By Blake Chadwick
For most of his life, Jack Powell imagined himself playing tennis in college. The Andover High School senior spent years developing his game and preparing for that opportunity. But after a serious mountain biking accident last summer, Powell gained a new perspective on both tennis and his future.
The accident left Powell with four compression fractures in his spine, forcing him to step away from athletics for several months. The time away gave him the chance to reflect and ultimately changed the direction of his plans.
“I had always thought I would play college tennis,” Powell said. “But during that time I had a lot of time to think about my future. I decided it would be best to focus more on my education. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I believe it’s the right one for me.”
While Powell will not pursue college tennis at the varsity level, the sport has still played a major role in shaping his high school experience. After first joining the team about five years ago, what started as a casual interest quickly grew into a passion. He later began training regularly at Crestview Country Club, helping him elevate his game.
“I would say my biggest strengths are my flexibility when it comes to playing and my shot selection,” Powell said. “You never know what’s going to happen in a point, so being ready for anything is really important.”
As a senior, Powell hopes to make the most of his final season by focusing on both performance and enjoyment. After previously putting a lot of pressure on himself in singles, he plans to compete in doubles this year to create a more relaxed environment on the court.
“My goal is to do my best, make a good run at state, and most importantly have fun,” Powell said.
