Gustafson, Macumber shooting for state title
CLARK FORK — Blessed with two great athletes atop her girls tennis ladder in juniors Chelsea Macumber and Shaina Gustafson, Clark Fork coach Mary Jo Lambert has decided to double-down in 2009, pairing the three sport athletes together at No. 1 doubles.
Macumber and Gustafson were named the top area girls tennis players last weekend at the North Idaho Sports Banquet at North Idaho College, for their exploits as sophomores, and are brimming with confidence in their junior seasons.
“They’re going to go after a state championship,” said Lambert, noting doubles represents their best chance. “They’re both playing very well.”
Clark Fork has 14 players on the team this year, with a nice mix of seniors and freshman to ensure the program remains one of the top 1A teams in the state. Seniors Amy Gannon and Brittny Yates both return with varsity experience, and will play singles and mixed doubles, depending on which gives them the best option to get to state.
Celeste Komanec, Claire McMahon, Brocklynn Thornton, Tala Fehsel and Kandice Daniels round out a deep girls team, all of whom are eager to improve.
Leading the boys team will be German exchange student Steffen Kirchgeorg, who has a moderate tennis background and is the top boys player on the team. The Cats always seem to land a foreign student to bolster the tennis team each year.
Lambert is also excited about the future of freshman Stillman Berkley and sophomore Nate Nesbitt, each a three sport athlete turning out for tennis for the first time. They’ll join Jacob Barber and John May to round out the boys team, which doesn’t have the same depth as the girls team.
The Wampus Cats failed to win districts last year for the first time in a few years. The result was as much numbers-based as quality-based, as some of the Lewiston area 3A schools are simply fielding larger teams.
Nonetheless, Lambert wants the title back in 2009.
“We’ve set a goal of shooting for districts,” said Lambert, who puts her team through crisp practices on one tennis court. “This is the hardest working team I’ve had. I don’t have to bring anyone into focus.”