Keep up the good work! North Augusta residents are proud of what you have accomplished!
Matthew Kennamer didn't listen to the naysayers.
"People said you have to start when you are little" to excel in tennis, said Kennamer, a North Augusta High School senior who signed to play tennis for Spartanburg Methodist College on Feb. 8.
Kennamer didn't start playing tennis until he was 14.
"From ninth grade to last year, (Kennamer's tennis underwent) a huge evolution," said Betsy Luquire, who coached the boys' team for three years. She turned the boys' tennis team over to Emily Strickland this year.
Luquire said Kennamer has natural ability on the court and lessons with area tennis pros have accelerated his progress. His leadership has also improved, she said.
Last year, the Yellow Jacket tennis team was 2-10; however, Kennamer was 4-8 in his matches. "We have the toughest tennis region in the state of South Carolina," said Luquire.
The tennis season begins March 6. Strickland, the assistant coach last year, said Kennamer has a role to fill as a senior.
"He's going to be a good leader," she said.
Tennis wasn't the first sport for Kennamer. "I played baseball for 13 years," he said.
Although he enjoyed the sport, he gave it up to devote more time to tennis.
"I felt I would excel in this," he said. "I was determined to be good."
Not only has he worked with area tennis pros, he has also spent summers at college tennis camps.
Kennamer said he enjoys tennis for several reasons.
"I like it because you play by yourself," he said. "You have to finish. In other sports, there's a clock that can run out. Not in tennis."
Another passion of Kennamer's is music. He plays bass guitar in a band called Tito's Gone to Miami.
"We play at Sector 7G on Ellis Street," he said. "We've released a CD."
Before joining Tito'si, Kennamer played in The Rush Band at First Baptist Church of North Augusta. He describes his new band's music as pop/punk.
At North Augusta High School, he's a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Spanish Club.
Spartanburg Methodist is a two-year school. After Spartanburg, Kennamer plans to transfer to Clemson University and major in business or marketing.
Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.
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