My favorite thing about Russell Klassen is his two-handed forehand.
That may seem weird, but let me explain.
Nobody in the world (except for his brother Wes) uses a two-handed forehand. It's not taught in any schools of tennis, it would be the first thing tossed out if Russell ever took lessons, and it drives tennis coaches crazy.
But not me. Because I realized something early on with Russell. He was good at that two-handed forehand and he knew it. He could pound it down-the-line at somebody's chest in doubles. He could stretch with it to keep balls in play. He could pound it crosscourt and dominate a crosscourt battle. He could even change the grip a bit and chip and slice it when needed.
He had a "weapon" and he knew how to use it to his advantage.
But really, I'm just using the two-handed forehand as a metaphor for what I really love about Russell. I love that he is comfortable with who he is, and isn't afraid to be that in front of everyone. Just like his two-handed forehand, he didn't hide his personality from the team. He is fun-loving and funny. He is extroverted like crazy. He was the most memorable person on all of our trips to Pizza King, Ruby Tuesday's, etc.
He is Russell, and I'm finding that that is hard to describe. Energetic, care-free, winning, goofy, and many other things. He's just Russell, and he's okay with that.
Showing posts with label Russell Klassen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russell Klassen. Show all posts
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Doubles Dominance
When Daniel Buschert and Mikey Kelly compiled a 20-2 record at #2 doubles on our Sectional winning team of 2008, I thought I'd never see a Bethany doubles team dominate their position like Mikey and Daniel did. Sure, there would probably be an uber-talented singles player to dominate their position (like Mike Mallet of the late 90's or Seth Krabill this year), but for two players to combine for such brilliance, especially at a school as small as we are? Would we ever be that deep of a team again?
And two years later, I'm sitting here reflecting on what the combination of Russell Klassen and Blake Shetler did this year.
19 wins at #2 doubles...
only 1 loss together...
And it wasn't that they skated through an easy schedule. Daniel and Mikey faced the likes of Penn, Northridge, Concord. Russell and Blake took down teams from Northridge and Concord too, but threw in a win over a state-qualifying Valparaiso team. They also got a win over the Fairfield #2 doubles team that didn't lose until the Semi-State round against Munster.
Something Russell and Blake clicked. Russell could be emotional, Blake was often reserved. Russell pounded his forehand, Blake had a great backhand. Russell controlled the net with pokes and drop-shots, Blake commanded the net with overhead putaways. They spurred each other to play better, and in times of nervousness they covered for each other, like Russell denying a match point for Valparaiso with a killer crosscourt forehand and then Blake finishing it off with a big serve.
And perhaps we'll never see the likes of this partnership again in Bruin's doubles. Of course, last time I thought that about a 20-2 team, we had these guys step up for 19-1. What's next, 18-0?
And two years later, I'm sitting here reflecting on what the combination of Russell Klassen and Blake Shetler did this year.
19 wins at #2 doubles...
only 1 loss together...
And it wasn't that they skated through an easy schedule. Daniel and Mikey faced the likes of Penn, Northridge, Concord. Russell and Blake took down teams from Northridge and Concord too, but threw in a win over a state-qualifying Valparaiso team. They also got a win over the Fairfield #2 doubles team that didn't lose until the Semi-State round against Munster.
Something Russell and Blake clicked. Russell could be emotional, Blake was often reserved. Russell pounded his forehand, Blake had a great backhand. Russell controlled the net with pokes and drop-shots, Blake commanded the net with overhead putaways. They spurred each other to play better, and in times of nervousness they covered for each other, like Russell denying a match point for Valparaiso with a killer crosscourt forehand and then Blake finishing it off with a big serve.
And perhaps we'll never see the likes of this partnership again in Bruin's doubles. Of course, last time I thought that about a 20-2 team, we had these guys step up for 19-1. What's next, 18-0?
Monday, January 24, 2011
Russell Klassen Amazement!
Russell played two varsity seasons for the Bruins. In those two seasons, he racked up a total of 32 wins! That's incredible, but what's even more incredible is his winning percentage. Russell won a whopping 78% of the varsity matches that he participated in.
Russell follows in his brother Wes's footsteps, as Wes Klassen played two seasons for the Bruin varsity in 2005-2006. While Russell played doubles, Wes was a singles player, playing all his matches at 2-3 singles. But when it comes to the record books, Russell trumps his older brother (much like my little brother did to all my records).
I have to say though, it's awesome to have a family like the Klassen come through and be part of the Bethany tennis family. It's hard to imagine the past four years without Russell, as he's given a lot of confidence the team as well as his talent. In his sophomore season, Russell completed an undefeated season, which he almost duplicated this year.
What's even more difficult to believe is that next year will be a season without a Klassen. Not one at the school, not one on the tennis team. It will be the first time for us since 2004. But thanks Russell, for sending the family out in style on the court. An excellent season that we'll need to celebrate now that it is actually Russell Klassen week!
Russell follows in his brother Wes's footsteps, as Wes Klassen played two seasons for the Bruin varsity in 2005-2006. While Russell played doubles, Wes was a singles player, playing all his matches at 2-3 singles. But when it comes to the record books, Russell trumps his older brother (much like my little brother did to all my records).
I have to say though, it's awesome to have a family like the Klassen come through and be part of the Bethany tennis family. It's hard to imagine the past four years without Russell, as he's given a lot of confidence the team as well as his talent. In his sophomore season, Russell completed an undefeated season, which he almost duplicated this year.
What's even more difficult to believe is that next year will be a season without a Klassen. Not one at the school, not one on the tennis team. It will be the first time for us since 2004. But thanks Russell, for sending the family out in style on the court. An excellent season that we'll need to celebrate now that it is actually Russell Klassen week!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Russell Klassen
Career Records
Most Wins in a Season: 17 (2010)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Team Sectionals
Longest Winning Streak: 15 (2010)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 13 (2010)
Biggest Win: 6-0, 6-0; vs. Hans Guntert/Luke Tang, LaLumiere; vs. Matt Henderson/Jack Stein, Wabash; vs. Grant Frick/Hunter Horvath, LaVille; vs. Andrew Biddle, Churubusco
Closest Win: v. Cody Hinton/Nathan Gotshall, Taylor (6-7 (3), 6-3, (10-7))
Career Tiebreakers Won: 3
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 50%
Career 3rd Sets Won: 3
Season 3rd Sets Won: 2 (2010)
Career Games Won Percentage: 67.0%
Season Games Won Percentage: 74.7%
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 50%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 2
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 12
2010
#2D – Northridge – AJ Thielking (11)/Doug Jakubowicz (11) – 6-2, 6-3
#2D – Goshen – Eli Metzler-Prieb (11)/Paul Johnson (11) – 6-1, 6-2
#2D – Fremont – Kaleb Hayes (9)/Brandin Ross (12) – 6-1, 6-0
#2D – Rochester – Max Hsu (12)/Taylor Beck (11) – 6-3, 6-2
#2D – Concord – Bronson DuMont (11)/Matt Ciesielski (11) – 6-0, 6-1
#2D – Prairie Heights – Brodie Rice (12)/Donald Cook (10) – 6-2, 6-0
#2D – Triton – Josh Shafer (11)/Clay Yeo (10) – 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
#2D – Westview – Austin Schlabach (11)/Devin Bontreger (11) – 6-2, 6-4
#2D – NorthWood – Austin Sanders (9)/Mitchell Keiser (9) – 6-0, 6-1
#1D – LaLumiere – Hans Guntert (12)/Luke Tang (10) – 6-0, 6-0
#2D – Valparaiso – Jordan Hyde/Tyler Costas – 6-2, 4-6, (12-10)
#2D – Fairfield – Nate Kropf (12)/Josh Ketcham (12) – 6-0, 6-1
#2D – Bremen - Austin Huff (11)/Brad Foster (10) – 6-1, 7-6 (3)
#2D – Taylor - Jack Lipchik (9)/Casey Glick (9) – 6-2, 6-0
#2D – Wabash - Matt Henderson (12)/Jack Stein (10) – 6-0, 6-0
#2D – Eastern - Adam McKinney (11)/Michael Dunkle (12) – 3-6, 6-2, (8-10)
#2D – Tippecanoe Valley – Clayton Adamson (10)/Robbie Groom (9) – 6-0, 6-2
#2D – Goshen – Sam Stegelman (10)/Sylas Buller (10) – 6-3, 6-4
VARSITY RECORD: 17-1
2009
#2D – Northridge - Jeff Eash (12)/Cole Wogoman (12) - 3-6, 2-6
#2D – Goshen - Eli Metzler-Prieb (10)/Nick Dandino (10) - 6-4, 6-4
#2D – Concord - Michael Ciesielski (12)/Cory Swaller (12) - 1-6, 0-6
#3S – Mishawka - Andrew Laubner (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#2D – Fremont - Matt Wilcox (10)/Adam Stukey (12) - 6-1, 6-4
#2D – Jimtown - Jake Hoffman (?)/John Gray (?) - 6-4, 6-1
#2D – Rochester - Kyle Calhoun/Josh Calhoun - 6-2, 6-1
#2D – Laville - Grant Frick (10)/Hunter Horvath (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#2D - Prairie Heights - Danny Hamm (11)/Tyler Carbone (10) - 6-1, 6-0
#2D – Triton - Kreig Vories (12)/Josh Shafer (10) - 6-4, 1-6, 4-6
#2S – Churubusco - Andrew Biddle (9) - 6-0, 6-0
#2D – NorthWood - Shawn Stahley (10)/Brennan Angle (9) - 6-1, 6-0
#2D – Warsaw - Scott Campbell (11)/Keaton Joyner (10) - 1-6, 2-6
#2D – Westview - Austin Schlabach (10)/Devin Bontrager (10) - 3-6, 4-6
#2D - Fairfield - Derek Thwaits (12)/Trent Kauffman (12) - 3-6, 3-6
#3S - Bremen - Briley Bollenbacher (10) - 6-0, 6-4
#2D – Taylor - Cody Hinton (12)/Nathan Gotshall (9) - 6-7 (3), 6-3, (10-7)
#2D – Wabash - Trevor Patton (11)/David Driscoll (9) - 6-3, 6-2
#2D – Eastern - Evan Cass (12)/Adam McKinney (11) - 6-7 (3), 5-7
#2D – Fairfield - Derek Thwaits (12)/Trent Kauffman (12) - 6-3, 4-6, 3-6
VARSITY RECORD: 12-8
2008
#3SJV - Northridge - Dylan Wengerd (9) - 8-2
#3SJV - Goshen - Jorge Hernandez-Walton (9) - 8-1
#1DJV - Concord - Zach Beaver/Matt Ciesielski - 6-0, 6-2
#1DJV - Jimtown - Lance Miller/Jake Hoffman - 7-5, 6-2
#1DJV - Rochester - Taylor Beck/Tyler Opple - 6-0, 6-1
#1DJV - Prairie Heights - Kye Recker (12)/Danny Hamm (10) - 8-0
#2SJV - Triton - Austin Kanaar (9) - 8-0
#1DJV - Westview - Devin Bontrager (9)/Jonathon Hostetler (9) - 6-2, 6-3
#1D - Laville - Brad Laidig (9)/Troy Siple (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#1DJV - Fairfield - Nate Kropf (10)/Brad Shipley (10) - 8-4
#1DJV - Bremen - Jaxson Burkins (11)/Ty Holmes (10) - 8-2
#1DJV - Penn - Jake Coe/Jason Bergstrand - 8-4
#1D - Howe Military - Jon Patterson (12)/Derk Haldewang (9) - 6-1, 6-0
JV RECORD: 11-0
VARSITY RECORD: 2-0
2007
Position: #3 Singles JV
at Northridge - David Long (9) - 7-9 - Loss
at Fremont - Adam Stukey (10) - 8-3 - Win
vs Prairie Heights - Danny Hamm (9) - 6-1 - Win
at Triton - Andrew Sellers (11) - 8-3 - Win
vs Jimtown - ??? - 4-4 (ret.) - Loss
vs Jimtown - Johnny Gray (9) - 6-0, 6-0 - Win
vs Northwood - Miro Argurjo (10) - 6-4, 6-0 - Win
vs Concord - Brandon Sebastian - 3-6, 0-6 - Loss
at Fairfield - Austin Fleck (12)/Jared Miller (12) - 4-8 - Loss
at Fairfield - Austin Beer (9)/Jake Walter (9) - 6-2 - Win
vs Bremen - Jaxson Burkins (10) - 6-1 - Win
vs Howe Military - ??? - 6-2, 6-2 - Win
FINAL 2007 JV RECORD: 7-4
VARSITY RECORD: 1-0
Most Wins in a Season: 17 (2010)
Farthest Advanced in State Tourney: Team Sectionals
Longest Winning Streak: 15 (2010)
Most Sets Won in a Row: 13 (2010)
Biggest Win: 6-0, 6-0; vs. Hans Guntert/Luke Tang, LaLumiere; vs. Matt Henderson/Jack Stein, Wabash; vs. Grant Frick/Hunter Horvath, LaVille; vs. Andrew Biddle, Churubusco
Closest Win: v. Cody Hinton/Nathan Gotshall, Taylor (6-7 (3), 6-3, (10-7))
Career Tiebreakers Won: 3
Career Tiebreakers Won Percentage: 50%
Career 3rd Sets Won: 3
Season 3rd Sets Won: 2 (2010)
Career Games Won Percentage: 67.0%
Season Games Won Percentage: 74.7%
Career 3rd Sets Won Percentage: 50%
Matches Won in a Row w/ a 6-0 Set: 2
Matches Won 1st Varsity Season: 12
2010
#2D – Northridge – AJ Thielking (11)/Doug Jakubowicz (11) – 6-2, 6-3
#2D – Goshen – Eli Metzler-Prieb (11)/Paul Johnson (11) – 6-1, 6-2
#2D – Fremont – Kaleb Hayes (9)/Brandin Ross (12) – 6-1, 6-0
#2D – Rochester – Max Hsu (12)/Taylor Beck (11) – 6-3, 6-2
#2D – Concord – Bronson DuMont (11)/Matt Ciesielski (11) – 6-0, 6-1
#2D – Prairie Heights – Brodie Rice (12)/Donald Cook (10) – 6-2, 6-0
#2D – Triton – Josh Shafer (11)/Clay Yeo (10) – 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
#2D – Westview – Austin Schlabach (11)/Devin Bontreger (11) – 6-2, 6-4
#2D – NorthWood – Austin Sanders (9)/Mitchell Keiser (9) – 6-0, 6-1
#1D – LaLumiere – Hans Guntert (12)/Luke Tang (10) – 6-0, 6-0
#2D – Valparaiso – Jordan Hyde/Tyler Costas – 6-2, 4-6, (12-10)
#2D – Fairfield – Nate Kropf (12)/Josh Ketcham (12) – 6-0, 6-1
#2D – Bremen - Austin Huff (11)/Brad Foster (10) – 6-1, 7-6 (3)
#2D – Taylor - Jack Lipchik (9)/Casey Glick (9) – 6-2, 6-0
#2D – Wabash - Matt Henderson (12)/Jack Stein (10) – 6-0, 6-0
#2D – Eastern - Adam McKinney (11)/Michael Dunkle (12) – 3-6, 6-2, (8-10)
#2D – Tippecanoe Valley – Clayton Adamson (10)/Robbie Groom (9) – 6-0, 6-2
#2D – Goshen – Sam Stegelman (10)/Sylas Buller (10) – 6-3, 6-4
VARSITY RECORD: 17-1
2009
#2D – Northridge - Jeff Eash (12)/Cole Wogoman (12) - 3-6, 2-6
#2D – Goshen - Eli Metzler-Prieb (10)/Nick Dandino (10) - 6-4, 6-4
#2D – Concord - Michael Ciesielski (12)/Cory Swaller (12) - 1-6, 0-6
#3S – Mishawka - Andrew Laubner (10) - 6-2, 6-1
#2D – Fremont - Matt Wilcox (10)/Adam Stukey (12) - 6-1, 6-4
#2D – Jimtown - Jake Hoffman (?)/John Gray (?) - 6-4, 6-1
#2D – Rochester - Kyle Calhoun/Josh Calhoun - 6-2, 6-1
#2D – Laville - Grant Frick (10)/Hunter Horvath (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#2D - Prairie Heights - Danny Hamm (11)/Tyler Carbone (10) - 6-1, 6-0
#2D – Triton - Kreig Vories (12)/Josh Shafer (10) - 6-4, 1-6, 4-6
#2S – Churubusco - Andrew Biddle (9) - 6-0, 6-0
#2D – NorthWood - Shawn Stahley (10)/Brennan Angle (9) - 6-1, 6-0
#2D – Warsaw - Scott Campbell (11)/Keaton Joyner (10) - 1-6, 2-6
#2D – Westview - Austin Schlabach (10)/Devin Bontrager (10) - 3-6, 4-6
#2D - Fairfield - Derek Thwaits (12)/Trent Kauffman (12) - 3-6, 3-6
#3S - Bremen - Briley Bollenbacher (10) - 6-0, 6-4
#2D – Taylor - Cody Hinton (12)/Nathan Gotshall (9) - 6-7 (3), 6-3, (10-7)
#2D – Wabash - Trevor Patton (11)/David Driscoll (9) - 6-3, 6-2
#2D – Eastern - Evan Cass (12)/Adam McKinney (11) - 6-7 (3), 5-7
#2D – Fairfield - Derek Thwaits (12)/Trent Kauffman (12) - 6-3, 4-6, 3-6
VARSITY RECORD: 12-8
2008
#3SJV - Northridge - Dylan Wengerd (9) - 8-2
#3SJV - Goshen - Jorge Hernandez-Walton (9) - 8-1
#1DJV - Concord - Zach Beaver/Matt Ciesielski - 6-0, 6-2
#1DJV - Jimtown - Lance Miller/Jake Hoffman - 7-5, 6-2
#1DJV - Rochester - Taylor Beck/Tyler Opple - 6-0, 6-1
#1DJV - Prairie Heights - Kye Recker (12)/Danny Hamm (10) - 8-0
#2SJV - Triton - Austin Kanaar (9) - 8-0
#1DJV - Westview - Devin Bontrager (9)/Jonathon Hostetler (9) - 6-2, 6-3
#1D - Laville - Brad Laidig (9)/Troy Siple (10) - 6-0, 6-0
#1DJV - Fairfield - Nate Kropf (10)/Brad Shipley (10) - 8-4
#1DJV - Bremen - Jaxson Burkins (11)/Ty Holmes (10) - 8-2
#1DJV - Penn - Jake Coe/Jason Bergstrand - 8-4
#1D - Howe Military - Jon Patterson (12)/Derk Haldewang (9) - 6-1, 6-0
JV RECORD: 11-0
VARSITY RECORD: 2-0
2007
Position: #3 Singles JV
at Northridge - David Long (9) - 7-9 - Loss
at Fremont - Adam Stukey (10) - 8-3 - Win
vs Prairie Heights - Danny Hamm (9) - 6-1 - Win
at Triton - Andrew Sellers (11) - 8-3 - Win
vs Jimtown - ??? - 4-4 (ret.) - Loss
vs Jimtown - Johnny Gray (9) - 6-0, 6-0 - Win
vs Northwood - Miro Argurjo (10) - 6-4, 6-0 - Win
vs Concord - Brandon Sebastian - 3-6, 0-6 - Loss
at Fairfield - Austin Fleck (12)/Jared Miller (12) - 4-8 - Loss
at Fairfield - Austin Beer (9)/Jake Walter (9) - 6-2 - Win
vs Bremen - Jaxson Burkins (10) - 6-1 - Win
vs Howe Military - ??? - 6-2, 6-2 - Win
FINAL 2007 JV RECORD: 7-4
VARSITY RECORD: 1-0
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