By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
With Kansas State's loss to Florida Atlantic in the NCAA Tournament Saturday evening, all eyes can now turn to the prep spring sports season. Great Bend High School Tennis Coach Chris Manning gets back a state qualifier, and is pleased to see a healthy number of players on this year's roster.
"Our numbers finally rebounded from the COVID shortened season," he said. "I’m excited to have options for our JV. And we are really starting to see the benefits from having a middle school program. The freshman that played in middle school will all be high on JV and possibly playing their way onto varsity. We also have a handful of first-year players, most of which have come from other sports and have added great athleticism to our line up."
The Panthers will have three returning senionrs, including returning state qualifier Brendyn Schroeder. He is joined by classmates Jordan Manning and Cameron Harbaugh.
"Brendyn is our returning state qualifier with even higher goals this year," Coach Manning said. "He is not only looking to return to state but a top-10 finish is our goal. Jordan is coming off a disappointing injury-filled season. We are first hoping for a healthy season and our team needs him to step up. Our goal is for him to make it to state as well."
The relatively young squad will have just two returning juniors in Kaden Deines and Marcos Castanon, but Manning said Castanon will be a vital player for the Panthers this spring. "He is the energy of the team," said the coach. "He keeps it fun and has been super aggressive at the net. He lost his doubles partner and we will trying to find who he works with the best."
Joel Alcala is the lone sophomore on this year's team. Incoming freshmen include: Joshua Manning, Kaden Pounds, Aaron Ramirez, Chason Ramsey, Damian Mosqueda, Fabian Guerrero, Jorge Moreno, Alexis Ayala, Jacob Parks, and Kai Britt.
The Panthers open the season on March 28, and host an invitational at the Shannon Schartz Courts at Veterans Park on Saturday, April 1.