Senior Video

A photo tribute to this year's seniors!

Senior Statement #5: Landon Weldy

Landon to me exemplifies faithfulness through struggle. His freshman season was a general success with a winning JV record and even getting a varsity win. Sophomore year however, was a struggle as he ended with a losing record. Junior year Landon broke into the varsity with 8 straight wins before hitting a tough patch in the middle of the season. And this year started rough and is stalled right now because of injury.

So Landon has each year faced difficulty, but he is a true example of never letting go of what is important. He fixes his eyes on what is good, what God is doing, and makes it through. His hope, his faithfulness, have always been rewarded. But even more importantly than that, his faithfulness to the team and to God have always been rewarding to others. As we discuss God at tennis camp, his thoughts have encouraged others to stay faithful to Jesus. As we struggle to improve in tennis, his faithful practice example and encouragement have pushed others to get better.

This is a beautiful testament to the way that Landon lives. He has a natural leadership about him that flows out of his character. People trust that Landon will always be there. I pray that Landon will continue to be faithful, eyes fixed on Jesus, and that he will encourage many with his example in life.

Hebrews 12
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Previous Senior Statements
Ryan Duckworth
Sol Brenneman
Hans Miller
Jesse Amstutz

Letters from Mishawaka Marian

Dear Team,
Let's call it a winning night, okay? We were leading at all positions when the rain struck. Then we went on to have a blast eating hamburgers and brats, downing cake and homemade ice cream. That sounds like a winning night.

As far as our play went, you are continuing to impress me. Byeong was a mere six points from victory after playing only 21 minutes. The rest of us had put our 21 minutes to good use too, as we were leading by a set at 4 of the 5 positions (and Jesse was up big, but not finished, with his 1st set). This wouldn't have happened at the beginning of the season. We are learning to take care of our mental preparation and go out and play the way we want to play.

That sounds like winning also. So we'll call it a winning night.

Dear Seniors,
You are an outstanding group of young men. In choosing my words about you, I was inspired by the fruits of the Holy Spirit that I see so strongly in your lives. You are men of patience, goodness, faithfulness, peace and joy (and more - those were just the ones I identified). And I say this with all sincerity despite it's sappiness... I love you all. Thanks for diving in to this group of guys, and giving it your all. Can't wait to finish this season out in joy with you!

Dear Parents,
I was overwhelmed by your help last night. Decorating the courts, hanging banners, dumping straw down for my coaching area, putting up new scorecards, cooking dinner, preparing senior gifts... I was so surprised and humbled that I don't think I probably said enough to thank you. Many of your kind words were also appreciated. You do much more than is necessary, but you help make the tennis team excellent with that extra work. We couldn't be who we are without all of you.




Dear God,
In the difficulties of rain outs and rushing around to make things work, it's easy to get hassled and harried and upset. And then aim that frustration at You. Thank You for reminding us that You are actually our place of rest. Last night, the tennis got canceled but the more important thing went on: Our celebration of how You are forming us into Your character. You are at work in the lives of this team, help us to see it and to follow You. Amen.

Moment of Sheer Beauty
Only 5 matches got onto the courts last night, so less choices would seemingly make it easy on me. However, we were playing so well last night that I didn't get to see a lot of long points, the ones that often stick in my mind. But for a beautiful player, we need to look no further than Byeong Min Lim. His serves last night we things of beauty, curving down suddenly into the box and slicing into the body of his opponent. Time after time Byeong won quick service games as his serves forced early errors or short balls that he came and finished. It nice to see him play so smoothly, though I wish he could have finished the last six points!

Moment of Savage Beauty
Ethan Lapp has been playing great. I just don't know that we'd always call it savage. This is the part of his game that will continue to grow as he gets more matches at varsity singles. But tonight, I began to see him end points emphatically more often. In the first game of the match, with Ryan serving, the Bruins saw the score go to deuce several times. We looked a little tight, starting the match, and I didn't want to see this game go the wrong way. After an error from the Knights, we had the advantage and Ethan got a backhand overhead in the next point. Swinging with authority, he slapped the backhand between the Knight players and into the hitting wall to seal the close game for the Bruins. There was never really another close game after that.

SCORES

Varsity
#1S - Jesse Amstutz - 4-2 - David Hicks (12)
#2S - Byeong Min Lim - 6-1, 4-0 - Sam Cressey (12)
#3S - Sol Brenneman - 6-1, 1-0 - Max White (10)
#1D - Hans Miller/Simon Hurst - 6-0, 1-0 - Zac Ericson (12)/Cameron Rafinski (9)
#2D - Ryan Duckworth/Ethan Lapp - 6-0, 1-0 - Domonik Rafinski (9)/Evan Kovatch (10)

Letters, September 12

Dear Team,
The last two nights of practice have been cold and rainy, yet I think they've been two of our best practices. The goal of the season is to play how we want to play, and we're definitely moving in that direction. Take the confidence of these past two practices into the matches that we play in the next few nights.

Dear Landon,
No lying, I was crushed to hear that your injury is going to keep you from competing. As a senior, I have loved your commitment to the team and to tennis. I'm sad I don't get to see that as much on the court for awhile. But I'm calling you right now to another important role. This team is still looking for a vocal leader. Let that be you. Take over this team, both in practice and at matches. Push us along to greatness. You have the God-given leadership ability to do it.

Dear Ethan,
I'm so glad to have you on this team because you've worked so hard. You were as dedicated as anyone during the offseason. You've been at every practice, extra session, summer open court, and succeeded thus far on the varsity. Go attack the rest of this season with confidence. Form a sheer and savage team with Ryan and find your joy!

Dear Jesse,
Tonight, as you play and participate as a teammate, find your joy. I'm borrowing that phrase from Seth, but do the things that make tennis fun. Do the things that make you laugh. Do the things that make you feel awesome. You may struggle, you may breeze through. But ultimately, I will always remember you for the process you've already gone through. From freshman season where nothing seemed to go right, to the maturing during your sophomore year in Paraguay, to your decision and commitment to tennis over the past two seasons, to your work with the kids in Bright Times the last two years (who love you!) and the time you put in for our team this year (often being the rallying partner with Ethan and Simon). Seeing that growth is where I find my joy.

Dear God,
You've given us incredible gifts. Gifts of family, gifts of tennis brothers, gifts of talent, gifts of weather, gifts of good food and even things like support from our maintenance staff who graciously repainted our courts this summer. Even with the difficult things, like injuries and difficult losses and losses of concentration and too much homework (to grade), I'm still so grateful. But honestly, I've been most grateful for Your presence. You've been there for me to talk to when I've been down and when I've been thankful. I love You, and being able to be honest with You has been the best part of this season. As it gets intense, and comes to an end, remind us all of the things that don't come to an end. Which is only You.

Letters, August 19

Dear Landon and Ryan,
Thanks for taking the time to go out to lunch with me today. But really, thanks for talking it out honestly and understanding. It's a difficult thing to be brothers with all of you and also be your coach. It's a balance that I struggle with every year. I want to thank you for committing to work through this with the team. We will persevere. This season, and every season, is about finding our starting point and working from there. We know what we need to work on. Let's do it. Let's move forward with confidence, and play with control. Let's continue to get those mental hiccups out in honesty, and pray to move past them.

Dear Byeong,
Keep talking to me. I want to know what's going on in your head. First of all, because I care about you. Secondly, only then can we find a way forward. I'm so glad we had a chance to talk about the "Triangle" of a tennis match - the mental, strategical and technical parts that have to come together to win. But it was even better to hear of your frustration, because it means that you care too.

Dear Sherry Good,
Thanks for caring about the good of our tennis team. Thanks for being a place for them to talk. Thanks for being a mother to a young man who is living without his mother right now. I love working at Bethany because I know that no one will fall through the cracks without someone making an effort to connect.

Dear Northridge,
Sorry. We should have played. That's all. I'm sorry.

Dear God,
If I'm being honest, I'm already breaking down. I'm stressed at school, stressed with tennis, stressed about making calls whether or not to play matches - and now I'm sick. I'm giving this all to You. I'm going to try to breathe deeper and remember You are as close as my every breath. That is where joy is.

Landon Weldy

Career Records
Most Wins in a Season: 14 (2013)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Team Regionals
Longest Winning Streak: 8 matches (2013)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 7 sets (2013)
Biggest Win: 6-1, 6-1; v. Taylor Vigar/Jalen Grier (Wabash)
Closest Win: 6-3, 4-6, 6-3; v. James Dugle/Aadarsh Patel (Northridge)
Career Tiebreakers Won: 2
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 66.7%
Career 3rd Sets Won: 4
Season 3rd Sets Won: 2
Career Games Won Percentage: 57.5%
Season Games Won Percentage: 60.0% (2014)
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 66.7%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 0
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 14 (2013)

2014

(7-3)
#2D - Jimtown - Isaac Pope (11)/ Ben Clarke (9) - 7-5, 5-7, 3-6
#1DJV - Goshen - Zach Ganger (11)/Hugh Birky (10) - 6-8
#4SJV - Goshen - Simon Myers (9) - 4-8
#1DJV - Concord - Tate Nicoson (10)/Brandon Pletcher (10) - 8-3
#1DJV - Fremont - Drew Sullivan (12)/Connor McCann (12) - 8-1
#2D - West Noble - Trey Waring (12)/Jacob Musselman (11) - 6-2, 7-6 (3)
#1D - Prairie Heights - Logan Walter/Justin O'Connor - 6-1, 6-1
#2D - Triton - Ben Waggoner (12)/Spencer Glingle (12) - 4-6, 6-0, 6-2
#2D - Northridge - James Dugle (10)/Aadarsh Patel (11) - 6-3, 4-6, 6-3
#1DJV - Westview - Benson Stoltzfus (11)/Ryan Barker (9) - 8-3








2013: Varsity: 14-7
#2D - Jimtown - Isaac Pope (10)/Hunter Price (10) - 6-1, 6-0
#2D - Northridge - Austen Schmidt (10)/Aadarsh Patel (10) - 6-3, 6-3
#2D - Goshen - Zach Ganger (11)/Andrew Vetter (11) - 6-2, 6-2
#2D - Concord - Mitchell Lozier (12)/Nathan Herman (9) - 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
#2D - Columbia City - won by default
#2D - Fremont - Alberto Figueroa (11)/Connor McHann (11) - 6-3, 7-5
#2D - Prairie Heights - Justin Sutera (10)/Cody Hicks (10) - 6-1, 6-2
#2D - Triton - Austin Sellers (11)/Alex Eib (11) - 6-3, 6-3
#2D - Westview - Zack Schrock/Taylor Eash - 1-6, 6-7 (4)
#2D - NorthWood - Devyn Maugel (11)/Nick Myers (11) - 6-4, 4-6, 4-6
#2D - Marian - Conner Dalton (12)/David Hicks (11) - 4-6, 0-6
#2D - Blackhawk - Triston Mills (12)/Joel Vastbinder (11) - 6-1, 6-1
#2D - Lowell - Zeb Johnson (10)/Tyler Damm (12) - 5-7, 2-6
#2D - Portage - Michael Lakomek (9)/Alex Tjoris (10) - 2-6, 0-6
#2D - Wawasee - Luke Smith (12)/Tyler Hutchinson (11) - 6-4, 7-6
#2D - Fairfield - Samuel Clayton (12)/Isaac Miller (9) - 6-2, 3-6, 5-7
#2D - Bremen - Ryker Hand (10)/Chandler Snyder (9) - 6-2, 6-3
#2D - Taylor - Conner Leicht (10)/Treavor Harris (10) - 6-2, 7-5
#2D - Wabash - Taylor Vigar (11)/Jalen Grier (12) - 6-1, 6-1
#2D - Eastern - Daniel Pugh (11)/Riley Haupert (12) - 3-6, 3-6
#2D - Fairfield - Samuel Clayton (12)/Isaac Miller (9) - 4-6, 6-2, 6-3


2012: JV: 6-11, Varsity: 1-0

#1SJV - Northridge - Landon Arnold (10) - 4-8 - L

#2SJV - Goshen - Luke Rush (9) - 5-8 - L

#1DJV - Concord - Riley Huffer (9)/Mitch Boyer (9) - 6-7 (3) - L

#1DJV - Fremont - Derek Fischer (11)/Jordan Sanderson (11) - 6-0 - W

#2SJV - NorthWood - ? - 0-6, 1-6 - L
#3SJV - Jimtown - ? - 4-6, 3-6 - L

#1DJV - Concord - ? / ? - 6-3, 6-7 (5), (4-10) - L

#1DJV - Triton - Alex Eib (10)/Austin Sellers (10) - 4-8 - L

#2SJV - Westview - 8-3 - W

#1DJV - NorthWood - Ryan Menzie (10)/Evan Nix (10) - 4-8 - L

#1DJV - Blackhawk Christian - Adam Smith (9)/Ross Norton (9) - 8-4 - W

#1DJV - Elkhart Central - Matt Morrison (12)/Scott Hanberg (10) - 6-2 - W

#3SJV - Angola - Andy Bauer - 2-8 - L

#3SJV - DeKalb - Will Schabb - 6-8 - L

#3SJV - FW Snider - Ashton McKuras - 8-1 - W

#1DJV - Fairfield - Nathan Azzarito (10)/Joseph Line (10) - 4-8 - L

#1DJV - Bremen - ??? / ??? - 8-2 - W

#1D - Howe - ??? / ??? - 6-0, 6-0 - W

2011: JV: 8-6; Varstiy: 1-1
#2DJV – Northridge – Ryan Taylor (10)/Landon Arnold (9) – 7-9
#3SJV – Goshen – David Smucker (9) – 8-2
#1DJV – Fremont – Cole Trombley (10)/Derek Fischer (10) – 8-3
#3SJV – Rochester – Alex Denny (10) – 6-3, 6-1
#2DJV – Jimtown – Nick Beron (10)/Brock Johnson (9) – 6-3, 6-0
#2SJV – Concord – Jared Searer (10) – 2-6, 2-6
#3SJV – Triton – Chase Eyrich (9) – 8-2
#2SJV – Westview – John Campos (9) – 8-2
#2SJV – Elkhart Central – Jake Mullins (11) – 6-2
#1S – Churubusco - Loss
#1SJV – Angola - Eric Ruff – 2-8
#1SJV – Fremont #2 – Trevor Stiefken – 8-3
#1SJV – Leo - Loss
#2SJV – Fairfield – Drew Cosby (11) – 0-6
#2SJV – Bremen –Krent Hueni (9) – 3-8
#2S – Howe – Matt McDonald (12) – 6-2, 6-2