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GOT NET? YOU BET
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Boardman native Christopher Leson finds himself in an unusual position with the Youngstown State men's tennis team this season. As a junior, he is the veteran of a very young Penguins squad that includes just four freshman and one sophomore.
By Pete Mollica
Christopher Leson is the team’s veteran
With two state champions among four freshmen, YSU should have a competitive team next spring.
YOUNGSTOWN — Boardman native Christopher Leson finds himself in an unusual position with the Youngstown State men’s tennis team this season.
As a junior he is the veteran of a very young Penguins squad that includes just four freshmen and one sophomore.
The Penguins will wind up their fall season this weekend when they take part in the ITA Midwest Regional event in Columbus. The event begins Thursday and runs through Sunday.
Leson said that he always wanted to play for the Penguins.
“Being from Boardman I’ve always been around the program here and I felt since I loved the area so much why not just join the YSU program,” Leson said.
It also doesn’t hurt that his mother (Suzanne) is an instructor at YSU and his sister (Kelly) is also a student there.
It’s been a great experience,” he added.
Being the lone returning player from last year, Leson said he doesn’t feel any more pressure, but he knows that he must become the team’s leader this season.
“It’s not going to be all about wins and losses with this team,” he said.
“There is a lot more to collegiate tennis than just competing. You have to learn how to control your emotions out on the court and you also have to relax and learn to enjoy the competition.”
The Penguins are coached by Eric Ronan, in his ninth season.
He doesn’t have a lot to worry about this year when he goes to pick his lineup for each match.
“There are six singles matches in every match, so everybody is going to play,” added Leson. It also means that we are all going to play doubles also.”
“I’ve been playing both since high school, but the only problem with having just six players would be with injuries,” Leson added.
“We will have a very competitive team this spring,” he added. We’ve got two state champions among our four freshmen.”
Leson compiled a record of 3-13 while playing the No. 4 and 5 singles last season. His wins came against St. Francis, Wesleyan University and Horizon League opponent Wright State.
He and teammates Zach Landgraf, Diego Cerzosimo and Maurice Rucker combined for a 3-13 doubles record last year.
He won his first college match at singles and doubles his freshman season in 2006 at the Valparaiso Tennis Classic.
At Boardman, Leson was a four-time letter winner and also served as team captain his senior year. He earned first-team All-Steel Valley Conference honors as a freshman and first-team All-Federal League as a senior. He also qualified for the state tournament and played on Boardman’s basketball team.
“We’re going to be a team to reckon with this spring,” Leson said. “I’m not saying we’re going to go out and win the Horizon League championship, but we will be competitive against all of the league teams.”
mollica@vindy.com