ADA — Zachery Beaschler has a simple philosophy
“If you want to achieve a goal you have to reach for it,” said the talented two-sport sophomore. “You can’t let it come to you.”
While over simplistic, this no-nonsense approach appears to have paid off for the Ada sophomore who is coming off a Division III District title and now readies himself for the state tournament Friday.
Beaschler will face another sophomore at state in the first round when he takes on Ryan Leizman of Gates Mills Hawken at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason.
Going into the postseason, Beaschler was motivated by his sectional quarterfinal loss his freshman year that ended his season.
At sectionals this year, Beaschler fought his way through competition including a hard-fought, three-set semifinal win, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 over third seed Jereme Rupp of Archbold to advance to the finals. He eventually lost a heartbreaking match in the sectional championship contest to top-seeded Rahul Bais of Ottawa Hills in a hard-fought, three-set match, 6-0, 2-6, 2-6.
Despite coming in as the No. 2 seed in districts, the Ada product defeated senior Christian Zupon of Lexington in the semifinals, 6-3, 6-0 and then carried that momentum into the district finals with an upset win over Lima Central Catholic’s Spencer Collins, 6-4, 6-3.
Entering district competition, Beaschler came in as the underdog but his singular focus to achieve his goal of making it to to state provided additional motivation.
Christy Beaschler, his mother and the Ada head coach, said her son’s love for the game of tennis and hard work is what drives her son to improve his game.
“He works hard and he loves the game and watches all the time on television,” Christy Beaschler. “He loves all aspects of the game and he really enjoys playing.”
The Bulldog mentor said her son began taking lessons four years ago and this began his journey of endless hours of practice and tournaments.
Christy Beaschler said those tournaments prepared him for postseason play. She added that he also watched the professionals play at the annual ATP event in Mason and last year went to the state competition to watch and get feel of the atmosphere.
“I think he is one of the smartest players out there,” Christy Beaschler said. “He is not the most powerful — we are working on that— but he is always looking to see where that next shot is going to go. He is patient and I think that helps him. He is fun to watch.”
Zachery Beaschler, who also swims for Ada, credits his mother and brother, John, for their support.
“Well mom was either taking me to my lessons or giving lessons during practice. With John, it was more with playing matches and running and working out,” Zachery Beaschler said.
Both mother and son said making it to state is quite an accomplishment and both of them are approaching it with a “have fun and learn” attitude.
“Getting to state was my main goal in high school,” said the Bulldog netter. “To be a sophomore and get there is great. Now that I’ve made there this will be more of a learning year to build up for my junior and senior year.”
As state approaches, Zachery Beaschler said he is not doing anything different and wants to do exactly what he is doing since it seems to be working.
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