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Rowe producing winners for GHS
Third-year coach making fourth trip to regional round
By Joey Bennett
Sports Editor
Kevin Rowe played high school tennis at Chesterton High School in northwest Indiana, but wasn’t surprised his playing career did not extend beyond then.
“I was far from a Division I player,” admits Rowe, who attended college at Indiana University in Bloomington. “I love the sport, and I grew up playing the sport. I picked up coaching and working as an instructor about eight or nine years ago.”
Rowe was named head coach of Greencastle’s boys’ and girls’ tennis programs in 2014, and has rapidly built the Tiger Cubs into a powerhouse.
It may be too early to use the word “dynasty,” but three straight sectionals with the Greencastle boys’ team and another last spring with the Tiger Cub girls have given Rowe four title in three years.
“It’s been pretty cool to accomplish that at Greencastle,” Rowe said on Thursday after his team defeated Owen Valley 4-1 to advance to Tuesday’s Crawfordsville regional. ”That hasn’t been done too many times here, and I’m pretty proud of that.”
Rowe does not take credit for the successes, however.
“The accolades should go to the players and their effort,” he said. “They put in the time. I’m just there for the ride and to encourage them along the way.”
Rowe’s players would do anything for him, and normally agree with everything he says, but his top two singles players disagree with the reason behind the program’s success.
“He has gotten us ready,” said Jed Fajt, the team’s No. 1 singles player who has also never lost a sectional match over the past three years. “We wouldn’t be here without him.”
Fajt’s voice trembles as he speaks with such reverence about his mentor.
“Coach is one of my favorite people,” Fajt said. “He just loves all of us; you can tell.
“He likes to joke around, but he would do anything for any of us and I would do anything for him.”
Sean Ramey, the team’s No. 2 singles player, agrees with his teammate.
“He’s a great coach,” he said. “He really brings out the best in us. It’s evident how much he really cares about us, in practice and on the court.
“He just wants to help us to be the best tennis players we can be.”
The Tiger Cubs returned every player from last year’s squad, and wanted to make sure to keep improving their games to try for a longer post-season run this time around.
“He made himself available to hit with us over the summer,” Ramey noted. “He gave us a lot of tips that we can use during the season.”
Rowe admits the success of the program has surprised him.
“This is the first time I’ve been the head coach of a program,” he said. “I’m pretty excited that we’ve done this well in such a short amount of time.”
For Greencastle to take the next step toward the “dynasty” level, success at this week’s regional tournament will need to happen.
The TIger Cubs (12-3) play upstart Turkey Run (17-2) in one semifinal match on Tuesday, while Covington (14-3) battles Terre Haute South (13-8) in the other semifinal match.
The winners play on Wednesday for a spot in the Center Grove semistate on Saturday.
Turkey Run, a small school constantly facing fears of consolidation with nearby Rockville, did not even have a program four years ago.
Some students wanted to resurrect the team, talked some of their friends into playing, and the Warriors have had a dream season that started with a Wabash River Conference title and continued with last week’s Crawfordsville sectional crown.
Turkey Run and Greencastle met during the regular season, with the Warriors winning a 3-2 decision.
“I’d like to think it’s possible,” Rowe said of winning the regional. “We had a tough match with Turkey Run, and it’s definitely winnable.”
His top singles players agree.
“We’re not done yet,” Fajt said. “This is one of the best teams we’ve ever had, and we should have a chance.”
Ramey agreed.
“I think we’ll be able to advance,” he said. “We can make it to semistate if we all put in our maximum effort.
• SP’s Fanning also competing — South Putnam’s Thomas Fanning will also be playing in Crawfordsville Tuesday.
Fanning, the No. 1 singles player for the Eagles, is eligible to continue in the individual portion of the state tournament since he won his only match at the sectional level.
He will continue to play as long as he wins, and undefeated No. 1 singles players from teams will be added to the bracket once eliminated.
Fanning’s first match will be against Dallas Otero of Fountain Central, who has an 11-2 singles record. Fanning is 5-9.