Coupeville Sports

Wolf junior Joseph Wedekind launches a serve during practice. (John Fisken photo)

Joseph Wedekind loves being on the tennis court.

“There are many things about tennis I enjoy,” he said. “There are constantly new things to be learned, new play styles, new-found power.

“Tennis is never a boring sport to me; it can keep me occupied for hours and it has,” Wedekind added. “I also enjoy the bond you get with your team. Although we are all playing many different games we are there for each other.”

The Coupeville High School junior has been playing year-round with doubles partner John McClarin and the duo head into a new season tabbed as the Wolf squad’s top tandem.

Following in the bold footsteps of CHS coach Ken Stange, Wedekind is charging into the season with his aim set high.

“My goal for this season is to make it to state with John,” he said. “We have had good times and bad as far as scores go, but this year I feel we can make it to state.”

While he’s taken huge strides since first picking up the sport as a freshman (“I joined because I have always had a love of racket sports and finally I had the opportunity to play more then just in PE”), Wedekind is still putting in the work to fine-tune his game.

“I’d say I’m strongest at the net, but I’m fairly comfortable all around,” he said. “Areas I’d like to work on? All of them. Always something that can improve.”

Away from the court, the whip-smart Wolf participates in Science Olympiad, jazz band and pep band and is a big fan of his science and technology classes.

He intends to get a college degree in computer science.

In everything he does, Wedekind has been aided by those close to him, a fact he happily acknowledges.

“Not just one person has made me the person I am today,” he said. “Every one I meet, all my friends and family have rubbed off on me in their own way and together that has made me who I am.

“My friends, my family, my teachers, I can’t narrow it down to one person.”