MILL CREEK
A freshman has shaken up the Jackson boys tennis team.
Michael Chamerski, an unassuming 5-foot-7 14-year-old has vaulted to the No. 1 slot for the Timberwolves and is expected to make a strong showing in the postseason.
What makes Chamerski so good? Just about everything, according to Jackson coach David Hutt.
“His ground strokes, his basic backhand and forehand are so strong he overpowers high school players,” Hutt said. “He has a good serve. He has a good game. If you make him run, he’ll make you run. He has a great grasp of the game.”
Chamerski has yet to lose a set this season and most of them have been of the 6-1, 6-2 variety. Chamerski didn’t know what to expect coming into the high school scene. But he’s set his sights on a state title, and based on his rankings on the junior tennis recruiting Web site www.tennisrecruiting.net, Chamerski appears to be a contender.
He’s currently ranked No. 2 in Washington, No. 3 in the Northwest and No. 45 nationally.
As might be expected, Chamerski started playing tennis at an early age, so early that he doesn’t remember. His parents said he was about four or five when he caught the tennis bug.
“From what my parents told me … they went to play on the court and I got a little anxious to hit with them,” Chamerski said. “I just hit the ball and was getting it over the net.”
Chamerski started playing United State Tennis Association events when he was 8. Chamerski’s parents aren’t quite as serious as their son. They play recreationally, Chamerski said.
What drew Chamerski’s attention to the sport is the creativity involved.
“There are all these different kinds of styles of playing,” Chamerski said. “It’s just a really wide variety of a sport. It’s fast. It’s fun to play everything.”
Chamerski attributes his strength to a number of factors. He spends a lot of time on fitness training, including weight lifting and running.
“I’ve also been playing for a long time and that also developed my arm,” Chamerski said.
Chamerski currently plays at a number of different places, including the Central Park Tennis Club in Kirkland. He isn’t much for lessons or working out with a coach.
“I just play a lot of matches now instead of group lessons and that stuff,” Chamerski said, “because it just develops your game more when you play matches than just lessons.”
In Hutt’s opinion, Chamerski already is better than a couple of noteworthy predecessors — Jackson graduates Richard Oam and Mike Reading — right now.
“He’s just very polished as a tennis player,” Hutt said. “When he gets on the court, it’s hard to tell he’s 14.”
As serious as he is on the court, Chamerski is having a lot fun with the team concept in high school tennis.
“When you play in tournaments it’s more individual,” he said. “Here it’s more team.”
Chamerski’s ascension to the No. 1 slot means that junior Robin Choi is at No. 2 singles. Another freshman, Mitch Williamson, is at No. 3 and sophomore Bruno Manfredi and senior Daniel Kwong have switched off at No. 4.
“We have a ton of players that help a ton,” Hutt said. “We’ll be in the mix among the top teams.”
Jackson (5-1) finished tied with Shorewood and Edmonds-Woodway through last week.
“The new players pretty much replaced our seniors from last year,” Choi said.
“We’re still a pretty young team,” Hutt said. “That helps when you look down the line.”
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