethic, brought a ton of energy to the team, and just added a lot to our program."

Menlo Memories
Barrueto-Deza's Menlo career featured two particularly special moments on Feb. 14, 2025 as the Oaks hosted Jessup for Senior Day. He first joined teammate Ian Ramiro Perez in helping the team secure the doubles point with a 6-2 victory then, in singles action, Barrueto-Deza found himself back on the court in the last match of the afternoon. Battling back after each side captured one of the first two sets, he closed out the 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4) triumph in dramatic fashion, hitting the Oaks' final ball of the inaugural NCAA Division II season.

"Watching him win his Senior Day match was one of the best memories I have in 20 years of coaching," said Coach Cabell. "We're very proud of what he has accomplished."