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Valley trio set for state tennis tournament.
By Steve Ruman
As a freshman two years ago, Poland’s Garrett Gardner qualified for the Ohio High School Athletic Association state tennis tournament as part of a doubles team. After a solid regular season and postseason run, Gardner and his teammate were eliminated in the first round.
“Looking back, I admit I was overwhelmed,” Gardner said. “The crowds, the level of competition, the entire surrounding ... it was like being on a pro tour. I was stunned. Like any newcomer, I felt a bit intimidated.”
Older, wiser and more experienced, Gardner hopes that his second trip to Columbus will have different results.
Gardner will take part in the Division II state tournament, which begins today at the Ohio State Outdoor Varsity Tennis Courts. He qualified after winning a district crown last week in Canton.
Gardner is one of three Valley athletes from the Canton district to qualify for the state tournament. He will be joined by Warren John F. Kennedy senior Jad Abdul-Aal and Lakeview junior Aaron Paczak.
Abdul-Aal was defeated by Gardner in the district title match, while Paczak finished fourth in Canton.
“Getting a second chance (at state) has been my goal since the moment I left Columbus the first time,” Gardner said. “It’s been my motivation.”
Gardner’s first-round opponent is senior John Larkin (Cincinnati Seven Hills), a third-seed out of the Southwest district.
Like Gardner, both Abdul-Aal and Paczak hope to benefit from previous experiences at the state tournament. Abdul-Aal qualified a year ago, losing his opening match. Paczak also went to Columbus last year, losing in the opening round as part of a doubles team.
“Last year, I was totally nervous the entire time I was in Columbus,” Abdul-Aal said. “It was only after everything was over that I realized how much fun I had. This year, I am going to enjoy the whole experience. I want to enjoy the moment from start to finish.”
Abdul-Aal will face Ryan Bibo (Columbus Watterson), while Paczak will match up against Asher Hirsch (Cincinnati Day School).
While Gardner, Abdul-Aal and Paczak all head to Columbus with the same goal in mind, they will also be there as fans of one another. The three are all close friends who have competed with and against each other for a number of years.
“We’re like best friends off the court, we all support each other all the way,” Abdul-Aal said. “There’s no animosity whatsoever, even if we’re playing against each other. We’ll go at it in a match as we would against any other opponent, but once the match is over, we’re very close and very supportive.”
In fact, the trio spend part of this week practicing together in preparation for the trip to Columbus.
“I couldn’t ask for better friends, or for better training partners,” Paczak said. “I think we’ve all helped one another take our game to a higher level. I know that I’m a better player because of the time I’ve spent playing against Garrett and Jad.