Kathryn Wilson
Kathryn Wilson will look to add to the history books again on Saturday.
The Columbus North senior will be back in familiar territory when she competes in the Girls Tennis Singles State Finals at North Central.
Wilson captured the state singles title last year and is considered a favorite to repeat as champion. With having the experience and atmosphere of the state tournament last year, Wilson is looking to come in with the same mindset.
“Last year worked out well for me, so honestly I have to go in thinking that if something isn’t working, I’ll switch it,” Wilson said. “I’ll probably just try and stick to the same stuff like moving my feet, hitting the ball deep, moving them around, things like that.”
Wilson’s path to the state championship consists of some usual suspects.
Senior Emma Gu of West Lafayette Harrison and senior Isabelle May of Lawrence North both were in the state singles tournament last year and are in it again this year.
Wilson defeated Gu in the quarterfinals of the state singles tournament last year. May lost to South Bend St. Joseph’s Molly Bellia in three sets in the quarterfinal round of last year’s tournament. Bellia, who eventually lost to Wilson in the state championship match in three sets, did not make it back this year after falling to Gu in the team state finals.
“I’m going to do the same rituals as last year,” Wilson said, “Knowing what it feels like and the nervousness aspect, I think having that experience is going to calm me already for this year.”
Wilson won’t have to play until the semifinal round after drawing an opening-round bye and will advance to the semifinals. There are six girls remaining in the singles championship.
Wilson will face the winner between May and Warsaw junior Addison Lind at 10 a.m. Saturday. The other half of the semifinal draw consists of Gu playing the winner between Marion sophomore Shaeli Castaneda and Washington junior Lacy Hancock. The semifinal winners will play in the championship match at around 2 p.m. Saturday.
May is favored to be Wilson’s opponent in the semifinal match.
“At the beginning of the season, I think this was her goal with her senior year, was to come back a second year and try to repeat. She’s worked for that all season,” North coach Kendal Hammel said. “Mentally, I think she’s ready for it. She’s mentally tough. She’s been there before. She’s excited about the opportunity, and being possibly favored isn’t a big deal for her. She will be ready no matter what. She’s worked hard to get to this point.”
