Owen Wahl, a three year varsity player, is a senior captain on the boys tennis team this year, and is one of the nine seniors on the team. As a captain this year, he is stepping into a new role as he now is taking more responsibility to lead the team to success. He has set up some goals for himself, as well as for the team.
“Our team goal is to get the trophy at state,” Wahl said. “A personal goal for me is to get better with the team.”
As a leader, a strategy is needed to be able to lead the team to be the best that they can be, and Wahl has decided how he will lead the team throughout the season.
“[To help lead the team to state] I will lead by example,” Wahl said.
It is visible to people around him that he wants to lead the team as best he can, especially the tennis coach. Coach Bart Jeseritz shares just how much Wahl cares for the team and how much he wants them to win.
“Owen is a team guy. No matter what, he always wants what is best for the team. He strives to be the best player he can to help the team,” Jeseritz said.
Though this is Wahl’s first year as a captain, Jeseritz believes that he will do his best to be a great team captain.
“He strives to be the best leader for the team. He works as hard as anyone and leads from the front in the effort he gives,” Jeseritz said.
Though Wahl can only do so much to help and lead his team, each team member has to be held accountable for a few things to do themsevels to help them improve . Wahl shares what he expects from his teammates.
“[I expect them to] show up and put in the work,” Wahl said.
As this is his last year at Westside and his last time being on the tennis team, he is really excited just to be playing with the guys and having fun.
“I’m most excited for state, along with the team bonding we do,” Wahl said.
When Jeseritz reflects back to Wahl’s freshman year, and compares it to this year, Jeseritz can see how much Wahl has improved as a player.
“Owen has improved in every aspect of the game. He is a smarter, more patient player, and his tennis game is incredibly well rounded,” Jeseritz said.
In Wahl’s opinion, comparing this year to last, he explains the changes in how he approaches the game, focusing on his change in his mindset.
“My mindset this year is different in that my mental game has matured,” Wahl said.
For Wahl, he got into tennis because of one person. He explains how just one coach can affect someone’s love for the game and how they can cause you to continue playing.
“He made it fun and enjoyable while making me work hard,” Wahl said. “He’s just an overall great guy.”
This year, for Wahl’s return, Jeseritz is expecting big things from Wahl and is hopeful that he can accomplish everything he set out to do on a personal level and on a team level.
“I expect big things from Owen. I know he and this team have big goals that they are pushing to achieve. I hope they accomplish everything they’ve set out to do,” Jeseritz said.
