Jackson Daignault ’18
The Staples Boys’ varsity Tennis team defeated the Greenwich Cardinals 4-3 on Wednesday, May 10 to clinch their 50th win in a row.
The streak has lasted three seasons in which the Wreckers have won three FCIAC titles and two State Championships. The Wreckers have had their fair share of individual success during this time, with number one singles player Evan Felcher ’18, University of Oregon commit, being named the Connecticut Player of the Year after winning the State Open Singles Championship and Class LL Singles Championship. Multiple other Wreckers also finished in the top three in these tournaments.
This season, the Wreckers remain undefeated with a record of 16-0. Felcher has been a huge factor in leading the team to success. “Playing at the top of our lineup and being a senior is a big responsibility,” Felcher said. “I do my best of being a role model to the underclassmen on and off the court.”
Felcher defeated Greenwich’s Justin Speaker 6-4, 6-3 on Wednesday. “The match was great, everyone really stepped up.” Felcher said, “The rivalry is obviously huge and heated over the years but [it] was nice to get the [victory] again.”
The Wreckers also had victories on the four singles court, with Eric Stein ’19 picking up a victory, along with the number one doubles court with Jack Tooker ’20 and Eric Greenberg ’18.
The highlight of the match may have been the third doubles player Ben Stein ’18’s victory in three sets. After clinching the victory, Stein took off his shirt and ran towards the fence, celebrating with the Staples faithful. “Seeing everyone there, whether they know you or not, rooting for you is amazing,” Stein said. “I started cramping in both my calves and right hand in the third set, and I knew I wasn’t going to retire […]. The fact that people came together to help me get through at the end caused me to be so happy and hyped up.”
The Wreckers have grown accustomed to winning these past few seasons, having made it to seven straight FCIAC/State championship matches. The Wrecker’s most recent loss was to Greenwich in the 2016 season, where they lost for the first time in 46 matches. During their current run, Stein says the team always continues to work hard. “We try to take everything one match at a time, but this team works really hard, and never quits, and the resiliency when people get down in matches is great,” Stein said. “We also always try to play for each other. That has made this run be what it is.”