By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON-Jaguars Senior Kole Kolinski is one State Tournament away from setting a school record.
Kolinski has been to Individual State in each of his first 3 years. Additionally, Kolinski went to Team State in 2015.
“He is obviously our go-to-guy,” said Scott Conradt, Jaguars Boys Tennis Coach. “He has played in so many big matches that nothing intimidates him anymore. He wants to leave his legacy at the school and has been playing really well in practice so far.”
A combination of new and old faces will be joining Kolinski after the Jaguars graduated (a record number) 16 seniors in 2017.
That team finished 8-1 in FRCC play and 15-4 overall. That mark included wins over powerhouses Brookfield Central, Notre Dame, and Wauwatosa West. In addition, the team sent five players to State and finished 3rd at Sectionals out of 14 teams.
One key returnee is Senior Bailey Conradt who returns for a fourth year of varsity action.
Conradt has moved up the depth chart every year.
During his initial campaign he played 4 singles.
He then played 3 singles during his sophomore season and moved into a key role (2 Singles) as an upper-classmen.
In addition to his tremendous patience and tactical play, he will provide leadership to a very young team.
Alex Steinfest (4 Singles), Grant Atwood (3 Doubles), Sam Lokken (5 Singles), and Sam Spika (6 Singles) will have to forge a bigger role as well for the Jaguars tennis team if they are to remain in the top half of the conference.
“We have to have guys that played at the 3 and 4 positions on our varsity line-up last year step into huge roles in 2018,” Conradt added. “We have a smaller team this year and depth then becomes a problem with having to put out 10 players for varsity matches.”
Help is on its way, however, with the arrival of four key freshman.
Colin Chapman, Aidan Christensen, Jacob Hanson, and Justin Heller come in as 9th graders in the classroom but have been playing on the tennis court for years.
They all have playing USTA tournaments and taking lessons since they were around 10 years old.
“We have one of the better freshman groups coming in that I’ve ever seen,” commented Conradt. “This is my 14th year coaching and it wouldn’t surprise to me to see almost 50% of our line-up this year comprised of first year players. They are that good.”
The Jaguars open their season at Bay Port on April 17.
2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguars Boys Tennis Roster (As of April 3)
Seniors- Bailey Conradt, Jack Kiser, Kole Kolinski, Matt Luebke, Sam Spika
Juniors- Sam Lokken, Alex Steinfest
Sophomores- Grant Atwood, Nick PaPacosta
Freshman- Colin Chapman, Aidan Christensen, Jacob Hanson, Justin Heller, Cole Leatherberry, Max McLean, Hunter Mellinger, Peter Steinhoff, Eli Stubb, and Alejandro Wolf
2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguars Boys Tennis Schedule (All Home Matches at Pioneer Park)
April 17 at Bay Port 4:00 p.m.
April 19 vs Green Bay Southwest 4:00 p.m.
April 21 at Portage Quad 9:00 a.m.
April 23 at Green Bay West 4:00 p.m.
April 24 at Sheboygan North 4:00 p.m.
April 26 vs Notre Dame 4:00 p.m.
April 28 at Beaver Dam Invite 8:15 a.m.
May 1 at De Pere 4:00 p.m.
May 3 vs Manitowoc Lincoln 4:00 p.m.
May 8 vs Sheboygan South 4:00 p.m.
May 10 at Pulaski 4:00 p.m.
May 12 at Manitowoc Lincoln Invite 9:00 a.m.
May 15 vs Green Bay Preble 4:00 p.m.
May 18,19 Ashwaubenon Invite 10:00 a.m.
May 21 at Wausau West WIAA SubSectionals 9:00 a.m.
May 23 at Bay Port WIAA Sectionals 9:00 a.m.
May 31, June 1, 2 at Madison WIAA State Tournament (TBD)
