Prep Tennis: This spring perfect for Williamson

May 8, 2008

BY ANDY ROHR Staff Writer

In a spring season that has been dominated by rain, sleet and even snow -- Dundee Crown tennis star Mike Williamson has remained perfect.

With seven of the Chargers' meets postponed or suspended, it has been difficult to get in much of a groove, but Williamson has done it.

Entering this weekend's Fox Valley Tournament, D-C's No. 1 singles player is unbeaten at 20-0.

"He's been looking good, he's been progressing," D-C coach Harlan Miller said. "He's really improved his overall game (from last year). His strategy, his mental toughness (have improved) and he's just gotten stronger."

Reeling off lengthy winning streaks is nothing new for Williamson, who as a junior a year ago entered the State tournament at 33-0, before finishing with a 36-2 record.

As a sophomore he tallied a 33-7 record and in his freshman year he sported a 29-7 mark. As of Wednesday, Williamson had won a whopping 118 matches with D-C.

After battling mononucleosis in the off-season, Williamson worked his way back and improved his stamina. He now finds that he's able to keep his game at a high level for a longer period of time.

"I've been working on everything, not just one (thing)," Williamson said. "I used to be a baseliner, but this past summer I really worked on my all-court game. It's nice to have weapons to adapt to all different types of players."

Added Miller: "He can serve and volley. He can do a little bit of everything."

Williamson's favorite tennis pro is Rafael Nadal, the world's No. 2 player and a three-time French Open Champion.

"I just like the fight that he has in him," Williamson said.

Williamson will enter the FVC tournament at Johnsburg as the No. 1 overall seed and will be the favorite to capture the title over other FVC standouts including Prairie Ridge's Craig Greenwald, Cary-Grove's Jake Szybowicz and Crystal Lake Central's Jim Capalbo.

"The day before (the tournament), I'll probably get excited," Williamson said, "Just because it's my last (time)."

Williamson and his D-C teammates will then play in the Larkin Sectional on May 17 before hopefully heading to the State tournament May 22 at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.

Williamson is also close to deciding which college he'll attend next year. He says that he'll be "sticking with the Big Ten" and has narrowed down his choices to the University of Illinois, Indiana University and the University of Iowa.

"They're all the perfect distance from home," Williamson said.

Illinois won the NCAA Championship in 2003 and Williamson says that Indiana and Iowa both "have good recruiting classes coming in."