Clarkston’s boys? tennis squad is hoping to be a shoo-in for the state championship meet after falling one point shy in 2006.
Fourth-year coach Charles Claus plans to build on the team chemistry established with the core components of this year’s team, including seniors Chris Graczyk and Zachary Kerr.
‘I know all my guys and it’s going to be a fun season,? Claus said.
‘We’ve got a lot of experience and that bodes well for us.?
Graczyk and Kerr are the projected No.’s 1 and 2 flights in singles play.
‘They get a lot out of their athleticism and they both work extremely hard on their game year-round. They get everything they can out of their athletic talent,? Claus said.
With a youthful looking set of doubles teams, Clause expects past talents to be replicated.
‘Our doubles are traditionally strong,? he said.
‘We tend to have a very deep lineup and not a lot of separation between the top and the bottom.?
In addition to Clause’s guidance, the boys have girls singles state champion Nicole Janek (2005, ?06) and state placer/teammate Darryl Ann Trout managing the team with Emilia Allen.
?(They) have won state titles and that’s something the guys can look up to,? Clause said.
The Wolves defeated Waterford Kettering ‘convincingly? in a pre-season scrimmage, which Clause took as a positive sign heading into the season.
After their return from spring break, the boys travel to Troy Athens April 17. They play at Rochester April 19. Read A22 of this week’s paper for the results of the season-opener. Look for the results all season online at www.clarkstonnews.com or the print edition of The Clarkston News.