Lockport senior Jack Randall is in a unique position heading into this week’s state meet: He’s a favorite from the south suburbs.
No player from a Southland school has ever won a boys singles state title. Randall (29-0) hopes to change that as the top seed in Class 2A.
“It’s awesome representing the south suburbs,” Randall said. “All the teams up north get most of the respect. A lot of teams down here don’t get invited to the big tournaments.
“That’s starting to change. There are more and more good players around here and the programs are really developing. I’m honored to represent the area and want to do it the best I can.”
Randall will open with a first-round match against Marist’s Jeramiah Joyce on Thursday morning at Hersey. The tournament continues through Saturday at various sites in the northwest suburbs.
Randall, a Western Michigan recruit, is a four-time state qualifier who last year became Lockport’s first state medalist with a fifth-place finish.
He got a taste of what it’s like to be one of the favorites last season when he was seeded second, and he knows all his opponents will be extra motivated to play him this year.
“You know that when you’re the top seed, people are going to go hard to take you down,” he said. “Everyone’s going to play their best against you.
“I think it’s good to have that top seed, though, for confidence.”
Randall learned a big lesson at the 2017 state meet.
He seemed to be cruising in his third-round match against Notre Dame’s Nick Hebda, winning the first set 6-0. Hebda, though, rallied for a three-set win that ended Randall’s chances for a state title.
Randall bounced back to win his remaining five matches — including in a third-set tiebreaker against Hebda in the consolation semifinals — and take fifth.
“I got too confident in the early rounds last year,” he said. “I was too relaxed. This year, I know I have to focus on every point.”
That focus is a big key for Randall.
Growing up, Randall was intent on having fun on the tennis court, and never took himself too seriously.
Though he still tries to make sure he has a good time playing, he said he’s locked in mentally and taking a business-like approach to this tournament.
“I still have fun out there, but I don’t mess around like I used to,” he said. “I just want to stay strong mentally and keep that focus.”
While Randall’s game was already at a high level prior to this season, Lockport coach Bob Champlin has seen him continue to make improvements as a senior.
“His serve is more consistent and more of a weapon,” Champlin said. “Tennis is all about confidence and when he’s on with his serve and has that confidence going, he’s really tough to beat.”
Randall has never advanced to the quarterfinals in the winner’s bracket. So, while it’d be easy for him to look ahead and dream of playing in a state championship match, he knows he has smaller steps to take first.
“Every player is good at state,” he said. “Every round is a tough match. I learned last year that you can’t look too far ahead or it’ll cost you.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.