Coming off a district championship last season, the Jackson boys tennis team has plans of repeating its success this year.

The Timberwolves finished the 2006-07 season with a 14-2 record and share of the Western Conference Southern Division title. With a team led by high-level experienced players and hungry and talented underclassmen, expectations are high for this year’s squad.

“I think things are going pretty well leading up to the season starting,” head coach David Hutt said. “I am pretty sure that we’ll do extremely well this year.”

Much of Hutt’s confidence comes from the fact that his team features a very strong group of players in the top four singles positions, and a balanced quality doubles lineup.

Senior Richard Oam, sophomore Robin Choi, senior Julio Rojas, and senior Brian Bae are expected to be one of the major strengths of the team as the top four singles players.

“I look for our top four players to really stand out,” Hutt said.

At the top of that list of standout players sits Oam. As not only the top player on the team, but one of the top players in the league, he will be expected to perform at a high level all year.

“He should be the best in the league this season,” Hutt said.

Last season, Oam proved to be one of the strongest players in the league. He took first in both the Wesco 4A and Northwest District singles tournaments. At the 2007 4A state tournament, Oam placed sixth in a very talented field of high-level players from throughout the state.

“When you get to state it becomes really hard,” Hutt said. “There are a lot of year-round and club players there. So sixth place is quite an accomplishment.”

This season, Oam will be looked upon to match, if not surpass last year’s outstanding achievements.

“He could maybe have an undefeated season in our league,” Hutt said. “In my opinion he has that chance.”

With Oam leading the strong core of singles players, it will also be up to the doubles lineup and the younger players on the roster to ensure that the team will have a successful season.

Junior Daniel Kwong and senior Danny Oh have the No. 1 doubles spot on the team, with a number of sophomores looking to make their way into the varsity lineup.

Kevin Taylor, Rodric Pence, Wesley Jacobson, Kevin Law, David Kim, and Chris Chu are all battling to see who will make their way into starting varsity positions.

“These six tenth-graders are attempting to make a statement this season,” Hutt said. “I think with our top players and if our sophomores play well, we should be one of the best teams in the league.”

The Timberwolves will not be without competition though. Edmonds-Woodway, Kamiak, and Shorewood all have strong teams that look to challenge in the division.

“Edmonds-Woodway has a lot of club players and are always tough,” Hutt said. “Kamiak has a lot of seniors and are pretty darn good as well.”

The Timberwolves will find out right where they stand in one part of their schedule. In a stretch of three straight matches they play Kamiak, Shorewood, and Edmonds-Woodway.

“After those three matches we will find out where we are at,” Hutt said. “I would like to think we are able to compete with anyone.”

With quality experience at the top, and young talent eager to break through and show what they are capable of, Jackson tennis could be in for a big year.

“We have the established players we can count on,” Hutt said. “The younger players have a chance to be really good and we’ll see how much they really want it. If they do we have a chance to have a special season.”