Neither snow nor sleet nor court melting temperatures can stop Wildcat tennis
Wildcat tennis has heated up right along with the spring temperature surge, pushing their dual record to 11-3 while competing all over the state against some serious competition. Recently they played in Sun Prairie, Wausau, and Milwaukee.
"We had a pretty solid weekend in Milwaukee," senior Patrick Gannon said. "I think we showed that we can really compete when we're playing our best."
Gannon grew up around the sport and hasn't put his racket down since. The early skills he noticed helped him stick with it to see where he would go.
"My grandpa has always been a big tennis player, and we started playing in the summer when I was younger," he said. "Then I did some camps and realized I was decent for a middle schooler, so I decided to keep playing."
Tennis is different from typical sports because there aren't really any set plays or tactics. Instead, the sport is reactionary, moving based on where the opponent hits, requiring a blend of quick thinking and elevated motor skills.
"My favorite part about the sport is the creativity," Gannon said. "You can hit the ball wherever you want based on your opponent's position."
For many others, tennis is a fun sport to get involved with during the offseason.
"My junior year I decided I would give tennis a try," senior Micheal Stack said. "It's a big difference from football and basketball. There is a lot less pressure."
Stack competed on the junior varsity team last year. He is also a four year letter winning varsity kicker for football and a competitor on the basketball court. For him, tennis offers a more relaxed environment and a way to hang out with friends.
"Tennis gives me an opportunity to be outside and be active," he said. "The camaraderie with the team is always so much fun."
Stack has only been playing for a year, but he has learned a lot since he first started. He now competes on varsity exhibition.
"I think I've improved a lot," he said. "I enjoy practicing and competing at matches."
The team's improvement makes coaches and players happy. Improvement doesn't come easy; as players have to work for it in practice.
"The greatest part about coaching is seeing players grow," Coach Kyle Curtis said. "It is a great feeling when you see your players put in the hard work every day at practice and then see it pay off with wins."
The tennis team is winning, but it hasn't been easy. Cancellations and rescheduling have been a constant problem, but it has never seemed to get in the way of the boys winning streak. On top of keeping the streak, Coach Curtis also hopes to place at least second in the conference.
"My goals are to finish in the top two of our conference and sectional," he said. "From an individual standpoint, it is to qualify as many players as possible to the individual state tournament."
Individual state will be held in Stevens Point this year and offers an experience like no other as individual players will get to play the best of the best.
"Tennis has allowed me to meet so many new people," freshman Yosef Edsell said. "The season is going great and it has been really fun."
Edsell competes on varsity as a single player. His hopes for the seasons are high and is grateful for the opportunity to compete on varsity at a young age. Edsell is not the only one thankful for tennis; many others are grateful for tennis and the opportunities it has given them.
Gannon has reaped many benefits from representing the Wildcats on the tennis court.
"Tennis has helped me shape friendships and competitiveness," Gannon said. "I probably would be a different person if I didn't play tennis. For me, it's an escape from the 'real world.'"
By Sophie Carlin
Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 8
May 23rd, 2022