Trophy News From York, Nebraska
Add another piece of hardware to the growing York High tennis trophy case. York High School head tennis coach Josh Budler was recently awarded the 2007-08 NSAA Tennis Coach of the Year award. The honor is Budler’s first. Budler won the award after leading the squad to the Class B state championship last season.
Despite his recent success with the Dukes, Budler is fairly new to the sport.
“I went to Concordia University in 1999 to play soccer,” he explained. “I made some great friends that were on the tennis team. After playing some with them, they talked me into trying the sport out. I haven’t looked back since.”
Budler arrived at York High School as the head tennis coach in 2003, during his last semester at Concordia.
“(Former York High head tennis coach) Don Bohling was leaving the team, and they needed someone to step up and lead the group. I went for the opportunity, driving back and forth from Seward each day while finishing up my degree.”
It paid off in an enormous way, as Budler’s first season at the helm yielded a Class B state championship trophy for the Dukes. Along with the 2007 trophy, York High has also finished third twice and fifth once with Budler leading the way.
According to the coach, he loves three things the most about coaching the Duke tennis teams.
“I love the kids, first and foremost. In addition to helping the kids, I also love the competitive side of the sport and the aspect of mental warfare in tennis.”
Budler and the Dukes will look to defend their trophy beginning on Aug. 28 against Waverly.
Originally Written by Josh Van Pelt in the York News-Times
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