Lakers' tennis has 3

named Div. 3 All-State

Tue, Nov 10, 2009    to del.icio.us

Spring Lake's No. 1 singles player, David Cook, as well as its No. 1 doubles team of Ben Esh-Nauta and Ian Kihnke, were recently named to the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association All-State team in Division 3.

Cook was a four-year singles standout for the Lakers, having played No. 2 his freshman season, then No. 1 the final three years. A four-time regional and conference champion, Cook concluded his career with a 113-28 record.

Esh-Nauta and Kihnke won their first 14 matches to open this season and finished with a stellar 34-4 mark.

It was Esh-Nauta's most successful season in doubles, having previously played with Nate Lee, Lance Fredrickson and Alek Kihnke.

BASSETT HONORED

Spring Lake varsity coach Charlie Bassett was recently honored by the Michigan High School Coaches Association as one of its "Coaches of the Year," during its 51st annual banquet in Lansing on Sunday.

Bassett was honored in girls' tennis, after leading the Lakers to a Lakes Eight Conference championship and a trip to the Division 3 state finals last spring.

Other area coaches who were honored included Muskegon Oakridge's Jack Shugars in football, East Kentwood's Dave Emeott in boys' track and Rockford's Don Rinehart in wrestling.

Bassett founded the Lakers' girls program in 1974, but announced that last spring would be his last season coaching the team. He continues to coach the Lakers' boys, having led them to a Lakes Eight Conference championship and a trip to the Division 3 finals in the fall.