Cascade’s Chung in a family full of love

Patrick Chung enjoys following in his family’s footsteps.

The Cascade junior is preparing for the upcoming high school tennis season, after reaching the state tournament as a sophomore.

His secret weapon? Playing against his father.

Chung squares off against his father, who plays tennis recreationally, for practice. He doesn’t always win, but he believes he always learns something.

“It’s pretty even. He’s better at strategy than me,” Chung said. “He gets the crucial points so he wins most of the matches, but every once in a while I slip one in.”

He occasionally plays against another family member, his older brother Chris, as well. Patrick began playing tennis at the age of 11, when Chris decided to try out for the Bruins’ team as a sophomore.

Now it’s Patrick’s turn to shine, and Chung is excited to get back on the court.

“There’s just so many things to love about tennis,” Chung said. “Going out there, the exercise is great. And the competitiveness, that’s probably one of the things I love the most.”

All the practice has made Chung the No. 1 singles player for Cascade in his first two seasons, a title he will carry into his third year. Last season Chung went 12-4 while making his way to the 4A state tournament.

He was rewarded with a first round match against Mitch Stewart of Federal Way, who defeated Chung 6-1, 6-0 — his first victory on his way to a state championship.

“It was a great experience,” Chung said of the state tournament. “Of course there were a lot of great players there, like Mitch Stewart, who I had to face in the first round. It was a lot of fun, just seeing all the great tennis and learning how they play.”

Chung rebounded from his first round defeat with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Gig Harbor’s Ryan Anderson, before being eliminated from the tournament with a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Stanwood Spartan Gergo Muller.

“He definitely had an excited energy,” said Cascade head coach Ashley Layton. “He didn’t really know what to expect because he hadn’t been there before. He performed really well. He rose to the challenge I think.”

The Bruin believes seeing the elite competition in the state has prepared him to make another run at the tournament as a junior. His coach agrees.

“We want to build on what we did last year,” Layton said. “Just keep on improving. That’s our goal.”

Layton, who is entering her sixth year as the Cascade coach, said the two weren’t necessarily expecting Chung to get to the state tournament, but she also wasn’t completely surprised that he made it there.

“It was something that we had been working towards the whole year. We thought that he had a chance to go, but we weren’t expecting it to happen,” Layton said.

Chung said that getting a taste of the state tournament provided a drive and desire to return to the postseason.

“I want to go back and do a lot better,” Chung said, adding that he’d like a top-5 finish. “And now I know how good the competition is over there.”

Layton enjoys having Chung, a team co-captain, on the Bruins. She said that not only does he work hard every day to improve his own tennis game, he also works with other members of the Cascade team to make sure they’re improving too.

“It’s so much fun to work with Patrick,” Layton said. “He listens and helps his teammates. It’s a coach’s dream to have a player so invested in improving his own skills and the skills of his teammates.”

Chung would love to play sports beyond high school, but he can’t decide between tennis and baseball, which his older brother Chris also played at Oak Harbor.

One thing he has decided is his dream school: the University of Washington, where his brother Chris currently goes.

He’s not entirely positive what he might study there, but he has an idea. Much like tennis, a particular occupation is prevalent in the Chung family.

“I’m not really sure at the moment, but one idea I possibly have is business,” Chung said. “My dad was actually a business major and my brother is a business major. So that runs in the family as well.”

Chung has set a few goals for his junior season which, unsurprisingly, involves a return to the state tournament. However, he also hopes that his Bruins teammates have strong seasons as well.

“I’m feeling pretty good. The team has a lot of potential. I guess it all depends on how well we execute,” Chung said. “…Individually, I guess make it back to state is the main goal. As a team, finish first in the standings, of course.”

With Chung leading the way, Layton hopes that result is exactly what happens.

“I’m excited for the season,” Layton said. “I think that Cascade has a very strong group of guys this year. I’m looking forward to a very fun, successful year.”

And Chung’s said that if he is fortunate enough to get back to state, he’ll be much better off and significantly less nervous than he was in 2012. (The state tournament is in May, six months after the end of the regular season).

“Coming in as a sophomore I didn’t really know what to expect,” Chung said. “This coming year if I make it back I’ll be a lot more prepared.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh (29) of the Seattle Mariners bats during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Monday, June 30, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Cal Raleigh named AL Player of the Week

Major League Baseball announced today that catcher Cal Raleigh has… Continue reading

Moore: Ranking the all-time best Seattle sports radio shows

Sports radio shows in Seattle started in the 1970’s, typically at night,… Continue reading

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Storm three games over .500 near the halfway point

Star forward Nneka Ogwumike was voted an All-Star starter Monday.

Seattle Storm's Sue Bird waves to the crowd after receiving a bouquet of flowers because she is playing in her last WNBA All-Star Game at Wintrust Arena on July 10, 2022. (Stacey Wescott / Tribune News Services)
Seattle Storm to unveil Sue Bird statue honoringWNBA legend

The Seattle Storm announced on Wednesday that the franchise will honor the… Continue reading

Everett AquaSox infielder Colt Emerson gets a high-five from teammate Lazaro Montes after scoring during the game against the Tri-City Dust Devils on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vote for the Frog of the Week

Who is the Frog of the Week? Vote for the Everett AquaSox… Continue reading

Lake Stevens’ Haddyjatou Ceesay, left, embraces Brianna Tilgham after coming in second in the 4A girls 400 relay final on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wesco all-league girls track & field teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys track. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

The Kansas City Royals' Vinnie Pasquantino (9) safely slides home to score on Salvador Perez's double during the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Another rocky start by M’s Hancock leads to Royals win

The Kansas City Royals entered July with a clean slate.… Continue reading

AquaSox pitcher Taylor Dollard winds up for a pitch in Everett's 9-4 loss to the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on June 25, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
Elke spurs AquaSox to series-opening win over Vancouver

Still regrouping from some of their best offensive players moving… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas fist bumps a camper at the third annual League Advantage Youth Football Camp at Lucas' alma mater, Archbishop Murphy High School, on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Seahawks’ Abraham Lucas hosts football camp at alma mater

The Archbishop Murphy alum hosts around 125 local kids for a free day of football activities.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.