Spring tennis wraps up

While much of the excitement surrounding spring sports in Green River focuses on soccer and outdoor track, the Green River High School tennis team also had their chance to shine during the season.

The tennis team's five-week season wraps up this week with home matches against Rawlins, Natrona County High School and Kelly Walsh. The Wolves' meeting with the Rawlins Outlaws takes place Thursday, starting at 2 p.m. Their final matches against the Casper-based high schools take place Saturday, with action starting at 9:30 a.m.

The spring tennis program has become more popular in the past few years, with head coach Phil Harder saying 40 students signed up this season.

"It's becoming more popular," Harder said.

Not that long ago, it seemed like spring tennis would have been sacrificed, along with wrestling cheer and indoor track, to help Sweetwater County School District No. 2 make its budget projections. The board saved the three programs, something Harder is extremely grateful for.

"I'm appreciative, the kids are appreciative, their parents are appreciative," Harder said.

Because Green River doesn't have an indoor tennis facility, Harder said the spring season helps the Wolves remain competitive for the fall season, which unlike spring tennis, culminates in regional and state championship tournaments.

The team will host a tennis camp at Lincoln Middle School May 7-10 and May 14-17, open to middle school students interested in learning the sport and competing for the Wolves.

After the school year ends, the tennis players have a few events to look forward to during the summer. Harder said the University of Wyoming will host a tennis camp at GRHS June 11-15. The camp will give high school players in Sweetwater County the chance to learn from the assistant coaches on UW's women's tennis team.

"It's a huge service the university offers," Harder said.

After that, from June 25-28, Harder and his players will host a tennis clinic through the Green River Recreation Center. The clinic is aimed towards children in first through eighth grades and will take place at the high school's outdoor tennis courts. Harder said the team has hosted the clinic for the past four years and serves as a fundraiser for the team.