Escanaba Tennis Team Enjoying Brand New Courts
Click the thumbnails to see a bunch of photos from Wednesday's Escanaba vs Gladstone tennis match.
ESCANABA---The Escanaba High School boys tennis team is enjoying its brand new courts at the high school, which were built with a $300,000 donation from Pat and Jeff Abrahamson.
The Eskymos played two matches there on Wednesday, and get ready to host the Great Northern Conference championships next week. The Eskymos lost to Kingsford, 5-3, before playing an entirely back-up lineup against the Gladstone Braves later in the afternoon.
It was a cold, windy afternoon, with temperatures in the upper 40's and windchill factors even lower, but Eskymo Coach Tom Penegor was happy to get a lot of different guys some action, and he is still amazed by the new courts and pavillion that now have Escanaba as one of the best tennis facilities in the Upper Peninsula.
"It's a fantastic complex and we're so blessed to have it," Escanaba Tennis Coach Tom Penegor said. "We've never had eight courts, and now we can play all of our matches at one site instead of spread all over town. It was a challenge coaching-wise as well as safety-wise. It's been a great addition to the school, to our community, and to the boys and girls who play tennis."
Penegor noted that there are roughly three dozen boys who have come out for the Eskymo team this spring, with nearly as many girls for the girls team last fall. He says that tennis is growing in Escanbaa, and this donation by the Abrahamsons will last well into the future.
"We've been talking about it for suc a long time," Penegor said. "And now, it's actually happening. It's a huge investment in our program and the community, and for the boys and girlstennis players. Tennis is a lifetime sport that they can play."
There will be a dedication of the Abrahamson Courts at the Escanaba High School next Monday from 3:00 until 6:00. There will be refreshments served, and there will be several speakers to talk about the project. This is open to anybody who wants to come celebrate with the Eskymo tennis program.
"Especially to all you tennis players and supporters of physical fitness," Penegor said. "The Abrahamsons have contributed so much to our community. Not only here at the high school, but at the civic center where I used to be. Just a great asset to our community."
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