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Posts Tagged ‘Joseph Wedekind’

Having worked hard in the off-season, doubles specialist Joseph Wedekind is ready to launch an attack in 2015.

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.”

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Junior doubles ace John McClarin will be one of the Wolf captains this season. (John Fisken photos)

   Junior doubles ace John McClarin will be one of the Wolf captains this season. (John Fisken photos)

Jared Helmstadter lets rip.

Jared Helmstadter lets rip.

Blessed with a deep, experienced roster, Coupeville High School boys’ tennis guru Ken Stange is entering a new season with one goal — for this squad to mirror last spring’s Wolf girls’ netters and put a new banner up in the gym.

“For the varsity squad, a league title should be in order,” Stange said. “Honestly, if we fail to win the league title, it will be a disappointing season. We are very deep.

“It will be a successful season if we go undefeated in league play,” he added. “The kids at CHS love the chance to win league titles. The girls picked one up last spring. The boys are ready to hang one up for themselves!”

Leading the charge is senior Sebastian Davis, who will slide up a slot to replace the graduated Aaron Curtin as the team’s #1 singles player.

Davis went 6-0 in league play last season, then pushed Curtin, who advanced to state, hard in the postseason.

“He is the heir apparent to the league singles title,” Stange said. “He is ready to pick up where Aaron left off.”

While the second and third singles slot are up for grabs (“We will be inexperienced, but I imagine the other schools in our league will face the same dilemma. As long as our 2 and 3 can display confidence and consistency, we should be good”) the Wolves are stacked at doubles.

“I’ve never had this sort of doubles depth on the boys’ team,” said Stange, who is in his 11th season at CHS. “They are all bigger and stronger, and there has been a noticeable rise in consistent play.”

The Wolves return 10 lettermen, with Davis joined by seniors Jared Helmstadter, Connor McCormick and Loren Nelson, juniors Joseph Wedekind, John McClarin, Grey Rische and Jimmy Myers and sophomores Joey Lippo and William Nelson.

Seniors Garrett Compton and Cole Payne (making a jump from football) and sophomore Nick Etzell are expected to fight for court time, as well.

Regardless of how the various varsity slots are filled, Stange is looking for a team-wide commitment in more ways than one.

“I want my boys to work on more than sharpening their skills. I want them to be a supportive group that challenges each other,” he said. “I want competition in practice so we can carry it over to matches.

“I want my players to be happy when they lose a challenge match in practice, because I want them to understand that our team is better when we beat the stuffing out of each other in practice,” Stange added. “Last season, the girls’ team found that family feel.

“The boys have always been a together sort of bunch, but I want them to take it to the next level. I think that’s how we can win.”

Before they get to league rivals Klahowya and Port Townsend/Chimacum, the Wolves will be tested in non-conference matches by top-level programs, always a good way to sharpen skills.

“Beating South Whidbey and ATM, that will be challenging,” Stange said. “For the newcomers, learn the game and become consistent players.

“Our doubles teams, while taking quite a beating last year, will benefit from the combination of another year’s experience and attrition from the other schools,” he added. “On top of a league title and a strong showing in the league tourney, it would be a special treat if we could sneak someone (or a pair) though districts and on to state.”

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