Some families have a gene for blonde hair, others have baldness passed down from generation to generation.
The Newmans have tennis.
Riley Newman, the latest in a long line of Newmans to play tennis at South Whidbey High School, is going to be a junior this year and he’s got one big goal in mind: defending his 2A state championship.
“Riley’s very competitive,” South Whidbey head coach Tom Kramer said. “He plays to win.”
Newman might have a leg up on the completion: a state champion gene in his blood. His sister, Lindsey, who graduated from South Whidbey last year, had a little success on the court herself. She won a record three straight 2A state titles, leaving her little brother with pretty big shoes to fill.
“Lindseys come along once in a great while,” Kramer said. “She was extremely gifted.”
Having a three-time state champion for a sister can be a little intimidating. It can also serve as great motivation.
“His sister does not let him forget what she’s done,” Kramer said. “It’s a good natured tease, a ‘you got a ways to go’ kind of thing. That was on his mind at state this year. Sis won it as a sophomore, I gotta get going.”
Riley is the fourth Newman to play for Kramer. Older sisters Jenny, Katie and Lindsey preceded him.
“I knew he was coming,” Kramer said. “He made an instant impact from day one.”
So what happens when Newman and his legendary older sister get on the courts?
“It’s a no prisoners kind of situation,” Kramer said. “A knock down, drag out, very close match. Its fun to watch … They’re supportive of each other, but don’t criticize. When they go out they just play.”
Unlike most local tennis stars, Newman doesn’t play tennis year round. He’s not a club player and doesn’t travel extensively for tournaments. In fact, he plays two other sports: baseball and basketball. His tennis coach at South Whidbey thinks that he’ll be a success in whatever sport he pursues.
“He’s a gym-ratty type of guy,” Kramer said. “He just loves sports.
“At this point and time, I would say it would be tennis, although he also loves basketball … he does a variety of things, and once he gets into something he gets in all the way.”
Kramer worried that going into the state tournament last year that there might be a “disconnect” because the tennis season is in the fall, and the tournament doesn’t come around until the end of May.
“The biggest concern was getting his form back for state,” Kramer said.
It didn’t turn out to be a problem.
“He had three good matches under his belt in the finals and ended up being successful,” Kramer said.
As a sophomore, Newman didn’t drop a set on his way to the title, and defeated district rival Will Topp 7-5, 6-3 in a two-and-a-half hour championship match.
“Him and Will Top always have one long, tough match,” Kramer said. “They both play fairly similar and they’re both very mentally tough. I don’t know if they look forward to playing each other, but that’s what they’re stuck doing.”
The Sehome junior has proved to be the one test for Newman, and could be the greatest hurdle in Newman’s quest for a repeat title. The two met in the District 1 final, where Newman again won a close match 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“They gotta play at least one match this season and then at districts,” Kramer said. “The two of them are pretty much the best in the district. So far they’re clearly one and two. They could see way too much of each other for the next couple years.”
Now that fall has rolled around, it’s once again time for Newman to focus on his tennis game, and claiming the second title.
“Once you win a title it gets really heavy in my mind,” Kramer said. “The pressure gets really big. It’s a heavy burden. We’ll see how he handles it this year.
“Lindsey had a tough time for a while handling it, I’m sure anybody would. (Riley) just turned 16 years old.”
Despite the pressure, Kramer thinks Newman definitely has the potential to achieve what his sister did the last three years.
“Since he’s been a freshman the thing that impresses me most is his willingness to change and improve his game to where he needs to go,” Kramer said. “He’s been willing to adapt his game to what it takes to win at each level … Once he gets focused he plays hard. He makes the most of the time he has on the court. He’s very intense.”
“Riley’s what I call a stand up young man,” Kramer continued. “He can be counted on. He’s responsible. He’s steady. He’s a solid young man. He’s a good guy to have around.”
“They’ve all been talented,” Kramer said of the Newman clan. “Jen was a solid player. Katie was quite good. Lindsey was exceptional and Riley could be exceptional as well.”
Kramer has faith that Newman could give his sister a run for her money, but if not the Falcons’ coach has a few more tricks up his sleeve. By tricks, he means Newmans.
There are still three more on their way to South Whidbey.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
