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Sports
Sports
By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER — On May 15 the West Iron boy’s tennis team brought home its first win of the season and handed first-year coach Jim Anderson his first career win as a varsity coach.
In a rare ‘Anderson Triple’ Jim’s victory made him the third Anderson in our area to win their first victory as a varsity coach this season. Jim joined Lindsay (boys track coach at Forest Park) and her husband Kurt (girls track coach at Forest Park) with his team’s victory.
“The guys played through some hot temperatures,” Anderson said after a grueling 5–3 win over Ishpeming. “They all played smart tennis. I am very happy with how everyone played today.”
Although the Wykon record now stands at one win and four losses, the Wykon coach is one to focus on the positive.
“The guys have been working hard and it’s starting to pay off,” he added. “They are moving well and thinking out on the courts. We have a busy week ahead and this win is a great way to start.”
The Wykons, though not always victorious, have been competitive, most recently losing an away match 3–5 to Menominee on May 8.
Tennis, a sport which consists of eight matches (one through four singles, one through four doubles), sees teams earning one point for each match, either a singles player or a doubles team wins for their school. The Wykons have played some great tennis this year but have been challenged to swing the point total to the majority and take home a victory. Perhaps the most consistent point-getters have been at third and fourth singles.
“We continue to be consistent at third and fourth singles with Drew and Zander being very tough competitors at these spots,” Anderson said.
As the season continues, the Upper Peninsula Championships grow nearer and will take place on May 31. Only time will tell whether the Wykons can garner momentum from their first win and make a run.