After two consecutive fourth place finishes at state, the boys varsity tennis team is having a successful season once again. Junior Jacob Kanter has made him himself known as one of the team’s top players, leading the team to a 10-3 record to date.
After would-be junior Anton Spavronsky moved to California and junior Ryan Wille quit after last season, Kanter rose to the occasion to fill their vacancies. According to his teammates he has shown incredible leadership since the start of the season.
“Kanter is an incredible leader,” senior Ryan Fidell said. “He is very experienced, undoubtedly determined, and he is very focused on winning which is great to have out of a leader. He also keeps a booklet in his bag and writes down everybody’s score and a report after each match.”
So far, Kanter has persevered through an injury that has left him gimpy since the beginning of tennis season. The injury wasn’t determined until he was taken out of an April 6 match against Rockbridge, where the Colts were shut out 0-9 after he left. Kanter was diagnosed with shin splints, a common injury among athletes that is caused by repeated muscle trauma around the tibia.
“The doctors and trainers I’ve gone to believe it is because I don’t get my leg enough time to rest,” Kanter said. At the start of the season I knew that something was wrong after a couple of defeats and dropping sets to people I shouldn’t have.”
After facing Rockbridge, Kanter was given time to heal and moved down to number two on the team while junior Jack Bridge stepped up to take over the void. According to Kanter, it has been an uphill battle ever since, and will continue to be until the end of the season.
“My main competition in districts will be my teammate, Jack Bridge, who has really surprised me and really stepped up and led the team in my absence,” Kanter said.
While Kanter was injured, he continued to motivate his teammates and encourage the younger players on the team.
“During every match he’s always shouting, ’Let’s go,’ or ‘good shot,’” sophomore Ani Gururaj said. “No matter what, even if I’m losing or winning, he cheers for me and that gets me through all of my matches.”
Kanter has recently returned with a 4-1 record and looks to pace the Colts into the state tournament. Central’s three losses on the season came against defending state champion Rockbridge, Eureka, and Clayton. Rockhurst, who is undefeated and placed third at state last year, will also post a challenge for the Colts. Kanter isn’t worried about the competition though.
“I expect to defend my title as district champion,” Kanter said. “In addition I would really love to place at state individually this year because last year I was one win away from placing top six in the state, but didn’t quite make it.”
May 8, the tennis team won their districts without dropping a match, and look to place top 4 at state once again.
