Chris Anton was a valuable member to the Grace tennis team this past year and we caught up with him to get a few details on his likes and interests.

GBC Graduation Year: 2013

Major: Youth Ministry

Hometown: Muskegon

Also… 3 favorite movies……. Wall-e, Shawshank Redemption,

3 desert island cd’s……. Lifesong – Casting Crowns
Momentum – Tobymac
This is War – 30 Seconds to Mars

One person I’d love to meet……. Matthew Stafford

Most exciting place I’ve been on this planet is……. Hawaii

Greatest moment in my life (outside of receiving Christ) is……. Fall Semester of my sophomore year of College

Top 3 people who have impacted you in life……. Mother, Mark Carroll, Father

One life goal of mine is…… Impacting people in my community

Below is the progression that the Tigers continued to work on throughout the year. It’s a progression that all advanced players use in their tennis game.
S.T.E.P

See (Anticipation)
1) Enviornment
a. Court surface
b. Sun/wind
2) Opponent
a. Mental state
b. Physical state
c. Current situation
3) Technical cues
a. tactical tendency(do they have tendencies at 30-30 to chip a return)

Think (Decision Making)
1) Available shot options
a. Score and risk(Ex. 30-30 returning heavy down the middle verse looking for a return winner.)
c. Planned target area(Where are you looking to go with the ball..Ex. Nadal’s target area is only a few feet beyond the service line—with his spin and pace players still can’t step in.. give yourself some margin for error)
d. Shot type(What is most affective—slice low, high kick to the backhand side)

Execute (technique) receive/send/recover
1) Mental
a. attitude
b. confidence
c. commitment
d. focus
2) Physical
a. Relaxation(must be relaxed on grip to hit shots effectively..Ex. On your backswing I should be able to lift the racquet from your hand. If not, your grip is to tight)
b. Balance
c. Flexibility
d. Agility and speed
e. Strength and power
3) Technical
a. Footwork(split steping every shot—As opponent hits, your in the air coming down from your split step—Every shot of every point
b. Body mechanics(shoulders up)
c. Racquet mechanics

Produce Feedback (Evaluation)

Internal and external feedback.
External is from the coaches.. Internal is knowing what’s happening and making adjustments when necessary.

As the Grace tigers wrapped up their first year of tennis competition Coach Miedema had this to say about the future of the program. “We are looking to add numerous matches this coming year. We are looking to more than double our competition from this year and have between 15-20 matches in 2012. Furthermore, I know that our guys are motivated for the coming year. I know numerous players will be hitting this summer and focusing on greater consistency and developing more weapons in their game. I look forward to the program expanding, traveling with this team, and adding competition to our schedule.”
Look for the 2012 schedule to be available by the first of August.

The tigers fell to a talented CC team this past weekend. Despite encouragement from the Jamieson’s who made it to every match, the team couldn’t pull out a win. Coach Miedema explained, “the quick surface didn’t play to our advantage against this big serving, big forehand team. However, I thought we actually played pretty well and competed hard. By doing those things we’re headed in the right direction.”

Community College vs Grace Bible
CC wins 9-0
Friday at the MAC
Singles:
1) Zac Champers(CC) def Casey Duke(G) 6-1, 6-2
2) Keaton Briggs(CC) def Matt Kurtz(G) 6-1, 6-1
3) Matt Jackson(CC) def Cory Jamieson(G) 6-1, 6-3
4) Jacob Buck(CC) def Shelby Jamieson(G) 6-0, 6-1
5) Tim Hiskes(CC) def Chris Anton(G) 6-0, 6-1
6) Jordan Bowen(CC) def Andrew Dunn(G) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles:
1) Chambers/Briggs(CC) def Kurtz/C. Jamieson(G) 8-0
2) Navta/Bowen(CC) def Duke/S. Jamieson(G) 8-2
3) Hiskes/Buck(CC) def Dunn/Anton(G) 8-0

The Grace Tigers dropped two matches this past week verse Davenport and Adrian.
The Tigers took on Davenport in East Grand Rapids and lost 9-0 to a talented Davenport team. Coach Miedema acknowledged that ‘we played the best that I’ve seen all year. We had good racquet speed and footwork but when we left the ball short Davenport was aggressive and took advantage.’
Also this week Grace traveled to Adrian to take on the Bulldogs. Fighting strong, gusting winds the tigers lost to the bulldogs. Captain Casey Duke summarized the match well when he explained, “I hate the wind.”
The Tigers take on Grand Rapids Community College this week Friday April 22nd at the Michigan Athletic Club at 1pm.

Grace vs. Davenport(Wed.April 13th at 12:30) has been moved outdoors to EAST GRAND RAPIDS CANEPA courts located at lake drive and hall.

Grace won their first match in tennis history verse NAIA opponent Roosevelt University in Indiana on Saturday.
Grace Bible College vs. Roosevelt University in Indiana
Grace 8 Roosevelt 1

Singles:
1–Casey Duke(G) def Dan Northrop (R)8-2
2–Brandon Olaffson(R) def Andrew Dunn(G) 8-0
3–Chris Anton(G) def Cal Miles(R) 8-0
4–Andrew Clark(G) def Rashe Walters 8-0
5–Grace def Roosevelt(not contested)
6–Grace def Roosevelt(not contested)

Doubles:
1–Duke/Schmuland(G) def Northrop/Olaffson 8-1
2–Kurtz/Jamieson(G) def Miles/Waters 8-0
3–Grace def Roosevelt(not contested)

The Grace tigers took on division II St. Joseph’s College in Indiana on Friday night. The tigers fell short early going down 3-0 after doubles. After putting together some tough singles matches the tigers lost 9-0 to St. Joseph. Matt Kurtz put up the closest match in singles before falling 6-4, 7-5. The tigers are next in action Saturday afternoon in Indiana when they take on NAIA opponent Roosevelt University.

We caught up with senior captain Casey Duke.

Hometown: Bothell, WA
3 favorite movies: Maverick, Kingdom of Heaven, and The Patriot.

3 desert island cd’s: Toby Mac “Tonight”, Falling Up “Exit Lights” and David Crowder

One person i’d love to meet: Jesus

Most exciting place i’ve been on this planet: Multenoma Falls, Oregon (The actual waterfall)

Greatest moment in my life: Marrying my wife

Top three people who have impacted me: Steve (Father), Sheri (Mother), and Kevin Lane (youth pastor)

One life goal of mine: See as many youth as possible graduate from my youth group and continue to walk with Christ.

Grace verse Calvin

Grace welcomes a few returning players and several new players to it’s lineup. In playing order 1-6 the tigers have: Casey Duke, Joel Schmuland, Matt Kurtz, Cory Jamieson, Andy Clark, and Chris Anton.