BIG BLUE BOY'S VARSITY TENNIS 2013

Dateline: 8 April.  BIG BLUE BOY'S VARSITY TENNIS began the Conference season today at the Middle School Tennis Courts at Forest Avenue against nearby rival Marblehead.  I am told that Swampscott Varsity Tennis Teams have been unable to defeat the Marblehead Teams during the past several years. There is, at Marblehead, as was seen today, a strong combination of talented players, an accomplished coach, and solid parental support, which usually produces an outcome of consistent victory on the courts. They assemble as a formidable opponent vs. any that they play.

I certainly felt the ghosts of electric opening days as we assembled for the introductions. So good to see these, "kids", conduct themselves with such maturity. One of the things i appreciate about this sport is the tradition of considerate, respectful behavior that participants accept as unwritten rule and expect as a matter of course from each other. Teams lined up for attention, Captains introducing teammates, gestures of respect, given and accepted, among players and coaches. It's "Old School", and something to see.

Welcome to Big Blue Boy's Varsity Tennis!

First Singles:          for Swampscott: Matt Jacobs       v.    Chris Wigglesworth

Second Singles:                               Val Temin          v.    Dimitri Vlassov

Third Singles:                                  Sam Crimmins    v.    Michael Forte

First Doubles:            Bahayez & Pindrus     v.     Barry & Goldstein

Second Doubles:        Crimmins & Gilberg    v.     Rothbard & Suydam 

At the end of the day, the young men of the Big Blue Varsity Tennis Team made history! Well, ..., from their perspective, and certain limited boundaries of history, that is. We have various statements of number, and it is clear that most cannot recall the last time it happened. Today, (8 April 2013), Swampscott defeated Marblehead, 4 - 1, and all the participants can go home with a sense of honor to be part of the experience, pride in the victory and that which brought it to be, and, i hope, thoughts of how to grow and improve in the sport and in life.

Thank you, Marblehead Team, for the substantial test of skill and the opportunity.

We look forward to the rematch at your courts.

CW