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Sports
By Patrick Browne
The West Iron Wykons Mens Tennis team officially began its season on Tuesday, April 23 with a 5 to 3 victory over the Eskymos of Escanaba. The victory came after more than a month of practice, and demonstrated the tennis program at West Iron will once again be competitive this year.
Caleb Strom, playing at First Singles handled his opponent in two sets 6-2 and 7-5, while Matthew Swenski, playing at Four Singles, secured a win 6-3 and 6-4. Three of the four doubles teams also took home victories. Colton Holm and Drew Alexa playing at First Doubles , 6-3 and 6-3, Jackson Strom and Ethan Isaacson at Second Doubles, 6-4 and 6-0 and Keenan Dobson-Donati and Elijah Oberlin, playing at Third Doubles secured a victory in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
The narrow 5 to 3 victory was the result of more than a month of effort. Practice began for the Wykons just shortly after the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) permitted practice to begin in mid-March. Much of the work had to be done indoors, but as soon as the team could get outside they made the transition. “As soon as we could get outside, we got right to work,” stated second year Coach Jim Anderson.
Anderson, who could not possibly have been more excited after his team’s effort, reflected on the makeup of the team, which he believes is ready to be competitive this season. “Almost everyone from last season returned and we added some new players who will definitely help in key spots. We have a lot of depth thanks to some very athletic kids!”
Two of those ‘Athletic Kids’ are basketball names which made the switch to tennis for the Spring. Juniors Elijah Oberlin and Keenan Dobson-Donati, both starters this season for Basketball Coach Cade Contreras, made the decision to play tennis and are adding leadership and grit to the program. Coach Anderson, both an excellent coach and his team’s number one fan is, “Excited to see how far their hard work will take them this season.”
With their first match in the win column, matches will take place twice a week until the end of May when the Wykons hope to perform well at the Upper Peninsula Championships in Iron Mountain.