Spring sports are underway and tennis is a popular choice for students this year. The coaches are working hard with their players to prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead. With some talented players returning and some promising newcomers, expectations are high for a successful season.
Coach James Heyen of South Salem High School’s tennis team is optimistic about the upcoming season.
“We have several athletes who are well positioned for a good season this year. Our top two players, Adam Son and Noah Leichty, have real potential to be dominant in singles. Several other players look very promising in doubles, as well: Lucas Westfall, Simon Obery, Josiah Smith, and our two exchange students Linus Strange and Tidemann Teigre” Heyen said.
When asked about his goals for the season Heyen said “I have the same goals for my team as I do every season – to see them mature as both players and young men. We have a larger team this year than in past years – 32 so far – and I’m also eager to see them gel into a real community,” Heyen said.
Coach Heyen believes that the team’s success this year will depend on the student athletes more than the coach himself.
“Coaches can provide a measure of technical know-how, certainly, but it’s ultimately up to the student-athletes to perform,” Heyen said.
“I don’t aspire to push my team – at least not in the classic sense. I prefer to inspire them to live up to their potential.”
Lucas Westfall,25′ one of the South tennis captains, said. “Last season I did a really good job of playing well despite starting from a deficit.”
Being a varsity player and a team captain, Westfall practices quite a bit. “It depends on the time of the year but I tend to practice 5-6 days a week and around 2-3 hours each day,” Westfall said.
“Last season was a lot of fun. We had a really great bunch of guys who gelled together as a team. Obviously, Chris Bedard sweeping the GVC season and singles title was the best individual performance. The only thing I would really change would have been the very uncooperative weather scattered throughout the season – that was so bad it was comical sometimes,” Heyen said.
