Leadership on the tennis court is only the beginning–leadership off it is the challenge.
Barrington doubles partners Whitney Martin and Kelsey Linden have succeeded at both.
The top-seeded doubles team started the state tournament strongly Thursday, winning three matches, including a 6-1, 6-0 third-round defeat of Glenbard West’s Ashlyn Selzer and Virginia Dallman.
“My goal since freshman year has been to get a medal at state,” Martin said. “So I’m really hoping that I can finally do that this year.”
In singles, top seed Denise Muresan of Stevenson sailed through the first three rounds. Deerfield and Lake Forest are tied in the team standings with 22 points.
Hinsdale Central is third with 20.
Martin and Linden’s 32-1 record can be attributed, in part, to the lessons they’ve learned and the character they are building in their other extra-curricular activities.
Martin, a senior, has been on the tennis and basketball teams since her freshman year.
She was on the water polo team for two years and also is involved in various school clubs such as Reality, Code Red, freshman mentoring and the Spanish Honors Society.
Linden, a sophomore, also is a member of Reality, whichpromotes an anti-drug and anti-alcohol mentality among local high school and middle school students.
“Not everyone drinks or does drugs,” Martin said. “We try to speak to people and help them avoid giving in to it.”
Promoting a healthy lifestyle is only the beginning of the girls’ philanthropic activities. Linden also is involved in an organization called New Generation.
The students work toward community involvement and unity, putting on fundraisers, concerts and community activities throughout the year.
Martin and Linden’s distinctive brand of leadership follows them in every facet of their lives–whether competitive, charitable or academic.
“It’s hard to be involved in so much,” Linden said. “You have to really manage your time well. Sometimes I have to give up things like watching TV or going out to try to balance things. But it’s always worth it.”
“I think their involvement keeps things in perspective for them,” Barrington coach Tracy Waters said. “They know what it’s like to be on a team, whether it’s the tennis team or their volunteer groups.”The girls really complement each other in their styles of play. Kelsey plays the backcourt really well and helps set up Whitney.”
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kkasak@tribune.com
