Girls moved up from a sixth seed to defeat opponents 6-2, 6-3 in Saturday’s Division 2 finals
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
There’s an old saying in the poker world that all you need is a chip and a chair and you have a chance.
When it comes to sports, all competitors can ask for is a chance – from there, they have to create their own destiny.
And for Big Foot senior Annie McGrail and Williams Bay freshman Meredith Heckert, it’s safe to say they took full advantage of their opportunity.
The Chiefs’ No. 1 doubles team turned a sixth seed into a WIAA Division 2 state championship last week with a remarkable three-day run at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium, Madison.
McGrail-Heckert defeated the fifth-seeded team of Paige Moritz and Lindsey Thomas 6-2, 6-3, Saturday to bring home the title.
Contacted by e-mail this week, the accomplishment hadn’t quite hit home for either newly crowned state champion.
“Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in completely, but it definitely has sunk in more than it had on Saturday,” McGrail said. “It has been fun at school because I never realized how many people supported me with my tennis and how many people have been excited for me.”
Heckert said winning a state title has been a goal since she started playing four years ago – she just wasn’t sure it would happen so quickly.
“When it does start to sink in, I’m going to cry my eyes out,” she said.
“School has been awesome this week. … I couldn’t believe how many ‘congrats,’ high fives and hugs I got from all around the school. Williams Bay has been such a good atmosphere (and) all the kids make it feel like I’m home.”
First-year Big Foot coach Chris Chen was obviously excited for the girls and their accomplishment.
“Words can’t describe how proud I am of the girls,” he said. “Not only for Annie and Meredith winning the doubles title, but for the entire team for adjusting so well to the coaching change we had this season and for showing such resilience throughout.”
Chen couldn’t be in Madison for the finals because he was at his sister’s wedding, but he definitely was kept in the loop during and after the match.
And even from a distance, he had plenty of emotions.
“They worked so hard and stayed so positive,” Chen said. “And to battle through so many tough matches, it was incredible.”
More coverage of the state championship run appears in this week’s sports section.
