Freshman tennis star leads school to first state tournament

COLUMBIANA, Ohio (WKBN) – Heartland Christian tennis player Cooper Grim has done the unthinkable for his school.

The freshman has qualified for the OHSAA Tennis State Tournament in Division II Singles. Grim placed third in districts to move on to the state tournament.

“It’s really is really exciting, it’s a blessing,” said Grim. “I’m blessed to be able to do this.”

However, this past season Heartland Christian did not have a tennis team for a full season. Grim and one other student athlete represented the school in sectionals with Grim advancing.

“So this year, we were a bit late to the idea of having a team, so we didn’t get enough people on to get enough notice to get the team,” said Grim.

Grim created history for his school being the first Lion athlete to ever qualify for the state tennis tournament. The Lion star is also a founding member of the Heartland Christian tennis team. This season is the first season Heartland Christian has ever sponsored tennis.

“I know that he’s going to go out, he’s going to try for every shot, he’s going to play his best, he’ll never give up,” said Heartland Christian tennis coach Michele Grim.

Michele Grim is Cooper’s mother and coach at Heartland Christian. She said getting to the state tournament has been a dream of his for a long time.

“Just being in the field with all of the best tennis players in the state, it’s exciting to know that he’s one of them,” said Michele Grim. “Just be able to have that for the rest of his life.”

“Just got to keep working hard, I just can’t wait to go on Thursday and represent Heartland,” said Grim. “I hope to be able to do the same for the rest of my high school career.”

Coach Grim said Heartland Christian already has a dozen players who have signed up to play next season. The Lion freshman said he is excited to be a part of a full team next season, but all of his efforts are on his next match.

“My mom introduced it to me, so I really wanted to follow in her footsteps,” said Grim. “I’m pretty confident, I feel like I’ve been playing really well. I think I have a good preparation leading up to the tournament, so it’ll be great.”

Grim’s next match is the first round of the state tournament. Grim faces Jack Kayse out of Toledo Ottawa Hills High School on May 23 at The College of Wooster.

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