Park boys' tennis coach Tony Townsend, now in his 16th season as head coach and 26 years in the program, likes this potential of this year’s team.
And why not, almost all of the key players …
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Park boys' tennis coach Tony Townsend, now in his 16th season as head coach and 26 years in the program, likes this potential of this year’s team.
And why not, almost all of the key players from last year’s squad return, with a year of varsity experience in their belts.
“We’re pretty experienced,” said Townsend. “We were super young last year.”
Headlining the returners for the Wolfpack are senior captains Ethan Cole and Collin Price, seniors Tyler McKeague and Zach Wood, junior Dylan Conn and sophomore Colin Winkler.
McKeague played mostly three singles last season, Wood played a lot of No. 1 doubles. Winker saw action at second and third singles a year ago.
“Dylan Conn, might, just because of all the work he’s put in in the off season, might take the No. 1 spot at singles, “said Townsend.
“Everybody in the lineup is back this year,” Townsend added. “And then we have a bunch of other guys that are kind of pushing. We have about 14 to 16 players that are kind of pushing for those 10 to 12 spots. I think the experience should be really good. We’ve had a bunch of kids work extremely hard in the off season. … So, I think we’re kind of off and running. It should be fun.”
A goal for the Wolfpack will be to finish above ,500 in the always tough Suburban East Conference.
“And I think we have a great opportunity to maybe sweep all our non-conference matches and have a pretty decent season and maybe get a pretty decent seed when section rolls around,” said Townsend. “We’re super excited. These kids are extremely coachable. A lot of great leadership. Some kids are kind of stepping up.”
Park opens the season with three straight road matches, at Harding on Tuesday, April 7, at Hastings on Wednesday, April 8 and then at Forest Lake on Thursday, April 9. The Wolfpack start home play on Saturday, April 11, with a six-team invitational, hosting East Ridge, Woodbury, Rosemount, St. Thomas Academy and Simley.
