By Kent Dolezal
As May winds to a close, seven Havre High athletes will be coming to the end of their scholastic tennis careers. The Blue Ponies had seven seniors this season, with six of those qualifying for post-season play which opens this week with the Central A divisional.
Eli Sethre, who will be paired with Nick Heninger this post season in doubles play, said his great accomplishment was beating the assistant coaches.
I will remember it was a good time, the good competition and lots of fun, Sethre said on how he will reminisce about his time on the Blue Pony court years from now.
Sethre, who plans on attending Georgia Tech is a mechanical engineering major, has the goal of taking the state doubles championship. His key for a successful match is concentration and practice.
Bryan Frey, the Blue Ponies No. 2 singles player, said he will miss the trips and that mindset is a key to a good match.
He said he would like to place at state, and his great accomplishment was beating his coaches.
Frey said he will miss the free food and the competition, and his future plans include anything but running.
Shannon Brantley will find herself paired with Kirsten Kuka as Havres top girls doubles unit, said her greatest accomplishment was learning to play both individually and with a teammate. I learned confidence and patience.
She said he will miss the friends she has made and playing the game.
This postseason she wants to play as hard as I can, 100 percent on every point.
Brantleys future plans are to attend Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she will major in chemistry. She will also continue her tennis career there.
Tennis has been one of the most memorable aspects of high school, Brantley said. Ive learned both physical and life skills. I know Ill keep playing in the future because I love the game.
Chris Dorcheus, paired with fellow senior Rob Gaskill for one of Havres doubles squads, said his best memories of Blue Pony tennis include the bus trips home, and he will remember the tennis as a great time in high school.
Dorcheus, who plans on entering the Air Force, said the key to a successful match is teamwork, and not letting down on your opponents.
Dorcheus said his goal heading into divisional play is to qualify for state.
Gaskill said said his fondest memories of playing for the Ponies include meeting and becoming good friends with the players and coaches.
His greatest accomplishment was staying on the varsity for four years, and his future plans will feature going to Arizona and playing tennis 24-7 (all the time).
Gaskill tells other tennis players to stay calm, and if you are down, dont lose your head.
Kendra Childree, who unfortunately will not accompany the Blue Ponies this post season, said, I will miss the players and the friendships that I have made.
She tells players to stay focused, and dont get upset about bad shots.
Childree said the bus trips were her favorite memories, and 20 years from now she will remember the people with whom she played.
Childree plans to attend Minot State University with a career in optometry in her future.
Eric Dimou, who will be the No. 3 boys singles player, said his fondest memory of playing high school tennis is hitting people with tennis balls.
Dimou said self motivation is the key to a successful match, and his goal this post season is to advance to state.
He plans to attend college in his future, and said being able to play was his greatest accomplishment.
