FORTVILLE — Mt. Vernon’s Adam Koon found himself in a familiar position.
His sophomore and junior seasons had ended in the IHSAA’s sectional round of the Individual Boys Tennis State Tournament.
He didn’t want, nor did he let, that happen this time.
“I did what I needed to do, got through it, played well, played hard and had fun,” Koon said after his 6-1, 6-0 victory over Richmond’s Ethan Farrar gave him Mt. Vernon’s first-ever individual tennis sectional championship Wednesday. “The more fun I have the better I am going to play with the chance my high school career being over. The more you have fun the better you play, I’ve found out.”
Koon also had the opportunity to do it on his home court. In previous seasons, this round of the tournament had been hosted by other schools. This is the first year Mt. Vernon has hosted.
Koon had teammates, coaches and athletic staff in attendance for his match against Farrar.
“It was about as comfortable as I could feel playing as an individual,” Koon said. “Also, it’s a great feeling (to win the sectional) because this is where my season ended the last two years. It’s a good feeling to get over the hump and do this my senior year after ending here the last two years.”
It didn’t take long for Koon to settle in against Farrar, who had reached the championship match with a three-set win [4-6, 6-1, 6-1] Tuesday over Centerville’s Jayden Saylor.
“The first three games I came out a little tight, a little stiff,” Koon said. “I played through it. (Farrar) was good. I had a good time.”
Koon was an all-stater as a junior, but had his season come to an end in the individual sectional championship against Reese Knoderer of Fishers.
After going 22-2 as a junior, Koon’s win over Farrar gave him a 22-3 mark heading into the next round of the tournament.
The 22 wins are the most in a single season, achieved twice by Koon, both as a No. 1 singles player, and by Chris Hayes, as a No. 2 singles player.
Koon will play in the regional round Oct. 14 against a yet to be determined opponent.
