Congratulations to the varsity boys tennis team which won the 2011-2012 Class A state championship!
The WolfPack (15-0 in regular season play) began their day in a mid-morning semifinals match against Calvary Day School from Savannah, Georgia. In just 45 minutes, the Pack handily beat Calvary. The number one singles player Kyle Childree (12th), the number two singles player Matt McGill (12th), and the number two doubles team of Tommy Keough (12th) and Bennett Shilling (10th) each won their matches in two sets. Meanwhile Robby Keough (9th), the number three singles player, won his first set as did the number one doubles team of Cole Enright (12th) and Matthew Landry (10th). These players were on their way to victory when the match was called with a WolfPack win of 3-0.
Word spread that the team had won the semi-finals and Whitefield parents, students, and administrators raced to join the WolfPack fans already at the venue, Clayton County International Park in Jonesboro. While waiting for the finals, the team watched Brookstone beat Athens Academy in their semi-final round and prepared to take on Brookstone in the ultimate match.
The WolfPack moved to the final round of state determined to secure the championship. Finals began around 2:30 p.m. and the competition was fierce. Matt McGill won his first set and headed into his second set. Kyle won two sets 6-1, 6-3 over Brookstone's Kazuki Onoe who fought back during the end of the match but was eventually overtaken by Kyle. Tommy and Bennett also took down Brookstone 6-3, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Robby, who played valiantly, lost both his first and second set. He was on the court less than 24 hours after winning second place in the 1600-meter state track and field championship.
Cole and Matthew won their first set 6-2, but lost the second set 3-6. Then the championship moved rapidly as fans split up to watch Matt's second set, a grueling competition, and Cole and Matthew's third set. Neither Matt or the doubles team realized they were playing for the championship. While fans watched both matches, a loud cheer suddenly erupted from the Cole and Matthew's doubles match. With Cole serving, the two fended off a couple of deuces before winning on a serve to the backhand side that set up a winning volley by Matthew.
With a victory for Cole and Matthew, the state championship was secured! All other play ended and Whitefield fans celebrated with cheers and applause!
Congratulations to the entire team, including Walker Wood (10th) who also competed during the regular season, and David Lemasters (10th), Stephen Bracher (10th), and Justin Samples (9th) for their continued efforts and team support. We will be counting on them even more next year. Last, a very special recognition to our seniors Kyle, Matt, Cole, and Tommy who were essential in delivering Whitefield both the regional and state title this year.
The WolfPack (15-0 in regular season play) began their day in a mid-morning semifinals match against Calvary Day School from Savannah, Georgia. In just 45 minutes, the Pack handily beat Calvary. The number one singles player Kyle Childree (12th), the number two singles player Matt McGill (12th), and the number two doubles team of Tommy Keough (12th) and Bennett Shilling (10th) each won their matches in two sets. Meanwhile Robby Keough (9th), the number three singles player, won his first set as did the number one doubles team of Cole Enright (12th) and Matthew Landry (10th). These players were on their way to victory when the match was called with a WolfPack win of 3-0.
Word spread that the team had won the semi-finals and Whitefield parents, students, and administrators raced to join the WolfPack fans already at the venue, Clayton County International Park in Jonesboro. While waiting for the finals, the team watched Brookstone beat Athens Academy in their semi-final round and prepared to take on Brookstone in the ultimate match.
The WolfPack moved to the final round of state determined to secure the championship. Finals began around 2:30 p.m. and the competition was fierce. Matt McGill won his first set and headed into his second set. Kyle won two sets 6-1, 6-3 over Brookstone's Kazuki Onoe who fought back during the end of the match but was eventually overtaken by Kyle. Tommy and Bennett also took down Brookstone 6-3, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Robby, who played valiantly, lost both his first and second set. He was on the court less than 24 hours after winning second place in the 1600-meter state track and field championship.
Cole and Matthew won their first set 6-2, but lost the second set 3-6. Then the championship moved rapidly as fans split up to watch Matt's second set, a grueling competition, and Cole and Matthew's third set. Neither Matt or the doubles team realized they were playing for the championship. While fans watched both matches, a loud cheer suddenly erupted from the Cole and Matthew's doubles match. With Cole serving, the two fended off a couple of deuces before winning on a serve to the backhand side that set up a winning volley by Matthew.
With a victory for Cole and Matthew, the state championship was secured! All other play ended and Whitefield fans celebrated with cheers and applause!
Congratulations to the entire team, including Walker Wood (10th) who also competed during the regular season, and David Lemasters (10th), Stephen Bracher (10th), and Justin Samples (9th) for their continued efforts and team support. We will be counting on them even more next year. Last, a very special recognition to our seniors Kyle, Matt, Cole, and Tommy who were essential in delivering Whitefield both the regional and state title this year.