(Photo obtained by Skidmore Athletics Website)
During the 2018-19 season, JT Wynne ‘20 was ranked in the Top 20 for singles in D3 tennis, leading his team with a 21-8 singles record. He was named Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Singles All-American, ITA Doubles All-American, Liberty League Player of the Year, Liberty League Tournament Most Outstanding Player, along with various other honors. Now, the talented player has an additional title to his name: 2019 ITA Oracle Cup Northeast Doubles Champion.
Starting at the age of four, tennis has always played a huge role in Wynne’s life. His grandma established a tennis program in Indianapolis, inevitably kickstarting Wynne’s remarkable career in the sport. Hearing inspirational stories about college tennis from both his grandma and retired tennis players growing up, Wynne knew he wanted to play tennis at the collegiate level. Now, a senior, Wynne hasn’t looked back since.
Standing out as a solid player his freshman year, it was almost as if Wynne was destined for success at the collegiate level. In his first season on the team, Wynne advanced to the NCAA Doubles Championship Tournament and received All-American honors. In 2017, Wynne became the ITA Northeast Singles and Doubles Champion, marking h as one of the best tennis players in Division III. He would repeat this honor two years later.
When asked about becoming the ITA Northeast Doubles Champion, Wynne expressed that this was not the most important win for him.
“I am more of a team player,” he says. “I feel like winning this tournament was nice, but it did not have many team implications. I feel my best when I get a big win for the team and not myself. It was great to win the tournament, but it means way more when I win for the team.”
Despite this, Wynne marks winning ITAs as a great accomplishment, and is very proud of all the hard work he and his partner, Noah Williamson ‘22, put into the match. He says “I did not know for sure we were going to win, but I knew that we had the best odds based on what we are capable of.” The pair beat the defending regional champions of Hobart College, allowing them to win the championship title.
“Winning felt amazing because I knew how much hard work we have put in and it feels like it paid off. I feel like this is something I will look back at the rest of my life and be proud of.”
Although winning appears to be second nature to him, Wynne says it’s very important to make sure that he is in the right mental state in order to do well in his matches. Before each match, Wynne likes to listen to music to get mentally focused: “Tennis is a very mental sport, so if I’m not in the zone I will lose the majority of my matches. Before playing, I need to make sure I am confident in all my strokes and movements.”
And as for his future plans? Wynne hopes to go to Law School and, potentially, become an assistant coach at whichever school he attends. Wynne does not plan to continue tennis after his undergraduate years because, as he explained, he won’t be motivated to do so. According to him, “the team makes me motivated and I want to end on that note.”
Wynne is a History and Management and Business double major. He initially found that balancing school and tennis was hard, but eventually got the hang of it, saying, “I found the routine that worked for me and now I find it extremely manageable. I will say, though,that during the off season I have too much time for work it seems.”
He will not compete at the ITA Nationals as he wants to focus on his academics and the LSATs.
As for right now, Wynne is focused on the upcoming spring season. “This is the deepest [strongest] team that I have been a part of at Skidmore, and if my teammates and I don't work hard it will feel like we are wasting immense potential.” He adds that the “real fun starts” in the spring, and the whole team is looking forward to it.
Although the spring season will be his last season playing tennis, Wynne is thankful for the team and the sport. As a final note, he says that “Although I will be hanging up my rackets in a competitive sense, tennis will continue to be a part of my life.”