By Kate Hamilton, Online Editor-in-Chief
Tennis is one of the more challenging sports, as it requires a lot of mental and physical effort, power, strength and hand-eye coordination. A good player would also need endurance and focus since matches can last up to three hours. In fact, ESPN ranked tennis as the seventh-hardest sport. Sophomore James (JJ) Woerner has proven to display these skills and then some as he made it to the semifinals at states last year as a freshman.
Woerner has been playing tennis for 11 years. His parents introduced him to the sport at a young age and he has continued to work on his technique and skill sets over the years. He is now playing on the varsity boys’ tennis team and plans on continuing to play through high school and potentially at the college level.
“I don’t think I want to play (tennis) as a career, but I think I’m going to play college tennis from D-I to D-III,” Woerner said.
His sister, Grace, has also grown up playing tennis. She began playing 10 years ago and is a member of the girls’ varsity tennis team. Grace enjoys playing against her brother because he is not only a good opponent, but he also helps her become a better player.
“I love playing against him just because we get some good laughs,” Grace said. “Not only that, but since his skill level is so much higher than mine, he’s able to give me tips to grow on my fundamentals.”
JJ also benefits from playing his sister, as she allows him to practice his rallies and have a fun opponent.
Grace has watched JJ progress into a well-rounded player and knows that all the time and effort that he has put into tennis has led him to truly understand the aspects of the game.
“He’s able to keep his composure through tough matches and figure out his opponent’s weaknesses,” Grace said.
Junior teammate Christopher Young-Stone has also noticed JJ’s commitment and dedication to tennis.
“He puts in a lot more time than anybody else does and just cares a lot more than anyone else does,” Young-Stone said.
Young-Stone also believes that JJ is a great asset to the team and has made a lasting impression on his teammates. There is one tradition, in particular, that is done before the matches that Young-Stone enjoys due to JJ’s enthusiasm.
“Before some games, we get in a circle and we put our heads together and listen to “Till I Collapse” by Eminem five to six times. We move our heads up and down and JJ actually stands in the center of the circle,” Young-Stone said. “We all say the ‘mom’s spaghetti’ line out loud and it’s just a good time.”
Being part of a school team is a different aspect for JJ, as there hasn’t been a team he could join in the past. There currently isn’t a middle school team or a big tennis league on the Outer Banks for players to join.
“There has never been a tennis team,” JJ said. “There was one team a long time ago, but it feels nice to be on a team with my friends.”
With three seasons left of his high school career, JJ is ready to conquer the competition and exceed all expectations.
“My goal for the rest of high school would be to win states by myself and with my team,” JJ said.
Senior Kate Hamilton can be reached at 22hamiltonka86@daretolearn.org.
