Just go to any Scarborough boys’ tennis match and you’ll see him. As the number one on his team, he faces off against the best any opposing team has to offer. He is Mike Leary, the Red Storm senior who leads coach Craig McDonald’s squad.
“He has been number one in singles two years in a row,” says McDonald. “He was number two as a sophomore.”
He is more to this team than just its number one player. At a recent match he could be seen watching his teammates in their doubles matches long after he was finished for the night. Having rejoined his team just recently he provided them with a spark against Sanford and they went on to a 5-0 victory.
Teammate Alex Hennings says “he adds another top member to our team and makes us more competitive.”
But Mike Leary is more than just a force on the court. he is also very active outside of his team.
“Mike helps me run a summer tennis program with over 100 kids,” says McDonald.
For the last two summers Leary has been working with the Scarborough program spending time with children from kindergarten to eighth grade, teaching them tennis and other games.
“I love working with the kids,” he says. “It’s great to see their faces, they just get so excited.”
“When they see you in the grocery store they get really excited,” Leary says. “It’s the most fun summer job I’ve ever had.”
Judging by the sound of his voice the kids aren’t the only ones who get excited about it.
In this week’s match against Deering’s Neall Oliver, Leary had an off night. He lost his match and his team lost 4-1. But you get the sense from spending a little time with him, that Mike Leary knows there are far more important things in life. And he’ll spend this summer in the sun, reinforcing that belief.
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