Senior Statement: Ian McHugh

Ian is a talented tennis player, possessing many different skills. Ian can topspin, slice, drop shot, get to the net, hit an overhead, drive a passing shot and many more. This variety has made Ian a fun person to coach throughout the time at Bethany. Ian’s also such a good listener, willing to try combining various shots in different ways. Over the end of last year and this year’s season, Ian has been our #3 singles player, and done a great job there.

As a Bethany tennis player, Ian has had many memorable matches. Certainly at the top of that list was last year’s first round of Sectional match against NorthWood. We needed one more position to secure the team win, and Ian fought through a difficult second set against the Panthers to provide the point. I still remember being so relieved, as Ian tossed off a hat in seeming relief as well. But for me, my favorite Ian tennis memory will probably always be the first match of last season, where Ian and Gideon provided the winning point against Jimtown. My son’s first varsity win had a lot to do with Ian playing so solid in a third set that they swept through, winning 6-0.

And this is a thing that I find is true about Ian, getting stronger as things go on. Last year, Ian was a bit shaky at the beginning of the season, but by Sectional the skills were very refined. Ian might have timid starts to matches, but by a third set the game was tuned in. Against Jimtown, against NorthWood, against Wabash... Ian finds improvement as things go on. Ian is able to identify what is good, what is working, what is beautiful. And then Ian moves toward those things.

My prayer and hope for Ian is that the team verse continues to be a strength in life: That Ian will find the good and continually move closer to it.

Verse: Philippians 4:8
Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.