Coshocton seniors living dream preparing for state
COSHOCTON – If the state tournament is the goal and dream of high school tennis players around Ohio, then the Coshocton tennis team’s dream has come true, three times this year.
The Redskins are preparing to send three seniors, Jim, and Sam Magness, and Cameron Wiandt, to the state tournament, Friday.
Jim and Sam have been there before, twice in Jim’s case, and have been looking forward to this weekend all year long.
For Wiandt, who is making his first trip to state, even cried a little bit when he made it, because tennis has meant so much to him.
The three of them may be happy just going to state, but they want to “make some noise,” in Columbus as well, Wiandt said.
Wiandt will start his run at state, Friday morning against Cincinnati, Indian Hill’s, Alexander Warstler.
“I know it’s the biggest tournament, but it’s kind of one of those things, where it’s been my goal this whole time to get there,” Wiandt said. “I know it’s going to be a tough run, but I would love to make some noise.”
When it comes to making noise off the court, the three are good there also, as they have taken multiple awards home.
They were awarded the Gold Racquet Award, along with fellow teammate Mitchell Milliken. The Gold Racquet Award is given to seniors who have earned at least two varsity letters and maintained at least a 3.75 GPA in six semesters.
The three were also named to the East Central Ohio League first-team, while Jim was named player of the year, and coach Kevin Kittell was named coach of the year.
Thomas Gauerke, was also named to the honorable mention, ECOL team.
“The ECOL awards were definitely a goal of ours,” Kittell said. “I don’t want to take anything away from them, I think it’s a great honor. The ECOL is important, but going to state is a dream.”
While it is a dream come true for Wiandt, this is something the Magness brothers have experienced before, as they were knocked out in the first round last year, in three sets.
“We got off to a slow start, which was just because we were a little nervous. It was our first time there playing doubles,” Jim said.
But while Jim, and Sam, were disappointed to be leaving Columbus after the first match, they did win one set, and learned from that experience, Sam said.
“It shows that if we play good we can compete with anyone there. We know we are right there with some of these guys,” Sam said.
Jim is using that feeling as motivation this year.
“I’d like to win a couple matches, but we just have to out go there and play hard, give it our all and what happens, happens,” he said.
Jim and Sam will start against, Matt Youse, and Tommy Barkett, from Lexington high school.
After the three seniors qualified at districts, Coach Kittell has taken the time to talk to them about what an honor it is to be competing at the state tournament.
“I wanted to reiterate that they are in an elite group of kids, from an entire state. A very select few made it to that point,” Kittell said. “You don’t worry about what the jersey on the other guy says, where they come from, or what their record is, because it doesn’t mean anything when you walk on the court that day, because now, it’s a battle between you and me.”
cteaguerob@gannett.com
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Twitter: @cj_teague