Coming off their fourth state win in 2025, the boys tennis team is aiming to keep the momentum going and win state again this season.
“I think that we have a very good chance of winning the state for this year,” said team captain and junior Gautam Shanmugam. One strength of the boys tennis team is the more experienced younger players. Last year’s team featured six underclassmen competing in the state.
“The [players] that are juniors and sophomores have a lot of match experience since they’re playing a lot more [due to there being fewer upper-classmen on the team]. We only have three seniors this year who have been playing consistently at the varsity level,” said Shanmugam. “All of our juniors and sophomores… have match experience and have played in the [high-pressure] games like districts and state and understand what that feels like.”
Junior and Captain Heath Silver say coaches also help contribute to the team’s success.
“One of our coaches played [Division one]. He helps a lot with people’s technique and strategy. During matches, we’re able to be coached, so their coaching and matches help us,” said Silver.
Nathan Ramachandran appreciates how the coaches help them develop life skills outside of tennis.
“Our coaches make a big thing about being independent from our parents, so we always get information coming towards us, so it definitely helps build our independence.”
Additionally, the tennis team has cultivated a supportive community that helps players feel motivated during tournaments. Shanmugam fondly remembers the intense displays of support at games.
“Seeing the Lincoln signs or hearing a ‘go cards!’ from the crowd is a good morale boost. I think that our team does a good job in supporting our players,” said Shanmugam. “I remember one time one of our players brought a car close to our courts and started blasting music for one of the guys to get pumped.”
Sophomore Nathan Ramachandran finds this intense community extends to all of Portland.
“The community is very tight around tennis, especially in Portland,” said Ramachandran. “Everyone knows each other. When I go play tournaments, everyone… knows everyone’s names and everything.”
