By Dan Truttschel
Sports correspondent
A quick look at the Big Foot-Williams Bay boys tennis roster shows plenty of experience coming back this spring.
But that’s not the only place where the Chiefs have some veterans – they have a coach who is feeling much more comfortable himself.
And that’s a combination that could pay dividends.
Former longtime Big Foot basketball coach Dan Dowden, who took over the girls tennis program in the fall, will be at the helm with the boys in 2017.
“I learned a lot of tennis last fall, and that should help with practices,” he said. “I also learned to coach an individual sport versus a team sport for the first time. That was different for me. Hopefully, I improve each time a new season comes along.”
Dowden and his assistant coaches, Dani Lawler and volunteer Dan Arnold, will turn to six returning letterwinners to provide leadership all spring.
Leading that group are seniors Alexis Duran, Nelson Tovar, Evan Karabas, Logan Grunow and Hamilton Smith. They are joined by junior Jack Heidenreich, who also lettered a season ago.
Smith and Heidenreich will serve as co-captains.
“They have both played since their freshman year and are incredibly talented tennis players,” Dowden said.
“We look to our leaders to set the tone for a successful season. We have some guys who are new to the varsity team, so we will be looking to them for guidance and encouragement.”
Heidenreich is expected to play at No. 1 singles, Dowden said, while Hamilton and Grunow should be at No. 1 doubles.
Seeking their first varsity letter – and who also are members of the tentative starting lineup, according to Dowden – are senior Beau Cary, sophomores Christian Karabas and Gunnar Smith and freshman Jack Grunow.
Dowden has liked what he’s seen so far.
“Overall, our outlook for the 2017 season is good,” he said. “We have six returning varsity members and three members who played JV for us last year. I think that if they work hard and keep a positive outlook, they are capable of great things.”
Looking at the Rock Valley Conference, Dowden said he sees McFarland, East Troy and Whitewater to be among the teams to watch in the chase for a title.
Where the Chiefs land remains to be seen – but he is optimistic.
“I think our goal this season is to work hard and play the best we can during each match,” Dowden said. “There is always going to be some tough competition, but I think that we have quite a bit of talent on our team.
“If we continue to work hard, practice hard and stay healthy, I think many of our boys will be successful, both in the conference tournament and during post-season.”
Competition on the court isn’t the only hurdle for the Chiefs – and every spring program for that matter – as the weather always has a critical role.
And that’s certainly been the case to this point, but it’s something that every team has to deal with, Dowden said.
“Weather in the spring is always a challenge,” he said. “It’s hard to play and improve in the rain, cold and wind. We just have to make the most of the time that we have by having a practice plan.”
Big Foot opened its season Thursday with an RVC matchup at Edgerton. The Chiefs then will be idle until Thursday, April 20, when they host Whitewater at 4:30 p.m.
