Tennis teams react to closings
In the world of Bethlehem Catholic, Freedom, and Liberty boys’ tennis, the effects of the newly canceled spring sports season vary regarding second chances for next year.
Liberty has two senior singles players, David Lynn and Louis Gruber, Freedom has no seniors on its team at all, and Becahi has three senior starters, Gabe Velez, Brett Wyatt, and Eric Smith.
“I have been in touch with them. They really enjoyed the sport and were looking forward to a good year and a better year than the past couple,” said Becahi coach George Harmanos.
“I’ve been emailing them throughout, and I expressed disappointment for sure, but you have to look at the big picture and this is small in comparison to some sacrifices others have had to make. It’s a good learning experience for them and for myself.”
Liberty coach Chris Conrad had a remote conversation with his team and is planning a zoom meeting with his players.
Conrad also tweeted, “I am saddened for [seniors David Lynn and Louis Gruber] to have their senior year cut short, but I am privileged to have had the opportunity to coach them. They have accomplished what very few have been able to do in their time while wearing red and blue.”
Lynn’s record stands at 53-2 in regular and post season team play, and Gruber’s record stands at 45-7 in regular and post season team play, in addition to District 11 team championships and District 11 doubles championships for both players.
Even though the 2020 spring sports season officially ended about a month after it began, Conrad did what he always does at the end of every season: look forward to the next.
“I have to mentally move myself forward, and it wouldn’t be wise to not consider the girls and get them back to some normalcy,” Conrad said. “As the head coach of two teams, I have to create normalcy by putting together an offseason for both teams.”
Freedom coach Matt Potts feels fortunate in the sense that there will be a second chance for all his players next year.
“It’s a much easier talk for me than for coaches that have kids who have worked for four years and didn’t get to finish their careers on the court,” said Potts. “My talk is simply to keep getting better. As soon as our kids can get back on the court or in the gym, just get a little better every day and get ready for next season.”