News Summary

The Otsego County high school boys tennis club team is recruiting players for the upcoming 2025 season. Coach Dan Hawkins is leading this initiative as they plan home matches and friendly competitions with teams from surrounding regions. Practices will take place at the Otsego County Sportsplex Tennis Center, welcoming all interested players from local high schools. With successful youth tournaments and community projects underway, the tennis scene in Otsego County is vibrant and growing, encouraging participation and support from families.

Exciting Times Ahead for Otsego County’s Boys Tennis Club Team

Hey there, residents of Otsego County! If you’ve got a young tennis enthusiast in your home, then you might want to hear all about the thrilling news emerging from the local sports scene. The recruitment drive for the Otsego County high school boys tennis club team is officially underway, and Coach Dan Hawkins is at the helm, steering this exciting initiative into the future!

Building on Success

Last year’s squads made waves in the community as they were the pioneer high school tennis teams in Otsego County—marking the first time in over 40 years that boys tennis was offered at this level! To keep that momentum rolling, the 2025 season is scheduled to feature home matches and friendly competitions with regional teams from various cherished communities. Think teams from Alpena, Boyne City, Petoskey, Traverse City, Grayling, and more!

Practice Locations and Notifications

Practices for the teams will predominantly take place at the Otsego County Sportsplex Tennis Center, providing ample opportunity for players to hone their skills. But in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, rest assured that Coach Hawkins will keep everyone in the loop with notifications about any indoor practice changes! Parents and boys from all Otsego County high schools, including those who are homeschooled, are invited to get involved in this exciting venture!

Get Involved!

If you’re interested, you can reach out directly to Coach Hawkins at 989-619-4148 for more information. Plus, for even more updates and details, you can swing by the Alpine Regional Tennis Association (ARTA) Facebook page or visit the website at gaylordtennis.com.

A Successful Tournament for the Young Tennis Stars

August 2, the ARTA hosted the 2025 Youth Tournament at the Otsego County Sportsplex, showcasing young tennis talent across singles and doubles divisions for ages 8-11 and 12+. Local youth coach and tournament director Dan Hawkins made this event a big hit, and even included an exciting short court game called “Slappies” that got everyone involved!

In the 12+ doubles division, some noteworthy matches unfolded as Nate Kirk and Vinnie Tithof clinched victory against Lucy Kunst and Nolan Rallis, scoring 6-4, 6-3. They continued their winning streak by defeating reigning champs Kyte Hawkins and Collin Cherry with a convincing 6-0, 6-2 scoreline. For those following the singles bracket, Kyte Hawkins triumphed, while Nolan Rallis and Collin Cherry trailed in second and third places, respectively.

Exciting Youth Achievements

The 8-11 doubles division was equally electrifying, featuring an outstanding performance from the undefeated sibling duo of Norah Kolb and Lewis Kolb. They claimed first place, while the race for second was so tight it came down to a tiebreaker between Calvin Kennedy/Franklin Kennedy and Sara Molina/Ana Amman. On the singles side, Lewis Kolb took home the top honor, with Calvin Kennedy finishing in second place.

Community Efforts and Projects

Apart from the thrilling action on the courts, there’s even more to cheer about! One talented team member, Simon Pobocik, is spearheading a community service project as part of his Eagle Scout requirements. Together with valuable support from family, friends, and local businesses, Pobocik is working to build a new storage shed right by the tennis courts. This much-needed addition will securely store equipment such as ball carts, ball machines, nets, and scorecards, making practices more efficient and convenient.

The Growing Tennis Community

As you can see, tennis is alive and well in Otsego County, and the community is coming together like never before. The ARTA continues its mission to enhance the game of tennis and make it accessible to everyone in Northern Michigan. With the plans in place, it’s evident that some exciting times are ahead!

So whether you play, cheer, or support from the sidelines, now is the perfect time to get involved in the Otsego County boys tennis scene!

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