6 questions with Jason Zumwalt

CHAMPAIGN - We caught up with the Centennial head coach Jason Zumwalt over spring break to get the scoop on the upcoming boys' tennis season. Zumwalt, a veteran player, competitor, and tennis instructor in the Champaign-Urbana community is entering his second season as head coach for the Chargers.


Sentinel: How long have you been involved in tennis?

Jason Zumwalt celebrates a point while playing in the annual Champaign Park District Labor Day Tournament in 2016.

Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks
Zumwalt: "I started playing when I was a little kid. I played at Dunlap High School and went to state with them. I was a walk-on at Bradley University in Peoria. I moved to Champaign and got a job with Ameren. I was an instructor at Atkins (Tennis Center). I taught a lot of private lessons in the area and then moved on to coaching. I've been the head coach for two years and one year before that (at Centennial High School). Pretty much all my life."


Sentinel: What's the fun part about coaching?

Zumwalt: "Oh, man. Just the togetherness of the team. Watching these guys become better players but also molding them in life lesson, too. Just getting to know all the guys, the families and the togetherness; watching them grow not only as tennis players but young men as well."


Sentinel: Who are Centennial's top three players this season?

Zumwalt: "That would be Jason Kim, Tyler Luchinski, and Joaquin Leon."


Zumwalt crushes the ball in a singles match in first-day competition at the 2016 Labor Day Tournament.
Photo: PhotoNews/Clark Brooks

Sentinel: Who are your two sleepers this season?

Zumwalt: "You saw one today, Ayan Ehsan. He has jumped way up from a little bit of off-season play. (He) really started in January and February of this year, getting out when he could. He is looking like he is slotted in at number six.

Another guy who was here today, who is one of the other most-improved players, is Matthew Jan. He won't make varsity, but he will be playing towards the top of JV."


Sentinel: Who are the toughest matches on your schedule?

Zumwalt: "Obviously, it will be Central, which we all know how good they are, even though they lost four guys from their state third last year. University High will be the main team we will compete against for the sectional title. They are really good and they are deep. Normal Community is always really good. They are in 2A."


Sentinel: What advice do you have anyone who wants to learn to play tennis?

Zumwalt: "Go out on your own or get a few lessons and see if you enjoy it. It's not the easiest, but the one thing I always say about tennis is that it is a life-long sport, like golf. You are not always going to be able to play football, basketball, or baseball. Tennis and sports like golf, you can play forever. I think it is an amazing sport and it is also great sport socially, too. I have so many friends and acquaintences in tennis as several of us do. I would say just go out with your family and whoever, see if you enjoy it and go from there."

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