Spartan tennis struggles with two straight losses.
by Robert Lampert
The 2008 boys tennis team still has high hopes for its season, even after suffering two straight losses to Conifer and Lincoln.
The season opener here at TJ was against the Lobos of Conifer. Losing 7-0, the boys, led by new coach Joel Belmer, hit the courts hard in the following week, tightening every aspect of their game. Working hard, the boys then met with a revamped Lincoln Lancer team. Going into the final game, the match was tied after wins by Mitchell Montgomery and Robert Lampert. Unfortunately the boys fell short at a score of 3-4.
The team has a solid core of veteran leadership with seniors P.J. Sleichter, Sam Stavish and Robert Lampert. “The season is still young. Look for us to make a serious run at a top seed before regionals,” said Stavish. That is very possible at this point in the year with George Washington, Denver East and Denver South-the top three ranked teams in DPS-still on the schedule. A win over any one of those teams would ensure the Spartans a top seed in regional play.
As the boys progress towards matches against their rival schools and top ranked opponents, their spirit and work ethic only grows. “You never know what you need to work on more than after a loss,” said Stavish. The last time TJ had a boys state tennis title was 1988, meaning it’s time to end the twenty-year drought. With that being said, you can be sure the team will be working overtime to bring a state title to Thomas Jefferson.
