As I step onto the tennis court, I get a feeling that I never have had during any of my swim seasons. It is the feeling of “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
I spend the first game of tennis in my life getting whipped by MHS freshman Hans Hinebaugh. As I try to get the bad taste of humiliating defeat out of my mouth, a fellow tennis player mentions to me that Hans should definitely be on varsity. While that makes me feel a little more assured, I know I’m still just as green as the court when it comes to backhands and forehands.
On that note, I continue practice with a little more pep in my step, though I know that learning a sport with a steep learning curve will be not be easy.
Such is the life of a high schooler joining a team their senior year. While making varsity is definitely out of the question, I hope I can find a way to stay afloat of JV this spring. Luckily, I’m not the only senior trying out new sports this year.
Fellow MHS senior Taylor Henderson decided to join the boys’ lacrosse team this spring hoping to help them to a State championship. The lacrosse team is already senior-heavy, but Henderson is looking to give more depth to the program, and offer his offensive prowess.
“After soccer season I decided I wanted to play a new sport before I graduated,” says Henderson. “Critty and Chase Beach had been trying to get me to play and I finally decided to play. I wanted another chance at a State title, and I wanted to be a part of a brothership.”
“I hope to play great team defense. I hope to do whatever it takes for the team to win a state championship,” Henderson adds.
Senior Andy Gorman, longtime swimmer and cross country runner, is now bringing his endurance and athleticism to the track team. Gorman will run distance events for the team, so he will be a natural fit for the track program.
“After I didn’t run cross country this year, I knew I wanted to spend another season with Coach Timmers.” says Gorman. “I had finished my swim season, which I planned on focusing on, and to have fun at the end of the year.”
During track, Andy will also be ruinited with his brother, Ben, and fellow senior Brian Austin, who were all members of the swim team. “My goals are to have fun and run fast and jump high,” Gorman says.
Some seniors in the past can testify that joining a team your last year isn’t as hard as it seems, and have found great success in their new sport. Riley York, MHS graduate and current student at University of Dayton, joined the swim team his last year. At the end of the season, York was on the state 200 free relay, which placed 4th on Mariemont’s Top 10.
While I wouldn’t deem my tennis performances so far “successful,” I would say that the experience has been a welcome change from an otherwise unsurprising senior year.
