In this age of so many egocentric and me-first athletes, it is particularly refreshing to come across someone who is unselfish and puts the good of the team ahead of his or her own interests.
Meet Kevin Koenitzer of the New Berlin West tennis team.
Koenitzer played first singles for the Vikings in the past two seasons but surrendered that spot in this, his senior year, to freshman Luke Hubert.
He moved to second singles without complaint, fully understanding that the switch would give West a strong and deep singles corps.
"He never questioned (the move) and understood that it was such a positive change for our team," West coach Scott Ficks said. "Luke has provided Kevin much-needed daily competition and it is making them both better as players. I am very proud of Kevin for how he has handled the situation."
Koenitzer said, "Luke is a good player. We played some challenge matches and he beat me. He deserves the spot. This benefits the team."
The move has indeed worked out well, as Koenitzer came into this week with a 10-3 record and Hubert was 11-4. Together with Charlie Ebert (12-2 at fourth), the Vikings have a singles lineup that could cause some major damage at next week's Woodland Conference Meet.
Interestingly, Koenitzer was the other side of such a lineup switch as a freshman at West.
"Ryan Paiser played first singles for two years until a freshman named Kevin Koenitzer bumped him out of that spot," Ficks recalled. "Paiser handled it the same way, no questions asked, and went on to qualify for the sectional at second singles during his senior year. Kevin was the young player coming up and now he is the senior accepting his new role."
The irony of the situation has not escaped Koenitzer, who said, "Paiser won more matches and actually dominated at two, and now I've been winning at two. I just want to move forward in the conference tournament, (WIAA) sectional and maybe state."
