News Summary

In the Roaring Fork Valley, local high schools have joined forces to enhance participation in tennis and other sports. This collaboration has allowed Basalt, Roaring Fork, Glenwood Springs, and CRMS to combine their teams, fostering unity and passion among players. The Basalt boys tennis team, coached by Shelley Lundh Freeman, showcases talent from all participating schools and has already experienced exciting matches this season. Aiming for future growth, coaches are also introducing summer programs for middle schoolers to cultivate interest in tennis from a young age.

Exciting Tennis Season Unfolds in Roaring Fork Valley!

In the picturesque Roaring Fork Valley, high school sports are thriving thanks to a unique collaboration between several local schools. When it comes to sports like tennis, not having enough players can be a real challenge, but this community has found a way around that!

Forming Teams to Boost Participation

Basalt High School, Roaring Fork, Glenwood Springs High School, and the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) have teamed up to create combined teams for various sports, including tennis. This teamwork ensures that students can still compete, learn, and enjoy their favorite sports despite having a smaller number of participants. It’s a fantastic way to foster unity within the valley while promoting each sport.

Tennis Takes Center Stage at Basalt High School

While the boys’ tennis program is hosted at Basalt High School, it proudly includes talents from all participating schools. This season, there are a total of 13 players on the Basalt boys tennis team—consisting of 11 varsity athletes and 2 eager junior varsity newcomers who are diving into the sport for the first time. How exciting!

Stepping into the role of head coach is Shelley Lundh Freeman, who brings her experience from coaching the Basalt girls tennis team for the past two seasons. As she embarks on this new journey with the boys, the anticipation is palpable.

Passion and Community among Players

Among the players is Hank Bielenberg, a junior from Roaring Fork who has been playing tennis for eight years. He truly believes that the combined team setup not only enhances his game but also promotes a sense of community among players. He values the technical aspects of tennis, appreciating how it cultivates both skill and athleticism.

Also part of the team is AJ Lott, a senior from Glenwood Springs High, who joined the Basalt team due to the absence of a boys’ tennis program at his school. He highlights the value of developing patience and fostering an active lifestyle through the sport. Another teammate, senior Fritz Simmons from CRMS, enjoys the chance to not only play tennis but also mingle with fellow athletes from different schools.

Building Tomorrow’s Tennis Stars

There’s a bit of a catch, though—Lundh Freeman and assistant coach Howard Freeman have realized that tennis isn’t often promoted in middle school, which leads students to focus on other sports when they reach high school. To tackle this, they have initiated a summer tennis program aimed at middle schoolers, hoping to ignite interest in tennis from a young age and ensure future growth of the program.

Recent Matches Spark Enthusiasm

This season has already had its thrills. The Basalt boys tennis team has celebrated two full-team victories, alongside multiple wins in individual and doubles matches. One of their recent encounters saw them face off against Aspen, where the team narrowly lost with a score of 4-3. Fortunately, three players clinched their singles matches, and Lott paired with sophomore Tyler Portman to secure victory in their doubles match. Keep an eye out for their upcoming matches against Fruita Monument, Steamboat Springs, and Durango.

Other Sports Flourishing in the Valley

It’s not just tennis that’s making waves in the Roaring Fork Valley. The Roaring Fork boys soccer team recently defeated Basalt with a score of 3-1, while the girls’ volleyball team from Roaring Fork triumphed over Basalt in a nail-biting match, finishing 3-2. Additionally, the Basalt softball team managed to split a doubleheader against Meeker, celebrating a resounding win of 22-15 in one game, while facing a tough loss of 18-8 in the other.

Moreover, the Basalt cross country team made its mark at the Eagle Valley Invitational, with senior Towler Scott and freshman Scarlett Jones shining as leading runners for their respective teams. On the mountain biking front, the Roaring Fork team competed in the Eagle Haymaker Classic, boasting impressive finishes from seniors Quinn Carpenter and Emmaline Warner.

As the sports season continues, there’s a palpable excitement within the community, showcasing the talent and dedication of these young athletes. The Roaring Fork Valley truly is a remarkable place to witness the growth of high school sports, where collaboration leads to success and friendship.

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