VINDICATOR ALL-STARS 'Have racquet, will travel' is motto for area players

Several players made the trip to Columbus for the state tournament.
BRIAN MEEK
School/grade: Ursuline, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He was state runner-up in Division II doubles; sectional and district doubles champion; four-time Steel Valley Conference champion; and compiled 28-2 record in No. 2 singles.
Name someone who has been a positive influence in your athletic career: Our coach, Joann Gardner, has been a positive influence in my high school career because she always told me to keep my head up, not worry and have fun. She was beside me through all four years.
Best memory from the season: Playing in the state final match.
DONALD PERSON
School/grade: Ursuline, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He compiled a 21-2 record, was named first team All-State and second in state in doubles tournament.
Positive influence: My entire family because they have supported all my goals in tennis and in life.
Best memory: Playing in the state championship doubles match.
Something people don't know about you or would be surprised to learn: I had braces on my legs like Forrest Gump when I was little.
RICHARD BAROFF
School/grade: Liberty, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He was sectional tournament champion, district tournament quarterfinalist and compiled a11-2 season record. A captain for next year's team, he also is Liberty Racquet Club Indoor men's champion.
Positive influence: My dad has been the biggest influence on my tennis career. He has taught me everything about the game, including helping me plan match strategy. I also love trying to beat him.
Best memory: My best memory was coming within one match from qualifying for the state tournament. That and having my parents at every match.
Surprised to learn: Besides playing tennis, I am on the Liberty varsity golf team and the varsity bowling team, and an honor roll student. I am studying aviation and plan to become a pilot. I just qualified for the national Optimist Golf Tournament, which will be played in Florida this month.
TOM BARTH
School/grade: Boardman, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He was first team all-SVC for three straight years, a two-time team captain, a two-time district qualifier and a four-year letterman.
Positive influence: My uncle, Barry Barth, has been an important influence in developing my tennis game to the level I'm playing. My whole family is very supportive of my tennis -- coming to my matches and keeping me positive.
Best memory: Winning my match in Dover this year was satisfying because my opponent had beaten me the year before.
Surprised to learn: I'm the youngest of five children in my family.
CHRIS KUPPLER
School/grade: Canfield, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He was state qualifier in singles, first team All-Metro Athletic Conference and sectional runner-up. He compiled a 10-2 record in No. 1 singles.
Positive influence: I have been fortunate enough to be coached by many outstanding coaches. This year, however, Fitch coach Frank Sachire played a big role in my success. He helped prepare me for important postseason matches both physically and mentally. His support, along with that of Coach Larry Davis, really helped me through some tough matches this season. More importantly, Frank really rekindled my love for tennis this year. That has done more for my game than any practice could.
Best memory: The state tournament. Making state twice before in doubles was great, but it was special to do it in singles play. The whole experience was a great way to end my career.
Surprised to learn: For the past year, I really lost my love for tennis. I was on the verge of quitting many times leading up to the season. In the beginning, I thought my last high school match would be my last match ever. As the season wore on, though, I found the love that was missing for so long. I realize that I was too driven by the outcome, instead of appreciating the journey. Now I have fun in both aspects. I like winning, but I don't base my whole enjoyment on that alone. This new outlook on the game has allowed me to improve my tennis and I look forward to beginning a new tennis career at Washington University in St. Louis this fall.
JASON TRAPP
School/grade: Howland, senior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He was Division I sectional and district doubles champion and two-time state qualifier. He compiled a 14-3 record playing No. 2 singles.
Positive influence: Pete Sampras. His hard work ethic and composure whether winning or losing influenced my court manners and made me work hard at my tennis game.
Best memory: Our team was not only a great tennis team, but we also had a lot of fun together. We were all friends and rooted for each other. It was a fun year for all of us and the guys on the team made it memorable.
Surprised to learn: I won a hole-in-one competition at Creekside Gardens' driving range last summer.
RYAN TRAPP
School/grade: Howland, junior.
Statistics/accomplishments: He won district and sectional doubles titles, and was three-time sectional doubles champion and three-time state qualifier. He went 13-4 in No. 1 singles competition -- all three losses came to state qualifiers.
Positive influence: Keith Vens. He was my first tennis coach and taught me the basics of tennis.
Best memory: Jeff Copp and I made a tennis instruction video for a class. It was a funny video. We dressed in old-fashioned shorts and shirts. Everyone on the team liked it.
Surprised to learn: I was all-MAC in cross country two years in a row.
COACH OF THE YEAR
BARBARA TRAPP
School: Howland.
Statistics/accomplishments: She led team to best record in school history (14-3) and first Metro Athletic Conference championship in school history (shared with Canfield). She had a doubles team qualify for state for a third straight year.
Positive influence: My husband, Jim Trapp. He convinced me to take on the head coaching job and, with Pam and Al Copp, has been instrumental in the team's training.
Best memory: The 7-Up (we couldn't use champagne) celebration after we won the Niles match to clinch the MAC co-championship. My son, Ryan, won at first singles (the third match of the day) and the team sprayed 7-Up on each other.
Surprised to learn: Back in the 1960s (pre-women's liberation), Warren JFK High School had no girls sports. I played CYO basketball and Y-Teens powderpuff football.