Boys Tennis: Wabash River Conference Preview

By Eric Eaton
HoosierAuthority.com

In 2007 head coach Chris Webb’s Fountain Central Mustangs enjoyed a banner season on the tennis courts, posting a 13-4 record and claiming the Wabash River Conference championship.

Things might not change much either in 2008, as Webb welcomes back five of seven varsity players who competed on last year’s conference championship team.

Fountain Central’s goals though might be a bit loftier than just a conference title this season.

You see the Mustangs nearly won a sectional title last year, falling to Benton Central 3-2 in the championship match of their own sectional. Therefore, one can surmise that this year’s squad undoubtedly has its sights set on winning some post-season hardware.

If Fountain Central is unable to defend is conference this season, the most likely candidate to take it away from them would seem to be Attica.

The Red Ramblers, which finished last season at 7-7, also have a veteran team returning. In fact, Attica’s seven member team is comprised of seven juniors, six of whom started last season.

Rockville might also be a team that could contend for a top 3 position in the final conference standings, as it returns all three of its singles players from a year ago.

The 2008 conference title will once again be determined by a double round-robin regular season format in which all six school that participate in the sport play each other twice, home and away.

The individual conference crowns though will be determined at the league’s conference tournament which is scheduled for October 3rd and 4th at Fountain Central High School.

Here’s a capsule team preview of all six WRC schools that participate in boys tennis

Attica
Coach: Jim Persinger
2007 Record: 7-7
2007 State Tournament: lost to Benton Central 5-0 in the semifinals of the Fountain Central Sectional
Top Players:
Dylan Hilton-JR (All-Conference at #1 singles last season)
Shawn Allen-JR
Nick Johnson-JR
Derek Crane-JR

Covington
Coach: Terry Field
2007 Record: Unknown
2007 State Tournament: lost to Benton Central 4-1 in the opening round of the Fountain Central Sectional

Fountain Central
Coach: Chris Webb
2007 Record: 13-4 (Wabash River Conference champion)
2007 State Tournament: lost to Benton Central 3-2 in the championship match of the Fountain Central Sectional
Top Players:
Bryce McTaggert-SR (All-Conference at #1 singles last season)
Philip Koonce-SR (All-Conference at #2 singles last season)
Landon Davenport-SR
Blake Nickle-SR
Adam Walters-SR
2008 Outlook: “We had a lot of success from last year’s group. We still have to play it out, but I’d say we’d be the favorite in the conference again this year.” – Fountain Central coach Chris Webb

Rockville
Coach: Doug Rowe
2007 Record: Unknown
2007 State Tournament: lost to North Montgomery 5-0 in the semifinals of the Crawfordsville Sectional
Top Players:
Barrett Jackson-SR (All-Conference at #1 singles last season)

Seeger
Coach: John Wilson
2007 Record: Unknown
2007 State Tournament: lost to Fountain Central 4-1 in the semifinals of the Fountain Central Sectional
Top Players:
Ryan Synesael-SR

Turkey Run
Coach: Zach Jones
2007 Record: Unknown
2007 State Tournament: lost to Crawfordsville 5-0 in the round of the Crawfordsville Sectional

'Let' us know what you think! Share your thoughts on our Boys Tennis message board.