GALION — Galion has been playing boys’ tennis in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference since 2015.
While they were competitive over much of the time, an MOAC title had eluded the Tigers — until this year.
Galion outpointed runner-up Ontario, 27-19, to win the league championship on April 29 and May 1 at Lakewood Racquet Club in Lexington and Shelby High School.
According to Galion coach Tom Pawsey, the title is the culmination of hard work and dedication of his kids and the coaching staff, including Terry Gribble and Alan Conner.
“I started from scratch five years ago,” said Pawsey, who was also head coach at Ontario for five years. “This year, I started January 19 at Lakewood. We had 20 practices before March. We went at least twice a week and had at least half the team most of the time.”
The commitment pushed the Tigers over the top. On April 29 (moved to Lakewood because of weather), No. 1 doubles team of Zach Grimes and Jamie Hollis defeated Marion Harding, 6-1, 6-1 and then dispatched Ontario, 6-1, 6-0, in the finals.
No. 2 doubles team of Nate Barre and John Evans got to the finals with wins over Clear Fork (6-1, 6-4) and Shelby (6-4, 3-6, 6-1) before falling to Ontario in the final, 6-1, 6-2.
Matt Gimbel, at No. 1 singles also got to the finals with wins over Harding (6-1, 6-0) and River Valley (6-4, 6-3). But Gimbel lost a heartbreaker to Pleasant’s Dane Williams, 2-6, 6-4, 5-7.
At No. 2 singles, Chris Amick, after a bye, beat Clear Fork, 6-4, 6-4, and then downed Pleasant, 6-3, 6-1, to give the Tigers two wins and two runners-up.
Pawsey said the coaching staff’s teaching and stressing fundamentals was key to this year’s success.
“I don’t care what level you play at — high school or college — fundamentals are the key,” Pawsey said. “I did drills for all of them. I do lesson plans like a high school teacher. I tell them what to do at the start. It gets them to focus.”
Pawsey advances his instruction from skills to strategy as the season advances.
“I didn’t do strategy instruction until March,” Pawsey said. “I taught them how to size up the opponent. Everything I tell them they transfer to each other. It’s unbelievable.”
Beyond the MOAC title, the Tigers are getting recognition heading into the sectional tournaments. Tennis power Lexington received five seeds in the tournament and Galion got four.
Pawsey credited area facilities for helping his team along the way. He described Lakewood as “very reasonably priced and good for young people.”
The coach also appreciates the new courts at Heise Park in Galion, which are maintained by the city. Pawsey appreciates the efforts of the City of Galion, Mayor Tom O’Leary, and the Galion City School System.
In addition, Pawsey said Gar Gledhill — himself a former Galion tennis player — and the Freese Foundation donated six new nets this year.
With Monday’s win over Willard, the Tigers ran their season record to 14-2, 9-2 in the MOAC (not counting the tournament). It is the best season record in over 18 years in Galion.
“The kids have worked hard,” Pawsey said. “They earned what they got.”