Franklin Regional Athletic Spotlights: Rochan Ramesh
Senior Rochan Ramesh originally tried tennis in sixth grade because of there was no way for him to be tackled by his opponent.
His skill has grown tremendously since then, and he has reigned victorious in this year’s WPIALS, or Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League.
“The WPIAL competitions have the top four singles and four doubles teams from each section compete in a giant tournament where the top three go to states,” said Ramesh.
The Varsity Boys tennis team has a history of success, with a section championship in 2014 and another this past season, according to Ramesh.
Ramesh also returned from the competition with the singles title and the victory in the doubles championship, which he won with Senior Connor Warwick.
“I feel that no regrets could be had after the season that we played,” said Ramesh of the team’s success. “We could ask for very little more!”
Ramesh has gone to both the single and double WPIAL championships in the past.
However, Ramesh claims that his favorite part of his tennis experience has been his relationship with his teammates.
“We really pride ourselves on being arguably the most close knit team of Franklin Regional,” said Ramesh. “The team treats its members as part of a family rather that a sports team.”
Ramesh’s close relationship with his teammates has been a source of joy for all of them at their many practices, according to Ramesh.
“We always try to help each other out on and off the courts,” said Ramesh.
His friendship with the other seniors on the section championship team has led to this season feeling a bit like “an end of an era,” according to Ramesh.
“This section championship has only two starters who are not seniors, meaning that it’ll be a huge task to compete well next year,” said Ramesh. “The team this year was built over the last four years specifically for this season.”
This “era”, as Ramesh calls it, was opened by captain Eric Pierce and closed by the 2016 team.
“Next year is the opening of a new chapter of Franklin tennis, and we wish the good luck,” said Ramesh.
Ramesh will be attending the University of Miami on a full scholarship.
“I will attempt to walk onto the tennis team there, but regardless I plan on playing tennis as a source of pleasure because it has defined my life for so long,” said Ramesh.
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