Abe Thorne

When this class started as freshman, Abe was basically a beginner at tennis. I mean, he had athletic skill, and he could hit the ball hard - but he had no strategy. Watching him play doubles with Evan was really entertaining because at times they looked like they were playing a different game: “Who can hit their serve into the net with the most velocity.” But last year was a turning point for Abe in tennis. Moved to singles after a slow start in doubles, he studied the game throughout the season. He learned how to find others weaknesses. Then he had a win streak of 13 matches, including a tournament title. Then he became #1 this season.

Following Nate Brendle, no one was going to live up to last year. But Abe has struggled for different reasons this year... whether it be great opponents, the heat, low energy, injuries. He has had to face different struggles. But he’s faced them without ever stopping his effort. I think I saw this quality early in him, when I had him come and open the shed every day of the summer for anyone who wanted to come play. Or last season, when he stayed after practice every day to play with Ike Lehman. To get better. Given the opportunity, he will put in the study and the effort. Last year, he did that while he was winning. This year, he’s had to continue that despite some losses.

Our season’s theme has been blessing. I consider this verse from James about Abe:

“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”

Abe, be blessed as you continue to persevere, to face adversity with study and effort. To face the world with compassion and mercy.

Abe Thorne

Career Records
Most Wins in a Season: 15 (2012)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Team Sectionals
Longest Winning Streak: 13 matches (2012)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 11 sets
Biggest Win: 6-0, 6-0; Cory Hollified (Prairie Heights), Dennis Feitz (Laville), Doug Hapner (Wawasee)
Closest Win: 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), (16-14); Cole Peterson/Austin Ward (Jimtown)
Career Tiebreakers Won: 12
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 75%
Career 3rd Sets Won: 5
Season 3rd Sets Won: 3 (2012)
Career Games Won Percentage: 46.4%
Season Games Won Percentage: 57.0% (2012)
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 83.3%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 3
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 6

2013: 8-12
#1S - Jimtown - Mikey Pawlak (11) - 4-6, 5-7
#1S - Northridge - Josh Garfein (12) - 2-6, 2-6
#1S - Goshen - Hudson Kay (10) - 6-4, 6-4
#1S - Concord - Nick Polluck (12) - 1-6, 3-6
#1S - Columbia City - Niko Rongos (10) - 6-7 (5), 6-4, 1-2 injury default
#1S - Prairie Heights - Cory Hollifield (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#1S - Triton - Dean Howdeshell (12) - 1-6, 1-6
#1S - Westview - Kohle Christner - 5-7, 2-6
#1S - NorthWood - Mitchell Keiser (12) - 6-2, 6-1
#1S - Marian - Jack Julien (12) - 0-6, 0-6
#1S - Blackhawk - Jeremy Hoover (11) - 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
#1S - Centerville - Brady Wagenknecht (11) - 3-6, 4-6
#1S - Triton - Dean Howdeshell (12) - 0-6, 6-4, (10-2)
#1S - Highland - Jeff Michner - 1-6, 5-7
#1S - Fairfield - Austin Christner (12) - 2-6, 0-6
#1S - Bremen - Tommy Foster (10) - 6-1, 6-0
#1S - Taylor - Jack Lipchik (12) - 1-6, 0-6
#1S - Wabash - JD Boone (12) - 1-6, 6-1, (10-0)
#1S - Eastern - Ryan Manfred (9) - 6-1, 6-1
#1S - Fairfield - Austin Christner (12) - 1-6, 2-6


2012: 15-7
#1D - Northridge - Andrew Gingerich (12)/Byron Slabach (12) - 3-6, 2-6 - L
#1D - Goshen - Sam Stegelman (11)/Sylas Buller (11) - 4-6, 1-6 - L
#3S - Concord - Jared Searer (11) - 6-4, 1-6, 6-7 (4) - L
#3S - Columbia City - Drew Benedict (12) - 5-7, 3-6 - L
#3S - Fremont - Logan Miller (9) - 6-0, 6-2 - W
#3S - Jimtown - Dan Gongwer (12) - 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 - W
#3S - Laville - Dennis Feitz - 6-0, 6-0 - W
#3S - Prairie Heights - Nick Bennett (11) - 6-1, 6-0 - W
#3S - Triton - Jared Fisher (10) - 6-2, 6-0 - W
#3S - Westview - Hunter Christner - 6-1, 6-3 - W
#3S - NorthWood - Abe Robinson (12) - 7-5, 6-2 - W
#3S - Blackhawk Christian - Chase Ramsey (11) - 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4) - W
#3S - Elkhart Central - Jake Mullins (12) - 7-6 (5), 6-4 - W
#3S - Wawasee - Doug Hepner (11) - 6-0, 6-0 - W
#3S - Triton - Jared Fisher (10) - 7-6 (5), 6-3 - W
#3S - Portage - Zach Smith (12) - 6-3, 4-6, (10-7) - W
#3S - Fairfield - Landon Knepp (12) - 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 - W
#2S - Bremen - Jalen Bayer (12) - 2-6, 4-6 - L
#2S - Taylor - Logan Barnes (12) - 2-6, 3-6 - L
#2S - Wabash - Edward Dillard (11) - 0-6, 0-6 - L
#2S - Eastern - Logan Colwell - 6-0, 6-1 - W
#2S - Jimtown - Jake Ward (12) - 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 - W
2011: 6-14
#1D – Northridge - Alex Radelich (12)/Andrew Gingerich (11) – 1-6, 0-6
#1D – Goshen – Sam Stegelmann (10)/Sylas Buller (10) – 0-6, 3-6
#1D – Rochester – Brant Eytcheson (10)/Alec Gehrich (10) – 6-1, 6-3
#1D – Jimtown – Cole Peterson (11)/Austin Ward (11) – 6-7 (2), 7-6 (4), (16-14)
#2D – Concord – T Cunningham (11)/Tony Fenech (10) – 0-6, 1-6
#1D – Columbia City – Ryan Flauding (12)/Dalton VanHouten (10) – 7-6 (5), 7-6 (2)
#1D – Fremont – Tyler Jenkins (11)/Jake Bryant (11) – 2-6, 0-6
#3S – Laville – Won by default
#3S – Prairie Heights – Justin Clark (10) – 6-1, 6-1
#1D – Triton – Austin Kanarr (12)/Josh Shafer (12) – 3-6, 1-6
#1D – Westview – Nic Hostetler (12)/Devin Bontrager (12) – 2-6, 0-6
#1D – Elkhart Central – Mitch Hanberg (12)/Austin Sellers (12) – 1-6, 0-6
#2D – Lowell – Johnny Goodrich (12)/Delner Fleming (10) – 6-2, 6-7 (9), (10-2)
#2D – Triton – Wil Rettinger (12)/Jackson Downing (12) – 5-7, 1-6
#2D – Highland – Nick Lindsey (12)/Tyler Porter (11) – 2-6, 5-7
#3S – Fairfield – Landon Knepp (11) – 1-6, 0-6
#1D – Bremen – Austin Huff (12)/TJ Bayer (12) – 2-6, 6-1, 3-6
#1D – Taylor – Cameron Clark (12)/Drew Hansen (11) – 3-6, 0-6
#1D – NorthWood – Jayson Linhart (12)/Ben Zercher (12) – 3-6, 5-7
#1D - Fairfield - Loss
2010: JV - 8-10; V - 1-0; Overall - 9-10
#1DJV – Northridge – Connor Cameron (11)/Andrew Gingerich (10) – 4-8 

#1DJV – Goshen - Sylas Buller (10)/Sam Stegelmann (10) – 2-8
#3SJV – Columbia City – Clayton Verberkmoes (12) – 8-1
#1SJV – Fremont – Jake Bryant (10) – 5-8
#1DJV – Jimtown – 8-4
#1DJV – Concord – Unknown – 1-8
#1SJV – Laville – Hunter Horvath (11) – 8-0
#2SJV – Laville – Andrew Hullinger (9) – 8-0
#1DJV – Triton - Darrin Harrell (9)/Jack Oldham (9) – 6-8
#2SJV – Westview - Jake Churney (10) – 8-4
#1D – Churubusco - Grant Stephan/Caleb Bonar – 6-1, 7-6
#3SJV – NorthWood – Abe Robinson (10) – 8-9 (4)
#1DJV – LaLumiere – Gavin O’Brien (10)/Alex Friedman (10) – 2-6
#1DJV – Warsaw (Black) – 6-8
#1DJV – Warsaw (Orange) – Loss
#1DJV – 7th Place Match - Win
#2SJV – Fairfield - Landon Knepp (10) – 2-8
#3SJV – Bremen – Wes Burkholder (10) – 0-3 (WIN)
#1DJV – Tippecanoe Valley – Kyle Alexander (11)/Trey Peterson (9) – 8-5