Tennis Team Wins Conference; Two Grayslake Players Head To State

It has been an amazing year for tennis in Grayslake, as the Rams won the Fox Valley Conference for the first time. And this Saturday, Mitch Granger of Central and Nate Campanile of North are both returning two time state qualifiers who are headed to the state championships.

They were the only two tennis players from Grayslake who advanced to the single-elimination tournament which begins today.

Granger took first in sectionals winning his matches 6-0, 6-0 - 6-0, 6-0 - 6-0, 6-2 - 6-4, 6-0. 

Campanile took third in sectionals and won 6-0, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2, losing to second-place finisher from Warren 3-6, 1-6, and winning 6-1, 6-3 over Warren's other singles player to take third.

Patch spoke with Central's coaches about their team's success this year.

"Our best player by far is Mitch Granger," said Charles "Chuck" Lawson, who has been coaching tennis at GCHS for the four years. "He started out with me his freshman and sophomore year and then went to Florida his junior year. But I truly cannot take credit for any of his accomplishments. His father is an excellent player and started Mitch playing probably as soon as he could walk and carry a racquet. With some of the other kids I would like to think that I was somewhat responsible for some their achievements."

Granger is 30-1 this year with his only loss due primarily to being hampered with a cramp in his leg. "Mitch is a great kid and a real leader. He just won male athlete of the year at GCHS and that’s a first for a tennis player," said Lawson.

As a team, Grayslake Central went into the conference tournament last weekend with 65 points to Crystal Lake South’s 68. At the end of the tournament, the Rams had earned a total of 149 points to Crystal Lake South’s 145 to become conference champions.

"All thirteen teams are in this tournament, so there are no split divisions of 6 or 7 schools," said Lawson.

The head JV coach and assistant varsity coach is Katie Lashbrook.

"Katie is awesome. She is a USPTA member (United States Professional Tennis Association). She also coaches at the Winnetka Racquet Club. She is the best. We both started out here four years ago. With her connections, I give her all the credit for getting us space to practice in the winter," said Lawson.

Playing #1 singles for the Rams this year was Granger, #2 was senior Steven Kveton and #3 was senior Anatoily Mykhaylovskyy.

Playing at #1 doubles for the Rams this year was Jack Lettenmair and Drew Carpenter, #2 doubles team was John Lashbrook and Tim Adornetto, #3 doubles was Scott Schluz and Derek Schaltz and #4 doubles was Jon Khou and Eric Horan.

Lawson, known as one of the nicest guys coaching at GCHS, had taught for 30 years at Oak Lawn Community High School where he had also coached tennis and wrestling.

"I love it here," said Lawson of GCHS. "The kids are so nice. It’s been a lot of fun. The first four years were rough as we grew the program, but now four years later we’re conference champs."

One of the strengths of this year’s team was the way they pulled for each other.

"After they finish their individual matches, the kids will race over to cheer on their teammates in their matches," said Lawson. "My seniors have been with me for four years and put in their time during the summer and winter indoors to improve their game and strategy."

Others praised Lawson for his style.

"Coach Lawson is great. He is so enthusiastic and done wonderful things for the tennis program at Grayslake Central," said Coach Katie Lashbrook.

"It's great to play for Coach Lawson," said Granger. "He has us working hard to play well and get prepared for the state tournament."