-
Pictured from left front row are, James White, Keenan Dobson-Donati, Zander Birmingham, Ethan Isaacson and Jackson Strom. Back row, Coach Jim Anderson, Matthew Swenski, Elijah Oberlin, Colton Holm, Caleb Strom, Dominick Brunswick, Drew Alexa, Jackson Secord and Coach John Spellgatti.
Pictured from left front row are, James White, Keenan Dobson-Donati, Zander Birmingham, Ethan Isaacson and Jackson Strom. Back row, Coach Jim Anderson, Matthew Swenski, Elijah Oberlin, Colton Holm, Caleb Strom, Dominick Brunswick, Drew Alexa, Jackson Secord and Coach John Spellgatti. (submitted photo)
By Patrick Browne
KINGSFORD — Two years ago, when the West Iron boys tennis team went through the unanticipated loss of their longtime coach, no one could have anticipated that just two years later the team and their new coach, Jim Anderson, would be Upper Peninsula Champions. What Anderson and his longtime assistant coach John Spellgatti have accomplished in such a short period of time is truly impressive.
West Iron narrowly defeated Iron Mountain May 29, 14–13, to take top honors at the Division 2 U.P. Finals in Kingsford. The Wykons had to defeat four teams to earn the honor.
“I told our team all season that we were a definite threat to be champions,” Anderson said. “Before the final match I told our boys that today was our day. All the hard work, all the difficult drills, came down to one day.”
The inspiration Anderson instilled spilled over into the matches as the team had six flights in championship rounds and two U.P. individual champions. Zander Birmingham took home his second U.P. title in two years as he was victorious at two singles, while the No. 3 doubles team of Ethan Isaacson and Kennan Dobson-Donati also took top honors.
“Birmingham was laser focused on winning,” Anderson said.
“This is the best possible ending to an amazing season. The title has been our goal since the first day of practice. They are all champions today and I couldn’t be happier they accomplished their goal.”
Four seniors played their last matches for the Wykons. Caleb Strom, Colton Holm, Drew Alexa and Ethan Isaacson finished their senior year part of something that no one expected two years ago. Anderson was hired to keep the program going, what he and his team accomplished will be recalled for years to come.
“I am so grateful to the kids, Coach Spellgatti, the school for their help and support and definitely to the kids’ parents and people who came out to our home matches,” Anderson said. “It was a truly special season.”