Stewart makes most of tennis program revival

Josh Stewart (middle, front) signs his national letter-of-intent to play tennis at Franklin College. He is flanked by his parents Coty (left) and Jill (right). Witnessing (back, from left) were athletic trainer Katie Patberg, coach Zack Love and athletic director Troy Burgess.

Timing is everything, many wise men have said.

For South Putnam senior Josh Stewart, the timing was just right when his school resurrected its boys' tennis program four years ago after a long absence.

Stewart played football in junior high school but didn't want to pursue that sport any further.

"I had learned how to play tennis at a young age, and when I heard we were going to be having tennis again I jumped all over that," he said.

Stewart took his opportunity and made the most of it, and will become what is believed to be South Putnam's first-ever boys' tennis player to move up to the collegiate level of competition as he joins the squad at Franklin College.

"I'm really happy for Josh and I'm really excited for him," Eagle coach Zack Love said. "The program has only been back in play for the past four years, and he's the first guy to make it all the way back through it again."

South Putnam dropped the sport during the 1980s, and Stewart immediately became a leader in the revived program -- even as a freshman.

"He's a great leader," Love said. "He has been one over the last four years, from the first day he started."

Stewart currently plays for the Eagle baseball team, and also excels in basketball. He will play in a Wabash Valley All-Star game at Terre Haute North on June 11 with players from 26 Wabash Valley area schools.

He thinks his versatility will help him as he advances his tennis game to the collegiate level.

"Being a three-sport athlete in high school is really going to help me out being in shape," Stewart said. "I've met some of the guys on the team and I like them. I'm really excited about playing at Franklin.

"The competition is going to be really different," Stewart added. "There are not a lot of tennis schools around here, and there's going to be a lot more and better competition."

Stewart will be playing in some summer tournaments in Terre Haute in the next few months through the United States Tennis Association to help get ready for his Franklin experience.

"I'm looking forward to that," he said. "I need to work on getting my first serve in a lot more often. Coach [Rusty] Hughes at Franklin will help me out on that a lot. I would say my strength is volleying. I hit a lot of shots back, and I'm constantly running back and forth."

Love said that Stewart was exclusively utilized as a singles player at South Putnam.

"He's a team guy and he'll play wherever they need him to play," Love said. "He's really consistent, and he's the same guy every time out. That goes a long way.

"He's a very good athlete, and that really helps his tennis game as well. This is a great opportunity for him."