H.S. tennis: Longtime friends Crousen, Short thrive behind bond on the court
Stealey Crousen and Trevor Short have known each other since they were in diapers. They’ve played tennis together since they were big enough to swing a racket.
Now, the two Wylie players will play at the Class 5A state tournament together in mixed doubles Tuesday at Northside Tennis Center in Helotes.
It’s a moment that’s been a long time coming for the two friends.
“It’s something we’ve always talked about ever since we were little, playing together,” said Crousen, who is a senior. “Our former head coach, Brent Abilez, used to make fun of us when we were little. He would encourage us (saying), ‘Hey, those are my future mixed doubles state champions.’ So, to know that’s in the cards is really cool.”
They were 9 at the time. The two stopped playing mixed doubles when they got in high school, but it didn’t diminish their friendship.
“He’s still one of my best friends in the world,” Crousen said of the junior Short. “That doesn’t just go away. We don’t play together all the time, but that bond doesn’t disappear.”
Added Short: “We’ve just grown together through tennis.”
Four other Wylie athletes will make the trip to the state tournament – Marshall McPherson and Carly Bontke in mixed doubles, along with Grant Bristow and Connor Brown in boys doubles.
It’s the third straight year for Bontke and Crousen to go to state.
Bontke lost in the first round of girls singles in 2021, while Crousen and Kindall Alford lost in the first round in girls doubles.
Tough to beat
Crousen and Short, though, are the only Wylie pair going to state as Region I-5A champions.
They’ve been dazzling, too, dropping a total of 10 games at district and region combined – five in each.
They believe their bond as friends is what makes them a good team.
“We’ve known each other so long,” Brown said. “Our chemistry is our biggest strength.”
It’s a chemistry that works because while they can be the best of friends at time, they also can be their toughest critics.
“If we’re not having our greatest day, we can both look at each other and tell each other to get it together and not take it personally,” Crousen said. “That’s just how we work. There are definitely moments where we’re like, ‘OK, this is not going well. We need to fix it.’ And we can be harsh on ourselves and each other. At the same time, we know we still want the best for each other, and it doesn’t harm our relationship.”
It’s been an interesting dynamic for Wylie coach Mark Hathorn to watch. Both are two of his best players – a pairing that doesn’t always work well in doubles. But Hathorn knew Crousen and Short would make it work.
“I knew they would,” Hathorn said. “They’re like brother and sister out there. They argue, but they love each other. I will even go further than that. Stealey is sometimes like his mom, the way she’ll boss him around. He’s like, ‘OK, Stealey.’”
Yet after reaching the finals at the Region I-5A tournament in Lubbock this month, Crousen was the first to say Short often carries the biggest part of the load out on the court.
Hathorn said there are times when Crousen picks him up, too.
“They’re really able to lean on each other,” Hathorn said. “That’s one of the things that make them a good team. They don’t really get mad at each other. One will just pick the other up. I’ve seen Stealey pick him up.”
It’s a combination that’s been long in the making.
“There’s pictures of them when they were like first grade playing doubles together and pictures when they were in like fourth grade and sixth grade,” Hathorn said. “It’s truly a team where they love each other. Sometimes, they hate each other, but they love each other.”
Mixing it up
Longtime friendships are a common theme to the six Wylie players going to the state tournament.
Bontke and McPherson have known each other since kindergarten. This is the first year the two seniors have played mixed doubles together.
“It’s been fun,” McPherson said. “It’s been a new experience. I’ve had fun the whole time, all year.”
Bontke, too, has enjoyed playing with her old friend.
“I like playing with Marshall,” Bontke said. “He’s a lot of fun. I’ve had the most fun I’ve ever had playing with someone.”
Last year, Bontke teamed with Crousen, another good friend, to reach the state semifinals in girls doubles – falling to the eventual state champions.
This year, they’ve had to play against each other in mixed doubles with Crousen and Short winning all each meeting, including the District 4-5A finals and Region I-5A finals.
Bontke and Marshall had to win a playback match to nab the second and final state berth at region.
There’s a good chance the two teams might meet again in the state title match Wednesday morning.
Crousen, who pointed out that Wylie has yet to have a state champion in the spring since making the move to 5A the 2018-19 season, likes the idea of an all-Wylie final in mixed doubles, especially since this is Hathorn’s last season as the team’s coach.
“I would hope that (happens),” Crousen said. “It would be really cool to never have had anyone in the finals in 5A and then for his last year to know no matter what the outcome, he gets to go home with a gold medal.”
Hathorn believes the two teams are good enough to make it to the title match.
“If we’re in the finals against each other, either one of them can win,” Hathorn said. “Trevor and Stealey have won each time they’ve played each other, but you never know when that situation comes up.
“It’ll be a match I’ll just sit there and enjoy. Well, I don’t know how much I’ll enjoy it. But I’ll sit there and not coach. I’ll be able to clap. Whatever happens, happens. They’re both that good. It’ll be a great problem to have.”
Double trouble
Bristow and Brown have known each other since playing youth basketball together in fifth grade. When they signed up to play tennis in seventh grade, they got even closer.
“That’s what brought us together,” Bristow said. “Ever since then, we’ve been super close.”
They started playing doubles together their sophomore year.
“We were the little baby sophomores on underdogs,” Bristow said. “We got put on line three doubles.”
When it came to singles at the time, Brown was ranked sixth among the Wylie boys and Bristow 10th.
“We were just like the underdogs, and now, here we are – like the senior top dogs,” Bristow said. “It’s crazy. I just remember always looking up to the seniors.”
Brown played boys singles in the spring last year, while Bristow played his first spring on the varsity last year, also in singles.
Considering how tough district and region are in boys singles, they decided their best chance at going far would be in doubles.
“We felt like this was the best way to get out,” Brown said. “Me and Grant got on the same page, and we’re like, ‘Let’s do it. Let’s put our talent together.’ Our games complement each other. Grant is really good at the net. I’m good at setting him up from the baseline on serves.”
They also get along together – most of the time.
“I can’t stand him,” Bristow said, with a laugh, just kidding.
Added Brown: “It’s a great opportunity. Sometimes we drive each other crazy. But it’s OK. We work through it.”
They won the District 4-5A title, beating Lubbock Coronado’s Thomas Mann and Daniel Warraich 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-3 in the title match.
The Wylie duo made it to the region final as the second seed without dropping a set but fell to top-seeded Kelton Brown and Wade Bryant of Amarillo High 6-2, 7-5.
Bryant won the state boys doubles title last year playing with a different partner.
The Wylie duo didn’t have a playback, thus earned their first state berths.
“Coming into the season, we didn’t really have many expectations,” Brown said. “We knew we had a shot. We worked hard this season, gave ourselves our best chance and a couple of pieces fell in place for us. We’re super grateful for the opportunity to get to go compete at the state tournament.”
They draw Austin Liberal Arts and Science Academy’s Ted Gershon and William Gu in the first round. Gershon played at state with a different teammate last year.
“We have a really tough draw,” Brown said. “So, we’re just going to go out with no expectations. We’re already happy that we got here. We’ve already exceeded what we expected this season. So, we’re going to go out the first round, compete the first round and have fun. Whatever happens, happens.”
Bristow agreed.
“This is our last tournament no matter what,” Bristow said. “So, might as well put it all out there. It’s the best way to end it. I’m excited.”
Hathorn wouldn’t be surprised if the two pulled off an upset – or two.
“With Grant and Connor, we’ve been in every final or won every tournament in the spring,” Hathorn said. “I know they sound a little bit surprised (to be here), but they’ve had the results to be here.”
One last ride
What a way for Hathorn to end his career. He will retire after this season and hand the team over to his assistant, Adam Cherry, who played for him at McMurry.
Cherry was the head tennis coach at Lucas Lovejoy for 13 years before coming to Wylie this season.
“We’re best friends,” Hathorn said. “Getting to coach with him has been an awesome thing.”
Hathorn said Cherry didn’t take the job thinking he would be the head coach so soon.
“He wanted me to stay a lot longer,” Hathorn said.
But after 17 years as McMurry’s head coach and now five at Wylie, Hathorn is ready to spend more time with his snow cone business, Show Cones, and his 4-year-old granddaughter.
“I just feel like it’s the right time,” said Hathorn, 61. “I think the team next year has a chance at winning state.”
Hathorn, an Abilene Christian University grad, ends his Wylie coaching career with a 128-7 record in team tennis in the fall, and he’s taken an athlete to state in the spring every year, too.
He ends his coaching career taking six athletes to state – the most in the spring during his time with the program, a reign that started when the school made the jump to Class 5A.
Two other players – Brandon Cowling and Kate Delgado – nearly made it to state, too, but finished third at region.
“So, to say we had a good spring is an understatement,” Hathorn said. “The best one I’ve had since I’ve been here. So, it’s a great way to go out knowing these kids have worked hard and they deserve to be there.”
It’s been rewarding to watch this season unfold, especially since Bristow and McPherson spent the first two years on the JV. Now, they’re going to state.
He’s watched them all grow up, beginning when he was still coaching at McMurry.
“Every one of these kids were at my program at McMurry when I did the camps and stuff,” Hathorn said. “So, to see where they came from and where they are now, just makes you feel like what you do is worth it. They’re all so excited to be there.”
And don’t be surprised if you see Hathorn around the Wylie tennis courts in the fall.
“I still want to coach some of the kids,” Hathorn said. “I’ll do some private lessons, and he (Cherry) wants me to string all the rackets and do a lot of the work. I’ll always be a part of Wylie.”
Class 5A state tournament
At Northside Tennis Center, Helotes
Tuesday-Wednesday
Boys Singles (8 a.m.) – Noey Do, Fort Bend Kempner, vs. Rowan Olsen, Smithson Valley; Griffin Sullivan, Abilene High, vs. Sanjheev Rao, Frisco Liberty; Ethan Ruppanner, Amarillo Tascosa, vs. Jack Yurich, Dallas Hillcrest; Alan Gonzalez, Mission Sharyland, vs. Andrew Lavine, Austin McCallum.
Boys Doubles (8 a.m.) – Shriyan Daggumalli/Aravind Sridhar, Frisco Centennial, vs. Ethan Carter/Diego Garcia, Harlingen South; Grant Bristow/Conner Brown, Abilene Wylie, vs. Ted Gershon/William Gu, Austin LASA; Hugo Garcia/Guillermo Garcia, Mission Sharyland, vs. Erick Van Zyl/Luke Archer, Longview; Kelton Brown/Wade Bryant, Amarillo High, vs. Ethan Eberhardt/Michael Lanni, Friendswood.
Mixed Doubles (9:15 a.m.) – Carly Bontke/Marshall McPherson, Abilene Wylie, vs. Diego Salvo/Daniela Casas, McAllen Memorial; Paxton O’Shea/Maya Diyasheva, College Station, vs. Isabella Smith/Max Henderson, Frisco Reedy; Trevor Short/Stealey Crousen, Abilene Wylie, vs. Shannon Barton/Lucas Aiden, Leander Rouse; Ashna Potluri/Aaditt Rishi, Frisco Lebanon Trail, vs. Sebastian Delgado/Andrea Delgado, Richmond Foster.
Big Country State Qualifiers
CLASS 2A
At Blossom Tennis Center, San Antonio
Tuesday-Wednesday
Boys Singles
Luke Marshall, Albany
Boys Doubles
Cason Fairchild/London Fuentes, Albany
Francis Patanpatan/Benedict Patanpatan, Hawley
Girls Singles
Sidney Russell, Albany
Girls Doubles
Jaci Chapman/Ella Webb, Albany
Mixed Doubles
Emily Patterson/Dominic Vega, Stamford
CLASS 1A
At Blossom Tennis Center, San Antonio
Tuesday-Wednesday
Boys Singles
Jake Bell, Rising Star
Colt Lawrence, Rising Star
Josue Buitron, Gustine
Boys Doubles
Zach Ward/Javier Delbosque, Priddy
Girls Singles
Haley Eason, Zephyr
Betty Sheiman, Woodson
Mixed Doubles
Tallon Hayes/Valydia Zavala, Benjamin
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene Wylie sends six players to Class 5A state tennis tournament
