Mitchell Brennan (left) and Alex Abrams-Garrett (right) play in matches against East Chapel Hill. Abrams-Garrett is the first player to make regionals in three years. Photos by Norah Lubeck.
Riversides’ tennis and golf teams use ladders to rank their team
By Rory O’Connor and Federica Cedeno
Riverside’s tennis and golf teams share something in common: a ladder system.
Ladders rank a team’s players. It’s based on the skills/level of each player. Athletes also compete against each other in “challenge matches.” At Riverside, players can challenge their teammates to advance on the ladder. They may challenge a player up to two spots ahead of them. A player can not be “knocked” off of the ladder.
Tennis and golf are two sports that compete based off of a ladder system; this means that players are arranged on a ladder, it simplifies the ranking of players on a team and changes based off of wins and losses.
Mitchell Brennan is a senior captain on the men’s tennis team, he started playing tennis in the sixth grade at Voyager Academy. His middle school teams also incorporated ladders into their team.
Ladders are now the most important part of Riverside’s practices. In both sports, the ladder determines who competes against members of opposing teams, too.
Brennan is currently in the second spot on the ladder. That means during matches he will compete against the opposing team’s number two spot.
Junior Alex Abrams Garrett currently holds the first spot.
Riverside’s tennis team holds challenge matches during practices during the first half of the season. Challenge matches stopped around April 7, following the conclusion of spring break.
Brennan has always played for teams that set ladders. He said challenge matches are less competitive than matches played against other schools, but the ladder system can bring out competitiveness and keep players engaged.
“You can totally control how you play rather than a team sport where you have to rely on your teammates,” he said.
For golfers like senior Blayk Parnell, this system fuels their drive and keeps them focused.
Parnell has played golf for six years. He draws inspiration from pro golfer Rickie Fowler, often mimicking his on-course attire and swing style.
Currently ranked third on the team ladder, he knows that ranking can change as players challenge each other throughout the season.
“The ladder is a good way to gauge where you stand,” Parnell says.
He also said the ladder structure brings out a healthy competitiveness and makes him excited to play well and help the team during matches.
“Golf gives you the challenge and tests your mental focus,” he said. “You feel like you took pride and did a lot.”
Now that the ladder is locked for the rest of the season, Parnell’s focused on his ultimate goal.
“Making it to regionals,” he said. “Just working as a team, having that team bond, brotherhood, and the chance to make regionals every year—that’s what I enjoy.”
