Columbus North’s Austin Clark hits a return at No. 3 singles during Saturday’s semistate match at Center Grove.
The Republic file photo
When Columbus North boys tennis coach Kendal Hammel moved Parth Shah from No. 2 singles to No. 2 doubles last season, Austin Clark stepped into a tough spot at No. 2 doubles.
With Shah moving back into the No. 2 singles spot this season, Clark has been able to slide back into a more natural fit at No. 3 singles. The senior has excelled for the second-ranked Bull Dogs and is a major reason why they will be playing in this weekend’s Boys Tennis State Finals.
“Last year, the decision that I made to put Parth at doubles, I thought it was best for the team overall,” Hammel said. “Otherwise, Parth would have been 2 singles, and Austin would have been 3 singles. This year, Parth has definitely proven himself at 2 singles. He’s a legit, solid player. He’s had good competition. He’s played some good matches.”
North (22-1) will play No. 15 Floyd Central in the state quarterfinals at noon Friday at Center Grove. The semifinals and final are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at North Central.
Columbus North’s Austin Clark hits a return at No. 3 singles during Saturday’s semistate match at Center Grove.
The Republic file photo
Clark, who is one of the Bull Dogs’ co-captains, has gone 20-6 this season. He is 15-6 at No. 3 singles and is 5-0 at No. 2 singles when top singles player Hank Lin was out with an injury and Shah moved up to No. 1 singles.
“I think there are some matches that I’ve played that I haven’t done as well, and I think that’s maybe what caused me to lose,” Clark said. “I think though that if I play my game and stay positive and keep moving my feet, I think that will really help me.”
“Austin has done very well,” Hammel added. “He’s had some really good matches, and then at times, he’s had some matches that you sort of scratch your head on, and you wonder what’s going on. But he’s hitting the ball well. This weekend against Center Grove, he came back and played a very good second set. We hope that he has progressed enough that he has confidence to maybe be the key factor in those matches coming down the stretch.”
Columbus North’s Austin Clark hits a return shot in a sectional final tennis match against Greensburg Sept. 30 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
North pulled out a 3-2 win at No. 12 Center Grove in Saturday’s semistate. The Bull Dogs got wins from Lin at No. 1 singles and Amrit Kar and Anvay Atram at No. 1 doubles, with Shah providing the deciding point at No. 2 singles.
“I kind of knew coming in that he probably was going to put Parth at 2 singles because Parth is better than me,” Clark said. “I’m happy with it. I think it’s good for the team.
“What the team has been able to do this year is phenomenal,” he added. “We’ve gone almost undefeated, except for Carmel, who we’re planning on beating in the finals this year. I think every person at every position has played very well. Hank, our 1 singles, is undefeated this year, which is very good for him. Our 1 doubles is almost undefeated. They’ve been playing really good all year. As for everyone else, and myself included, I think we’ve all done a really good job this year.”
Columbus North’s Austin Clark hits a shot in a No. 3 singles tennis match against Columbus East Aug. 22 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
Clark has been a well-rounded individual throughout his high school years. A National Honor Society member with a 4.3 GPA, he also has been in plays, Show Choir and Student Assembly. He likely is headed to Butler or Indiana University to study accounting and may do some theater.
“He has put a lot of effort into his game,” Hammel said. “He’s not someone that’s a natural player, gifted as far as athletic-wise. He’s a busy guy. He puts his time in a lot of other things at school. But when he’s out here, he puts 100 percent in, so that’s good. So he’s a good addition to our team that we need to sort of glue it together. Even though he’s not our top player, he’s in an important spot.”
Austin Clark
A couple hours after winning 6-0, 6-0 in his sectional final match against Greensburg, Clark was selected North’s Homecoming King at halftime of its football game.
“It was a pretty good day for me,” Clark said. “It was kind of surreal, honestly. It was a total shock. There was a drum major that was on homecoming court, and I know that the band kids were able to get a lot of votes. I was going to happy with whoever won, but I was really excited. I’m really grateful.”
Columbus North’s Austin Clark hits a shot in a No. 3 singles tennis match against Columbus East Aug. 22 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
Clark is hopeful that the experience he gained in last year’s state tournament will help him when the Bull Dogs take the court on Friday.
“I think it’s going to be really useful,” Clark said. “It’s at a different location this year, but the pressure is still going to be there. The competition is still going to be there. It’s going to be really intense, really fast-paced, and I just have to be ready. Knowing what I now know that I didn’t know last year, I think it’s really going to help me with knowing what to expect. I’m better prepared this year.”
Clark hopes that will help him help North capture a state title.
“This year is the year,” Clark said. “Senior year, you have to do it. We’re going to bring it home.”
