GALESBURG, Illinois - The final team highlighted in the Senior Celebration Week is the tennis team. Women's stalwart Bhumika Gupta and men's leader Jared Schwarz both had spectacular careers on the court.
"Despite being ranked at the bottom of our conference and knowing the wins were going to be few and far between, these two young people practiced and played with passion and class," said head coach Meredith Witherell. "They never let up or gave up but pressed forward with pride, integrity, and purpose. They put in the same effort against opponents who would best them and those they would defeat."
"I have watched Jared mature as a player and as a young man. It was difficult to play #1 for Prairie Fire tennis; the tennis would be brutal and the burden of leading the team would hefty. But year after year, Jared stood tall, stood by his teammates, stood by me. It wasn't an easy task but each year Jared's ability to support his teammates, to wrangle with repeated losses, and to bounce back and rejoice in the small victories (like acing Grinnell or hitting that impossible 'tweener) have grown. He is no longer that sophomore wearing a backwards ball cap and living without direction; he is now a senior with a chosen major, professional purpose, and an attainable life goal wearing a backwards ball cap."
"Bhumika arrived on campus as a 17-year-old traveling away from home for the first time. Her courage and dedication to her studies and life goals are impressive. Bhumika is easily one of the most intelligent and humble women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Her first year at Knox, she was the sole freshman amongst a team of upperclassman and watched her entire team either graduate or go into student teaching; leaving her as the senior member of a fledgling team. This didn't dissuade Bhumika from playing and setting on- and off-court goals. She threw herself into her studies, research opportunities, tutoring duties, SAAC responsibilities, and tennis commitments with fervor and excelled in each endeavor. She is a marvel and well-respected by her on-court opponents and other coaches."
"Jared and Bhumika have been with me all three years of coaching. Despite my naivite and mistakes (believe me, I made a lot of mistakes) these two came to practice every day during their respective seasons, ready to play and ready to improve. We laughed as I tried drills that failed and rejoiced when I found a lesson that worked. We got lost together as my GPS lead us into the wilds of Iowa. We shared delicious meals and precious fellowship with our teammates. I believe we helped each other improve. Most importantly, they helped me develop and grow as a person. I am a better person for having known both of them and that, perhaps, is their legacy."
Bhumika Gupta
"Being a student-athlete at Knox has been a really rewarding and the best experience I could have asked for. In the pst years I have grown so much, learnt how to be in a team and lead it. Our tennis team changed a lot every year in my three years at Knox, and it was very challenging to adjust and accept each time, but with all the support from Knox, Coach Meredith and the team members it did not take long for all of us to bond and stay together."
Major: Physics/Pre-Engineering (Heading to Washington University in St.Louis for Biomedical Engineering in Fall 2020)
Favorite Road Trip Memory: One of the best trip trips have been my freshman year Midwest Conference. That trip really made me much closer to the rest of the team which sadly had all the seniors. But I made some close relations with them who are still there for me and have my back whenever I need them.
Favorite Competitve Memory: The most memorable match I would say was this Fall against St. Norbert. I knew my opponent was one of the best in our conference, so the only expectation I had going into the match was to just play my best and give it all. As the match went on I realized it was more of a mental barrier and if I got over it, I could win the match. I just kept playing one point at a time, and I did win it. I felt so much more confident after beating the best player of one of the top seeded school in our conference. That match made me realize that if I get mentally strong I can win so many more games which really helped me through the rest of the season and have some big wins.
Jared Schwarz
"I am grateful for Knox giving me the opportunity to playing the sport that I love, as well as the access to a good education and other opportunities to better myself."
Major: Political Science
Minor: Business
Favorite Road Trip Memory: Our recent weekend trip to St. Louis because we had great team bonding and great food.
Favorite Competitive Memory: My favorite match was my singles win at Buena Vista last year in which I had a comeback win in the third set. He was a good player on his home court, and I played my heart out.
