By BRIAN SAPARNIS
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PORTLAND – Kurt Hess sometimes will jog about six miles from his home to the Jay County tennis courts to warm up for practice.
Once on the court, he uses a mentality that helped him reached the IHSAA state wrestling finals last winter as a junior. His relentless approach is a major reason for his net success on the tennis courts, where he has won 80 percent of his matches the last three years.
“I think tennis and wrestling are both really mental, “said Hess, who this week will start his third season at No. 1 singles for the Patriots. “When you get down in a match, you have to think what you do good and think about what shots that you can hit well. It’s pretty much a one-on-one situation. That’s why I like singles in tennis, as well as wrestling.”
Barry Weaver can’t recall have a wrestler excel on the tennis team during his 22 years as Jay County coach.
“I think the individual sport thing comes into play a lot, “Weaver said of the similarities between tennis and wrestling. “You know it’s up to you, and if you don’t do it, you’re not going to have anyone there to help you out.”
On the tennis court, like the wrestling mat, Hess tends to feel out his opponent at the beginning and look for openings later. He tries to set up his favorite shot, a cross-court forehand.
Weaver is trying to make Hess more aggressive earlier in matches.
“When he does do that, he goes to the next level of play, “Weaver said.
Grinding it out
Hess recently has competed in three summer tournaments in Delaware County. He hopes that facing stronger competition will help his quest to have Jay County improve on last year’s 7-7 record.
As an individual goal, he yearns to reach the state finals in the individual tournament. Last year, Hess reached the regional round of the singles tournament and finished the season with a 15-4 record.
Burris coach Justin Overmyer has noticed the extra work Hess has put in during the summer.
Opponents get few free points against Hess, Overmyer noticed.
“Kurt’s a grind-it-out type of player, “Overmyer said. “Obviously with his wrestling background, he’s in good condition and won’t tire out. He’s used to one-on-one competitions when it’s just him against his opponents.”
Now, Hess says he hits the ball harder and at better angles.
His improvement is noticeable to teammate Tyler Rigby, who sometimes gets frustrated by the persistency displayed by Hess.
“He doesn’t hit the power shots, but he will wear you down, “said Rigby, who plays No. 1 doubles but practices regularly against Hess. “He keeps hitting it in. Sometimes you wonder if he’s ever going to hit it out.”
From the emotional standpoint, Hess has changed little in the five years Rigby has known him.
“He doesn’t show any emotion, really, “Rigby said. “He just plays his best. That’s all you see from him. He’s always been the same.”
Contact assistant sports editor Brian Saparnis at 213-5811.
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