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Tuesday, April 1, 2008
John Wight
St. Paul, MN
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By: Annika Gill
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Photo(s) By: Anne Wight
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What do the sports tennis and curling have in common? Maybe not much, except that John Wight enjoys them both. Like many Minnesotan kids, Wight grew up enjoying several sports such as golf, basketball, hockey, baseball and tennis. Today, he is a tennis player, but also participates in a sport not quite as well-known as the others, curling.
Wight is a senior co-captain of the Class A defending State Champion tennis team at St. Paul Academy-Summit School. Last season he played mostly singles and helped lead his team to their second state title in four years. In 2003, as an 8th grader, he was also a member of their title winning team and contributed mostly in the doubles category.
Wight started playing tennis around the age of 8. At about 12 he started taking tennis a little more seriously, but it still wasn’t the only sport he played. Unfortunately, the three sports he enjoyed the most, tennis, baseball and golf, are all part of spring athletics at the high school level. In 7th grade he tried out for the tennis team and made the varsity squad. His fate was sealed; he was now a tennis player. “If I had tried out for the baseball team that year and made it, I would probably be a baseball player today,” recalls Wight. The Spartan tennis team has benefited from the decision Wight made. He contributed early on but has now become their top singles player.
This season Wight hopes to lead his team to consecutive state titles. He believes it’s a fair goal with a team returning all but two players from last year’s squad. As the third place finisher in Class A singles last year, Wight expects to play mostly singles again this season.
Two years ago, Wight decided to try a sport he hadn’t tried before, curling. The Winter Olympics sparked his interest, but he wasn’t the only one inspired. The entire Wight family thought it would be fun to try. Curling teams consist of four people so the Wight’s were a perfect fit.
John and his mom Anne, dad Rob, and sister Carrie play every Wednesday night and are now part of the Edina Curling Club. While they may not win any state titles, the family is competitive and Wight says he’s proud of the way they’ve improved. “This season we’ve been able to win more often then last season,” comments Wight. Win or lose, it’s a fun sport the family enjoys together.
Wight hasn’t decided where he will go to school next year. Wherever he goes, he said he is just looking for the best environment to enjoy his college years. If he decides an education in Minnesota is the best place for him, he may continue to be the common link that bonds both tennis and curling.
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