For four years, Drew Harris has been the cornerstone of the tennis team. With 4 years of experience on varsity and captain for his junior and senior year, he leads his teammates and friends as one of their top players.
From the moment he joined the varsity team as a freshman, he made an immediate impact. Competing at the top of the line up for all four years of high school, he spent his first three years dominating as no. 1 doubles before stepping into a new role as no.1 singles as a senior.
His consistent performance has paid off as he was awarded MVP.
“Drew is incredibly dedicated to getting better, he plays all the time in drills, lessons, tournaments, and league match competitions. Drew also works with trainers on a regular basis to stay in top physical and mental condition,” said Varsity tennis coach Scott Gilbert.
Drew is committed beyond the short spring season. Outside of practices, Drew is constantly working on trying to elevate his game. He regularly trains with coaches to work on his physical and mental conditioning. Whether it is drills, tournaments, lessons, or matches, Drew is constantly busy with tennis.
One of his favorite and most proud moments was during his sophomore year season. Drew qualified for state, a big achievement for him that boosted his confidence.
One of his teammates and good friend Nick Schweitzer attests to Drews impact on the team.
“Drew is the kind of tennis player you want to play with, not only does he win matches but he raises the level. He’s athletic, reliable, puts in the hours on and off the court, and is a good friend,” said Schweitzer.
As a two-year captain, Drew accepted the responsibility of the leadership, not only does he perfectly represent the team but he sets the tone for the rest of his teammates.
“Being a two-year captain has meant a lot to me because I enjoy leading by example and helping people improve,” Drew said. “Previous captains taught me how to bring energy and be a great leader.”
His impact goes far beyond just his achievements and wins. Being captain he has taken on the role of mentoring underclassmen while encouraging the varsity team. He always demonstrates respect and sportsmanship, he is the type of person that perfectly represents the game of tennis.
Looking ahead into his future, Drew is continuing his career in tennis and attending Whitman College. He chose it not only because of the tennis team and dedicated coach, but also because of its strong sense of community and the location in the pacific northwest.
Drew is excited for the many opportunities to compete at the collegiate level, as a major part of their team he will travel around the country and gain many experiences.
Despite the pressure that comes with being a top player, Drew embraces it and is excited for the next steps in his career.
“I’ve been taught that pressure is a privilege—that’s one of the main reasons I like to compete,” said Harris.
