SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Clark Fork Tennis looking to get everyone back to 3A State Championship
The Clark Fork High 2025 varsity tennis team. Pictured, from left are head coach Jeff Emmer, Charlie Beaman, Jamie Herrick, Aliyah Leadbetter, Piper Scarlett and Kathi Rupp. Not pictured are Aurora Lane, Keira Gannon, Priscilla Mayorga, Eli Larson and Mya Shutts.
Photo by Max Oswald
Last season: 6 Wampus Cats qualified for 3A State Championship; three duos placed third at 3A District 1-2 Championship
Coach: Jeff Emmer, head coach, 14th season.
Key returners: Piper Scarlett (doubles), jr.; Aurora Lane (doubles), jr.; Jamie Herrick (mixed doubles), sr. Charlie Beaman (singles/mixed doubles), jr.; Priscilla Mayorga (doubles) jr.
Key newcomers: Kathi Rupp (singles), jr.
Key losses: Eloise Shelton (mixed doubles); Chase Sanroman (mixed doubles)
Outlook: Now in his 14th season, head coach Jeff Emmer helped all six of his players qualify for last year’s 3A State Championship. With 10 athletes this year — eight girls and two boys — there’s no reason to think the Wampus Cats won’t do much of the same.
Junior Charlie Beaman returns, as does his mixed doubles partner from 2023, senior three-year player Jamie Herrick. The two placed fifth at the 3A District 1-2 Championships two years ago and won a match at state. Whether it’s in singles or doubles, the two are looking to make their way back to the state tourney.
Junior German exchange student Kathi Rupp, who pulled down a school record 31 rebounds this past basketball season, will make an immediate impact on Wampus Cat tennis. Coach Emmer noted that she’s quite the athlete, and having had some prior experience and lessons when she was younger, she’s set to be an asset to the team.
Juniors Aurora Lane, Piper Scarlett, and Priscilla Mayorga, all state qualifiers, return, while senior Aliyah Leadbetter along with freshmen Eli Larson, Mya Shutts and Keira Gannon join the team for the first time this season.
“They’re all pretty athletic and play multiple sports so that really helps,” coach Emmer said. “They all just have a good ball sense. You can teach strokes, but you really can’t teach ball sense and timing — that has to come from repetition.”
When asked about a goal for the season, coach Emmer said it was to get as many Clark Fork players to state as he could.
“Last year was amazing; I didn’t think I would get them all there,” coach Emmer said. "Hopefully the ones who made it last year, keep progressing. Our goal is always to get there (state), compete, and come home with some wins."
Clark Fork Tennis Schedule
4/8 — @ Troy, 3 p.m. (PST)
4/12 — @ All-League Meet, 9 a.m. (CDA)
4/17 — @ CDA Charter, 3 p.m.
4/23 — @ CDA Charter, 3 p.m.
4/25 — @ Inland Empire Tourney (Spokane)
5/3 — @ All-League Meet, 9 a.m. (Lewiston)
5/9-10 — @ 3A District 1-2 Tournament (Lewiston)
5/16-17 — @ 3A State Championship (Ridgevue)