BOYS TENNIS PREVIEW: Five Players to Watch

Published 4:00 pm Monday, September 14, 2009

Michael Chamerski

Soph. | Jackson

Finished fourth in the 4A state tournament last year and was named to the All-Wesco team as a freshman. Chamerski plays year round in United States Tennis Association tournaments across the country. “He spends a lot of time at tennis,” Timberwolves head coach David Hutt said. Hutt thinks last year’s trip to state will serve Chamerski well in his sophomore campaign and hopes he can pick up where he left off. “He knows who they are,” Hutt said. “He’s gonna have to be able to prove something to beat them.” The main worry of Chamerski’s coach is that his player will tire of tennis, since he plays it so much. “My goal is that he enjoys what he’s doing,” Hutt said. “He spends so much time at it. It’s like a job.”

Scott Bohmke

Jr. | Meadowdale

Helped lead Meadowdale to the District 1 team championship in Mount Vernon and finished third in the tournament. Bohmke was the alternate to state and secured a spot on the All-Wesco team. This year he is a co-captain with Alex Casper and is looking to help the Mavericks claim a league championship and repeat as district champs. “Scott’s work ethic is incredible,” Mark Schneider, Meadowdale’s head coach, said. “He’s very focused, always putting 100 percent into his game.” Should Bohmke’s tennis career not pan out, Schneider thinks he’s got what it takes to be an excellent coach. “Scott would make a great tennis coach beyond high school if he chooses to teach tennis,” Schneider said. “He’s exceptional at the game and makes every effort to study the game of tennis. Scott has a way of bringing excitement to every practice and every match-and that’s what makes a great high school player, teammate and coach.”

Riley Newman

Jr. | South Whidbey

Won the 2A state tournament last year as a sophomore, and is seeking to tie his sister Lindsey’s record of three consecutive state titles. Unlike many other local players, Newman doesn’t play tennis year round. He also splits his time playing basketball and baseball for South Whidbey. Newman is considered by his coach to be one of the leaders of the tennis team and isn’t a loud person, but “if his racket’s doing the talking, yes he’s vocal,” Falcons’ head coach Tom Kramer said. Kramer also raves about Newman as a person. “Riley’s what I call a stand up young man,” he said. “He can be counted on. He’s responsible … He’s a good guy to have around.”

Rylan Herdt

Jr. | Lake Stevens

An All-Wesco tennis player who made it to the district tournament last year where he went up against Chamerski. Will continue as the No. 1 singles player for the Vikings this year and is looking to advance farther in postseason play. “He’s been working really hard in the offseason,” Lake Stevens head coach Ryan Ingram said. Herdt has been getting lessons and been competing in tournaments all over Washington during the summer to improve his game. “He’s definitely a team guy and a leader,” Ingram said. “He’s usually the first to get the conditioning done and cheer other guys on. He’s a very valuable leader for the team.” Now that he has a little more experience under his belt, Ingram hopes Herdt can take his game to the next level and make it to state. “I’d love to see him make state,” he said. “He’s been working hard for it … He’s a quality person who chooses to do the right things. It’s nice to have him on the team.”

Bryan Yang

Sr. | Kamiak

Last season Yang lost three matches while working his way to the All-Wesco team and a spot in the district tournament. He also “was a major part in helping us win the conference (Wesco South) championship last year,” Kamiak head coach Victor Alinen said. Yang finished a game away from going to the state tournament, a goal he hopes to achieve this season. Yang has received co-captain status, and Alinen hopes he will lead the Knights, who only lost four players, to a repeat as conference champions and then fulfill his individual dreams. “Tennis is a team sport with a lot of individuals,” Alinen said. “The first goal of the team is the district championship, and (Yang) gets that. He is all over desiring to be conference champs again … This year his heart is to go down on Memorial Day to Vancouver for that state championship. And I’m praying that he inspires all of the guys with that goal. He really has a shot at going to state.”

David Krueger, Herald Writer