ANGOLA, Ind. – Introducing the Trine University men's tennis class of 2020.
The 2019-20 tennis season was cut short by the outbreak of COVID-19. The men's team was off to a tremendous start to the season finishing the fall portion of the season 3-1 before going 3-1 on spring break to start the second half of the season strong. They finished the shortened season 6-2.
The team included five seniors among its ranks including Jordan Baker (Salem, Ind. / Salem), Austin Balos (Niles, Mich. / Brandywine), Sam Luke (Indianapolis, Ind. / Bishop Chatard), Sid Petersen (Crown Pointe, Ind. / Bellmont) and Jacob Weiss (Richmond, Ind. / Richmond).
"These seniors deserved so much more than this and my heart breaks for all of this year's Trine tennis seniors. This men's team is quite possibly the best team I have coached in my four years," said head coach Erin Kolar, "Everyone worked so hard in the offseason to make one last impact. To get the big win for the team. To have one last chance to beat the opponents we've never beaten. To experience the feeling of stepping onto the court knowing it will be the last time they compete as a college athlete. It is one of the most beautiful, emotional experiences to witness. But the show must go on. They are all very intelligent, resilient adults and I know this will not slow them down."
To make up for the class of 2020 missing out on their senior day recognition the following is the script for that event in its entirety:
JORDAN BAKER Salem HS, Salem, Ind. Major: Chemical Engineering
Honors/Awards: Trine President's List, Trine Dean's List, MIAA Student-Athlete, ITA Student-Athlete, Member of the Chemical Engineering Honor Society-Omega Chi Epsilon
After Graduation: Plans to move to Fort Wayne to design food processing plants at Shambaugh & Sons
Tennis Stats: Singles record: 13-7, Doubles record: 4-3
Favorite Tennis Memory: I was able to go on three spring break trips with the team and they were some of the best times of my life with some of the coolest people I know.
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: Everyone knows that I have a pretty sick one-handed backhand which is frequently compared to Federer but an interesting fact that others don't know is that my two-handed backhand is actually better than my one. But my one-hander looks so much more majestic.
Advice to my Teammates: Be good people. When you step onto the court, you are there to win. Find things that you're passionate about and pursue them. Find more things in life that make you feel how tennis makes you feel.
Message from Coach Kolar:
Jordan has always been referred to as "Baker" or even "Bake". Over his four-year tenure, he got stronger and really matured as a tennis player. He is just really athletic and quick on the court. In both his Junior and Senior years he anchored the team at the #6 singles spot and had some pivotal wins for us. He is extremely intelligent and has a very promising career ahead of him in Chemical Engineering. I'll never forget his southern drawl and him adamantly denying it while pronouncing crayons "crowns". He was frequently spotted in the weight room and wouldn't miss the opportunity to chat about the free market and limited government. Thank you for your dedication to this team!
AUSTIN BALOS Brandywine HS, Niles, Mich. Major: Marketing
Honors/Awards: Trine Dean's List, MIAA Student-Athlete, ITA Student-Athlete
After Graduation: Plans to move to Chicago and work in sales for Coyote Logistics.
Tennis Stats: Singles record: 4-1
Favorite Tennis Memory: Beating Jordan Baker in a three-set challenge match after letting him think he had a chance the whole time.
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I was once ranked 11th in the world in Flappy Bird.
Advice to my Teammates: You only get four years to be a college athlete, so put in the effort it takes to get better at tennis. But it's okay to goof around every once in a while too-I know I did!
Message from Coach Kolar:
Over his four year tenure "Balos" has really grown on me. He's always been the practical joker of the team which sometimes earned him some extra running duty or the occasional dodgeball target. Over his four year career, he spent significant time in the weight room and got a lot stronger. He was ready to step in and help the team whenever needed. His junior year he was able to compete for us and did very well at the #6 singles position. I'll never forget the time Balos told a recruit that he had received a full scholarship offer to play tennis at the University of Michigan but chose Trine instead. Luckily the recruit saw right through him and still ended up coming. I was also blessed to receive my first fist bump "snail" from him. There is no doubt in my mind he'll be successful in the marketing world. Thank you for your dedication to this team!
SAM LUKE Bishop Chatard HS, Indianapolis, Ind. Major: Biomedical Engineering
Awards/Honors: Trine Tennis Storm Spirit Award
After Graduation: Plans to go into the workforce in the Biomedical Engineering field.
Tennis Stats: Doubles record: 6-8
Favorite Tennis Memory: When Victor Flynn fake slapped me on spring break but coach thought he actually did it and got mad at him.
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I am in the top 5 for most wins in tennis at my high school.
Advice to my Teammates: Enjoy every second you get with your team because you never know when it could all stop. Also, stick together and college is a much better place.
Message from Coach Kolar:
Sam is probably one of the most talented doubles players we've ever had at Trine. He has one of the best serves and probably the quickest hands of anyone. Not only did he help the team his sophomore and junior years by playing #3 dubs but he has taught and helped so many understand the game of doubles. I loved to chat with Sam about strategy and always respected his opinions on line-ups. He also has a silly side to him-like when he got me to fall for the "Did you know that Upland, IN is the biggest producer of Updog?" I think the team laughed all the way home that day. He was one of the biggest team supporters throughout his career whether he was on the court or in the stands. Sam will no doubt be successful in whatever he tackles. Thank you for your dedication to this team!
SID PETERSEN Bellmont HS, Crown Pointe, Ind. Major: Electrical Engineering
After Graduation: Plans to marry his best friend, move to Fort Wayne and work in his field of study
Tennis Stats: Singles record: 4-7, Doubles record: 4-7
Favorite Tennis Memory: Spring Break 2020
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I had the best backhand on the team.
Advice to my Teammates: You can only get better at things if you practice them…and don't forget to stretch!
Message from Coach Kolar:
Sid Transferred to Trine after playing three years at Bethel. From the moment he stepped foot on campus he has never lacked confidence. He is an extremely talented tennis player and we were lucky to be able to have him on the team even if only for one year. He has a lot of passion for the sport and came to us with many years of experience in both singles and doubles. I wish he and his fiancé all the best in their future endeavors.
JACOB WEISS Richmond HS, Richmond, Ind. Major: Business Administration
Honors/Awards: Will graduate with both a Bachelor's degree and his MBA, Trine Tennis MVP Award
After Graduation: Plans to move to Fort Wayne and work in management.
Tennis Stats: Singles record: 27-22, Doubles record: 32-27
16th Overall in singles wins
T-9th Overall in doubles wins
Favorite Tennis Memory: There are so many! My quickest match lasted only 25 minutes 6-0, 6-0. My most memorable win was vs Emerson this year on Spring break when I pulled out the win to get the team win 5-4. It was epic.
Something Fun/Interesting that others might not know: I once aced my friend Eric, who went on to play NCAA DI tennis.
Advice to my Teammates: Give everything you've got.
Message from Coach Kolar:
Jacob has been one of the most integral members of this team over the last four years. He always came to practice with an "I'm ready to work" attitude. He didn't have the most conventional strokes but he worked extremely hard and had a real competitive nature about him. He would fight until the very end and came in clutch winning three-set matches multiple times over in his career. For a while, he was the tiebreak king. When he stepped out on the court, you could never count him out, even if on paper he didn't have a chance. He never complained and was always willing to play wherever the team needed him (which meant playing with many different doubles partners over his career).
During his senior year, he stepped up to lead the team and did an excellent job filling the captain's role. He finishes his career 16th overall in singles wins and tied for ninth overall in doubles wins all-time at Trine. Although he was quiet most of the time, the mark he made on Trine Tennis is nothing but quiet! Jacob's matches were never short of entertaining! I will never forget the sweet relationship he had with my son, Evan. Since freshman year when Evan was only three years old, the two have had a special bond. I know Jacob will do well in the workforce, and if there's a competition involved I know he'll give it all he's got. Thank you for making a difference. Thank you for your dedication to this team!
