Coronado's Mann, Warraich reunite to make good on regional tennis tournament goal
As underclassmen Thomas Mann and Daniel Warraich watched their teammates compete in last year's regional tennis tournament, the Coronado doubles partners made a promise to their coach.
Like Mann's brother, Alan, who teamed with Jeb Kitten to reach the region semifinals, the younger duo vowed to be the next Mustangs vying for a state berth.
Mann and Warraich will get that chance when the Region I-5A tournament begins Monday at Texas Tech's McLeod Center.
"Those two boys came up to me after that and said, 'Coach, we want to be here,'" Coronado coach David Denham said. "To have your players that are a freshman and a sophomore at that time sit there and say we want to be that team next year, that's where as a coach you're like, 'Be careful what you ask for.' Because now you make it a mission then. And it's a process."
Denham said not everyone is ready to commit to that level of work, but he didn't have a problem with Mann and Warraich. Although that path included an unexpected road block, the players managed to find their stride en route to a runner-up finish at the District 4-5A tournament March 29.
It's an impressive timeline, considering Mann wasn't medically cleared until January. The sophomore missed most of the fall season after a Grade 1 ACL tear in the first district match. That took away from doubles experience with Warraich, whom he first partnered with in middle school.
"About a month before spring started, I was able to start practicing and playing, but not at full potential," Mann said. "I'd really say I was cleared about two weeks before the spring season to play fully."
Denham watched the duo develop and believes they're playing their best tennis. The Coronado pair fell to Abilene Wylie's Connor Brown and Grant Bristow in the district boys doubles final, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-3. Denham knows his side was a play or two away from entering Monday as the district champ.
"It was just a process, one step at a time," Denham said. "Take every match different, and they just built on it. And then they learned something new, built on it, learned something new. And then finally, it's like the last tournament or two … they're coaching themselves on the court in the situation. That's when you know they're getting there. They're clicking, and that's what you want: peaking at the right time."
Wylie boasts one of the best programs in West Texas, as evidenced by taking six of 10 regional-tournament berths. There's no shortage of talent farther north, either, with Amarillo High boasting the 2022 state champions in boys doubles.
Seeing that type of competition on a regular basis has Mann and Warraich battle-tested ahead of their first regional experience.
"It prepares us pretty good because we'll probably see that level or even better at regionals," Warraich said. "So it's a good thing we saw that now so we'll be prepared for regionals."
Denham said the duo's personalities balance each other — Mann the enthusiastic one and Warraich a "silent leader." The coach credited their success to chemistry, accountability and friendship. The latter extends off the court as well.
Mann and Warraich have bonded since middle school. When they're not playing tennis, often they're studying together. Warraich, a year older, is in position to be valedictorian of his class.
The partners also share quite a few meals, including a special feast the night before district. The two chowed down on chicken-fried steak, Mann's favorite dish cooked by Warraich's mom.
Whether that comfort food is the key to success is to be determined.
"That's the go-to," Mann said. "It's the best."
Region I-5A tennis tournament
Where: Texas Tech's McLeod Center
When: Monday and Tuesday
Local participants: Gracie Wood, Lubbock-Cooper, girls singles; Thomas Mann and Daniel Warraich, Coronado, boys doubles.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Coronado's Mann, Warraich make good on regional tennis tournament goal
