This edition of Who Won the Week includes two teams that won not only the week but district tennis titles as well.
The Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School Cavaliers and the New Heights Christian Academy Cougars easily won their respective district titles and certainly deserve a spot in this week’s column, but it was my off-the-court observations that compel me to include some of the winners that are perhaps even more important in this week’s column.
I’ll start with my No. 1 winner of the week, New Heights tennis player Claire Eggleston. The New Heights senior displayed a level of grit, sportsmanship and empathy that left me nearly speechless after exiting the Cougars’ district title match against Forsyth on Thursday.
It wasn’t so much that Eggleston and her doubles partner, Violet Porter, battled back from a 1-5 deficit to win their match 8-6 — that’s the grit part — it’s more about Eggleston’s actions after the Cougars wrapped up the title that impressed me most.
After the two teams gathered for prayer following the match, it would have been perfectly understandable for Eggleston to immediately celebrate with her teammates. But Eggleston had more pressing issues to address — comforting a visibly distraught opponent.
After hugging and comforting a sobbing Forsyth player for a prolonged period of time, Eggleston emerged seemingly more upset than her opponent.
That kind of empathy just can’t be feigned, and it struck me to the core. We should all strive to be a little more like that New Heights senior. The world would definitely be a better place.
Eggleston wasn’t the only Cougar to console her opponent, but I couldn’t help but notice how truly sympathetic Eggleston in particular was to her Forsyth counterpart.
It reminded me that high school sports is about much more than wins and losses. It’s about learning sportsmanship, respect and — dare I say it? — empathy.
I witnessed still more sportsmanship when I covered the Joplin-Carthage volleyball match Thursday at Carthage High School.
On a night reserved to honor its own volleyball seniors, the Carthage Tigers took time out to honor the opposing team’s seniors.
Before receiving their traditional senior gift baskets from their teammates, the Tigers’ seniors strolled over to the Joplin bench and presented the Eagles’ seniors with roses. It was one of the classiest actions I have ever witnessed on a senior night and an impressive display of selflessness on the part of the Carthage seniors.
After the ceremony, both teams took to the floor for a highly competitive match (see related story).
That’s where the grit part comes in.
After Joplin jumped out to a 2-0 set lead, Carthage battled back to win the next two sets, setting up a tie-breaking fifth set.
Each point in that set was played out with grit by both teams, with double digit volleys on many of the points in a match that had every bit of the intensity of a postseason championship battle.
It was almost a shame that there had to be a loser in the match.
I think Eagles head coach Delice Downing summed it up best after the five-set marathon.
“It doesn’t matter what the score says,” Downing said. “I believe that we won because I am so proud of them. I am proud of their heart and proud of the dedication that they have put in.”
I am a stat geek, to be sure, and this column usually highlights some of the jaw-dropping numbers that our local athletes put up. But this week, I was driven to highlight some of the many displays of character I witnessed. I’m grateful to be able to experience those things — the moments that make my job truly rewarding and one of the main reasons I enjoy sports as much as I do. We’ll get back to the numbers next week.
Until then, try to be a little more like Claire Eggleston.