Prospect weathers one last day of tough tourney conditions
The girls tennis state tournament was largely put on hiatus Thursday as rain saturated courts just enough to halt play. The consolation bracket was canceled for the remainder of the tournament and only some first-round matches were completed.
Former runner-up and prior four-year state champion Hinsdale Central is tied with Stevenson at 8 points for first place. Batavia, Deerfield, Homewood Flossmoor, Highland Park, Mundelein, New Trier and defending state champ Lake Forest are in a deadlock for third with 6 points.
None of that should dampen Prospect High School’s achievement, as the tournament host is celebrating the 40th version of the state tourney, a real groundbreaker for high school girls sports.
Prospect has hosted the contest for 34 of the 40 years.
Integral in the organizational process is assistant tournament manager Jean Walker, who has been a strong voice through the state tournament’s course.
“We’ve seen some super players over the years,” Walker said after the committee unanimously decided to cancel play for the remainder of Thursday. “We’ve seen a lot of really exciting matches — and change. Computers and email made the tournament run entirely different.
“The kids are much more advanced with their skills now. The tournament started at 32 per bracket and now we’re at 128.”
The tournament began at Arlington High School, which closed its doors in 1984. Walker worked alongside former tournament manager Mary Lou Hundt from 1972-77 at Arlington until the tournament was moved to Prospect in 1978.
Since moving the tournament to Prospect, Walker has shared duties with current tournament manager Jean Rezny and former 11-year Prospect tennis coach Karie McClure.
Walker ran the tournament for 22 years before retiring as Prospect girls athletic director in 2000. Rezny was handed the baton as the Prospect girls athletic director 12 years ago.
“Every tournament is different,” Rezny said. “There is a special meaning in each one. I’ve enjoyed each and every tournament. It’s going to be different for us, because we’ve done this for so long.”
As Prospect hosts its their final year, the committee is enjoying the Knights tennis team’s success. Prospect sent two teams through to the state tournament: senior singles player Maggie Partridge, who competes in her second straight state bid, and the doubles team of senior Tracy Becherer/junior Katie Best.
Partridge split sets with Glenbard South junior Mariasole Rinciari 6-1, 2-6, and will decide the third set today. Becherer/Best bowed out after faltering 6-1, 6-0 to 17-32 seed Highland Park junior doubles team Sarah Raab/Rachel Goldberg.
“(Walker, Rezny and McClure) have been awesome with hosting the tournament,” Partridge said. “They’re really proud and happy I made it to state. It’s nice to have Prospect in it for the last year we’re hosting it.”
Tournament Central for the tournament will move a couple miles north, to Buffalo Grove High School, in 2012. Walker and company never forget all the help they’ve received to make the tourney happen.
“It’s always exciting to see someone from Prospect make it in,” Walker said. “We went years without a qualifier, and it is certainly nice that we have two teams this year.”
“We have a good tournament team, and that includes the seeding committee and other similar groups. Those people for many years helped it run smoothly. It’s going to be different for us next season because we’ve had it for so long. It was nice seeing the advancement of the sport. We’ll see what (Buffalo Grove coach Kevin Schrammel) needs from us next year.”
Area players that advanced were Buffalo Grove junior doubles team Dana and Lauren Goggin , who defeated Glenbard West seniors Maddie Morris/Hanna Foth 6-0, 6-0. The Goggins will battle York’s Ellen Barry/Blaire Porter today.
Hoffman singles player Courtney Lang progressed to the second round with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Auburn senior Jessica Song. Lang’s second-round opponent is St. Thomas More junior Madie Baillon.
Belleville West freshman singles player Kayleigh Thurwalker ousted Barrington junior Lucia Stumbras 6-0, 6-3 Thursday. Barrington’s Kate Allison/Zoe Kasiurak, Alia Nejwadi/Haley Mallon and Rolling Meadows sophomores Allie and Jackie Kemph and the rest of the competition resume their first-round matches — and perhaps more, if they win — at 8 a.m. today.