When Chase Burke ’25 first joined Boys Tennis in his Junior year, he looked up to the team’s captains as older, more experienced role models. Now, four years later, as one of the team’s Co-Captains, he strives to fill his former leaders’ shoes and lead its lowerclassmen.
As a leader on the team, Burke strives to set an example for his teammates on and off the court. Beginning at Andover, he saw his Captains as role models on the team; now, as a Co-Captain, he attempts to emulate their qualities and leadership abilities.
Burke said, “Since becoming a captain, I feel like there’s a little more responsibility. I kind of know that. When I was younger, I looked up to the captains. So I imagine some of the younger players on the team are kind of looking at me not only on the tennis court but outside, off the tennis court as well. I feel that I have at least somewhat of a responsibility to be more of a leader than I have been in the past.”
He continued, “I just try to make sure everything I do on and off the court is something that I would want the rest of the guys to do. So if I’m playing tennis and I’m angry, I don’t wanna show any negative body language. I don’t wanna get upset because I don’t want other people to take after my bad habits. So, instead, I’ll try to practice more things like having positive body language on the court, always giving a hundred percent. Things that can make a difference.”
As a lowerclassman on the team, Jacob Pletka ’27 explained that Burke’s tennis experience is demonstrated in his helpfulness on the court.
Pletka said, “Especially when we practice, I know he likes to give out tips to people who are struggling with certain problems on the court, technically and physically. That is especially helpful because it’s always good to have a second set of eyes watching you play, and I think that Chase does do that and that’s why he is definitely captain.”
Additionally, Pletka continued, Burke encourages team unity, and thus, he aims to set specific goals for the team and recover from setbacks quickly.
Pletka said, “Chase embraces this idea that if someone’s down, then we’re all down or if one person’s up, we’re all up. It’s a team movement. He very much tries to make sure that everyone’s head’s in the game right before a match so that we can all perform the best we can. When one of us has a challenge, he tries to incorporate all of us to try and deal with that task.”
Last season, Boys Tennis triumphed in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Finals, boasting an undefeated season-long streak, with multiple athletes receiving honors. This season, Burke has set two main goals for the team to work towards.
“My goals mainly are just for the team. I would love to win [NEPSAC]. Again, that’s our main goal, and hopefully with an undefeated season as well, but it could be difficult. We have two challenging opponents this Saturday, with Rockbury Latin and Brunswick. I definitely want to win NEPSAC again,” said Burke.
Next year, Burke will continue his pursuits in tennis at Wesleyan University, which competes at the Division III level.
