News Summary

The Oak Ridge High School Wildcats and Lady Wildcats tennis teams concluded a successful season with a banquet and awards ceremony celebrating their academic and athletic achievements. With impressive GPAs, the teams were honored by the Booster Club, and the evening featured a pizza party and awards presentation. Additionally, the district tennis tournament showcased the talent of four players who advanced to the quarterfinals. As the community comes together to celebrate, excitement builds for upcoming winter activities, including a new synthetic ice rink at the tennis courts.

Oak Ridge Celebrates a Winning Tennis Season

In the heart of Oak Ridge, the high school tennis teams are riding high on a wave of success after a season filled with hard work and dedication. Recently, the Oak Ridge High School Wildcats and Lady Wildcats tennis teams wrapped up their spring season with a festive banquet and awards ceremony, and it was a blast! Hosted by the enthusiastic members of the Booster Club, the event saw sixty-three players and their families gather at the cozy First United Methodist Church right next to the school.

A Year of Achievements

This year has been fantastic for the Oak Ridge tennis teams both on and off the court. Coach David Bowman shared heartfelt thanks for all the support from the Booster Club, which made it possible to honor the players’ achievements in both academics and athletics. The hard work clearly paid off! The Wildcats were recognized for an impressive cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.71, while their counterparts, the Lady Wildcats, soared even higher with a team GPA of 3.82. This academic excellence brought home “state level” awards from the TSSAA, and it’s clear that these athletes are not just smashing serves but also hitting the books diligently!

Pizza Party and Awards

To celebrate the achievements, attendees enjoyed a delightful pizza party that had everyone’s taste buds satisfied. Along with delicious food, there was a picture slideshow that captured the year’s highlights, bringing back memories of countless hours spent roaming the courts. As the coaches handed out awards celebrating talent and hard work, there were also special honors given to three outstanding players from both teams—an annual tradition beloved by all.

District Tournament Highlights

The excitement didn’t stop with the banquet. Oak Ridge was host to the highly competitive TSSAA District 4 Tennis Tournament, held at the Jackson Square Tennis facility. With more than 200 players and spectators filling the stands, it was a memorable event for everyone involved. The Lady Wildcat doubles match was a standout moment, pushing into the late hours and wrapping up around 11 p.m. Fans of all ages witnessed nine East Tennessee high school tennis teams battling it out in thrilling singles and doubles matches.

Amidst fierce competition, four Oak Ridge tennis players made their mark by advancing to the quarterfinals before facing elimination. Notably, Lady Wildcat senior Sydney Blanchard scored a fantastic victory in her first-round match, overcoming her opponent from Bearden in straight sets. Similarly, Wildcat junior Billy Bennett dominated his first-round match with a clean win, further etching their names into the season’s lore. Doubles partners Christian McGinnis and Ellie Nash also shone brightly by advancing to the quarterfinals after securing a solid win over their foes from Heritage High School.

Synthetic Ice Rink to Sizzle This Winter

In addition to celebrating tennis victories, Oak Ridge is ramping up for winter fun with the installation of a synthetic ice rink at the Oak Ridge High School tennis courts. The rink is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will continue through January 1, with extended hours until 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Admission is $10 for children under 12 and $15 for adults, which includes skate rentals. For those bringing their own skates, a $3 discount awaits. To make the experience even more delightful, two food trucks are serving up delicious bites and refreshing drinks right by the parking lot near the rink!

Wrapping Up

Overall, the Oak Ridge High School tennis teams have proven that hard work and community support lead to not just athletic success but also outstanding academic achievements. As players and their families celebrate their accomplishments together, it’s clear that the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Lady Wildcats are ready to keep that spirit alive for many seasons to come!

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