BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Sponsored by Indian Head Athletics
Facing a vocal opponent in Souhegan’s Nischon Radhakrishon, Bedford High School’s No. 1 boys tennis player, Myles Utell, said little. He let his racquet do the talking.
Facing a vocal opponent in Souhegan’s Nischon Radhakrishon, Bedford High School’s No. 1 boys tennis player, Myles Utell, said little. He let his racquet do the talking.
The sophomore knocked off Radhakrishon, 8-2, for his first victory in May after going 3-0 during singles play in April, earning him the Indian Head Athletics Athlete of the Month honor for April.
Bedford’s head coach, Shawna Morley, said Utell, who played from the third spot on the depth chart last season, committed to playing tennis year round this past offseason, and it has paid off.
“His physical fitness really kicked in this year,” said Morley. “He also has the mental strategy that you need to be successful in tennis. It’s not always power or spin that you need. He has that tennis IQ.”
Utell said the key to his success has been staying focused and being able to put lost points behind him.
“Tennis and golf are the only two sports where it’s just you out there,” said Utell. “You can take solace in your teammates winning, but in the end all you can control is yourself.”
Rather than voicing his displeasure when missing a point or celebrating after a winning score, Utell instead opted for a quiet conversation with himself or a subtle fist pump in his match with Radhakrishon.
The play of Utell, which coincides with his team’s 4-0 start, hasn’t only impressed his team, but opponents as well.
Now an eyewitness to Utell’s prowess, Souhegan head coach John Kilgore isn’t surprised at how Utell has turned into such an impressive player early in his high school career.
“He’s a careful, calm player, and he protects his shots very well. He’s a player that could certainly go deep in the singles tournament this year,” said Kilgore, whose team was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten by BHS. “The good ones usually come (into high school) good. He’s good.”
(Editor’s note: The Athlete of the Month receives a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Indian Head Athletics.)