The Miners boys tennis team was relatively young and inexperienced this year — five of the seven players they sent to the state tournament May 16 and 17 were underclassmen.
Where most programs would view that type of season and tournament as a rebuilding one, especially with head coach Cole Lee in his first year at the helm, Lee and Park City attacked it. The Miners went 6-2, finished third in their competitive region and fourth in the state. Two singles player and freshman Thomas Rogowski finaled his state bracket.
The format at state is separate brackets for all one-through-three singles spots and one and two doubles spots, with points tallied up toward the team scores.
The rest of Park City’s state entries fell in the quarterfinals of their brackets. Lee is incredibly optimistic about the future because of those returning, those coming in and the work everyone’s about to put in. The Miners are knocking on the doorstep once more of state titles — the program has 14, the most in Park City High history.
“A lot of our guys maybe feel like they left a little bit out there,” said Lee on the showing at state. “But, we can be super proud as a team.”
Quarterfinal losses weren’t all bad, as Park City was one of four 4A teams to get everyone to that round. The only players not returning next year are one doubles seniors Adam Rose and Scotty Morris, who surely were critical leaders with this young crew.
Lee said watching everyone get some wins Friday the 16th was one of his favorite moments of the season. He also felt the boys got invaluable experience, seeing the level and passion from many of the other schools there, some from 5A and 6A.
“Everyone finished the season on a high note with the team result,” added Lee. “I think everyone’s super proud.”
Last year, the Miners finished in a tie for 14th.
The enthusiasm from the fourth-place finish is already rolling into the all-important offseason. The season itself, especially in a cold weather town like Park City often flies by in preps tennis. Lee said most of the team has already played outside tournaments, crucial for improvement, since state ended.
“We’re excited for the future,” Lee said. “Bunch of guys on the horizon who are coming into ninth grade. … I can just tell that they’ve (the returning players) got the tennis bug.”
Lee and his assistant Tim Donnely will be working with the players while they play USTA and other events all offseason. Working with their high school coaches, it’s more likely they’ll develop doubles skills and be aligned toward common goals.
Park City will need their improved A game next season, with Highland, the 5A runner-up, moving into 4A Region 10.
“Definitely exciting things ahead,” Lee said. “But, definitely tough challenges as well. … I think we’ve got a shot to maybe get top three next season (at state).”