BOYS' TENNIS: THACHER READY TO TAKE ON LEADING ROLE SOPHOMORE TOPS HARVARD-WESTLAKE'S TALENTED ROSTER.Byline: Erik Boal Special to the Daily News Ryan Thacher possessed all the intangibles to be the top singles player for the Harvard-Westlake of Studio City boys' tennis team last season. ``He's got everything,'' Wolverines' coach Chris Simpson Christopher Patrick Simpson (born 9 January, 1982) in Brisbane, Queensland, is an Australian cricketer who plays for the Queensland Bulls in Australian domestic cricket. He is a right arm offbreak bowler and right handed batsman. Simpson attened villanova college. said. ``He's got the speed, the thought, the movement and he can do anything he wants with the ball from the left side.'' Fortunately for Simpson and assistant Tony Isaacs, Thacher also demonstrated a level of maturity well beyond that displayed by most freshmen. The 6-foot-3 left-hander was content to be a member of the Wolverines' supporting cast, as his older brother, Bret, and Daily News Player of the Year Sam Wagner led Harvard-Westlake to its second consecutive Div. I title. With Wagner (Boston College Boston College, main campus at Chestnut Hill, Mass.; coeducational; Jesuit; est. and opened 1863. Actually a university, the school's Chestnut Hill campus comprises colleges of arts and sciences and business administration, the graduate school, and schools of nursing ), Bret Thacher (Williams College Williams College, at Williamstown, Mass.; coeducational; chartered 1785, opened as a free school 1791, became a college 1793, named for Ephraim Williams. The Williams campus, noted for its fine old buildings, includes West College (1790), the Van Rensselaer Manor ) and three others graduated off last year's championship team, the spotlight has now shifted to Ryan Thacher to help the top-ranked Wolverines - who currently boast a 47-match winning streak Noun 1. winning streak - a streak of wins streak, run - an unbroken series of events; "had a streak of bad luck"; "Nicklaus had a run of birdies" - to a third straight championship and the fourth in five seasons. ``I know my role is magnified even more this year,'' said Thacher, who entered the season riding the momentum from capturing singles and doubles titles in January at the boys' 16-under division at the USTA USTA United States Tennis Association USTA United States Telecom Association USTA United States Trotting Association USTA United States Telephone Association USTA United States Twirling Association USTA United States Trademark Association Winter National Junior Championships in Scottsdale, Ariz. ``Last year, I thought I could be a player who could be counted on in those important situations, but I was content to sit back because there were seniors like my brother and Sam who took on the leadership roles. ``This year, I know I'm going to be counted on to help the team through those tough matches, and having a year under my belt, I'm really looking forward to the challenge.'' Thacher has already helped Harvard-Westlake to victories over perennial perennial, any plant that under natural conditions lives for several to many growing seasons, as contrasted to an annual or a biennial. Botanically, the term perennial Div. I power Peninsula A peninsula is a piece of land that is bordered on three sides by water. A peninsula can also be a headland, cape, island promontory, bill, point, or spit.[1] Europe
But after reaching the quarterfinals of the doubles draw at the prestigious Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament last year with Wagner and advancing to the semifinals of the Southern Section doubles tournament with his brother, Thacher is ready conquer the singles ranks in both events this time around. ``I think (the team goals and my individual goals) come hand in hand,'' said Thacher, who leads a lineup A criminal investigation technique in which the police arrange a number of individuals in a row before a witness to a crime and ask the witness to identify which, if any, of the individuals committed the crime. featuring returning standouts Jordan Abergel, Michael Vann, Winston Park Winston Park is a small residential area that lies between Gillitts and Hillcrest in the Upper Highway Area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Properties in the area are relatively expensive and houses range in size from small condominium developments to several mansions. and Elias De Wit. ``I'm going to go out and try to win every match I play. Winning that tournament, there are definitely some expectations and I want to live up to those. But I don't try to put my individual achievements ahead of those of the team.'' Simpson is confident that as long as the Wolverines remain healthy and focused, Thacher will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy success as both an individual and with his teammates. ``I'm sure he's going to lead this team to trophies,'' said Simpson, who boasts a 107-7 record in his sixth season as head coach. ``He's got a lot going for him right now. He has that something extra that few players his age do.'' Erik Boal, (818) 713-3607 erik.boal(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo, 2 boxes Photo: THACHER Box: (1) DAILY NEWS' TOP 10 (2) 10 TO WATCH |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion