As a history teacher at Clarkston High School, first year varsity tennis coach Charles Claus admitted he was big into the ‘legacy? concept. He is hoping to build on last year’s experience as he brings his JV coaching experience with him to the varsity level.
The Wolves are young this season, with Zach Banycky the only senior on the entire squad. He will serve as team captain. He is one of five returning varsity players. The others include Paul Chun, Chris Hammond, Justin Roderick and Amit Surapaneni.
The Wolves finished second in the OAA II last year, which also includes Bloomfield Hills Lahser, Rochester Adams, Troy Athens, Troy, Rochester and Berkley.
‘It’ll be a very interesting year,? Claus said. ‘We’re very young. But a lot of these kids put in a lot of time on off-season conditioning. And we’ve got some younger kids from last year’s JV team who are showing some strong leadership skills.?
Zach Spencer, Dan Osterhage and Sean Kurowski were among the athletes Claus noted as showing solid leadership, which he hopes carries over from last year’s squad.
Claus, who takes over for his former coach Kevin Ortwine, played four years of tennis for the Wolves, before graduating in 1997.
‘Kevin was a great coach for me. And me, being a history teacher, I’m big into the whole ‘leagacy? concept. Now I’m taking over for a coach who helped me. And I think me knowing a lot of these kids, either from JV last year, or through class, helps a lot. Now, there’s not a lot of that whole getting to know you phase. The kids know my expectations and I know a lot of them. I think that makes the adjustment a lot easier.?
Claus said his team, like the league, is wide open. Not many spots on his own roster are by any means locked down at this early part of the season, and he readily admits his kids are competitive and know this year they’ll have the opportunity to compete for top spots on the team. One team from last year that Claus said he expects big things from this year is the tandem of Jesse Livezey and Chris Hammond from his JV squad.
‘I’d say only a couple spots are close to being set. That’s one of the things Kevin (Ortwine) put in, which I thought was great. We have challenge matches where kids compete against each other for certain spots within the team. It helps prevent a lot of complaints from the kids and it keeps them from getting too comfortable in their spots. They know it’s wide open. It’s like band where second chair challenges first chair. It’s the same concept.?
Claus did not have a prediction on how his team will do this year, but did say he is well aware that on paper at least, a lot may not be expected of his young team.
‘I’m very intrigued to see how we’ll do due to our youth. But these guys, they might be young, but they’re extremely competitive. I really think we can make some noise in the league this year,? he said.
The Wolves next meet is April 2 at home against Rochester at 4 p.m. and Claus is looking forward to the season getting underway.
‘I just want to see them on the court. It’s one thing to see who can do drills and who is a good practice player, but I want to see them in competition, and I think a lot of these kids will really be able to compete.?