OLD TAPPAN – Glen Rock boys tennis coach Bonnie Zimmermann always knows what type of talent is headed for the high school. So after this year’s additions came on board, Zimmermann knew where the Panthers were headed.
“I knew from the first day that this team was special,” Zimmermann said. “I knew they had the skill and talent to take us far.”
Glen Rock’s preseason goals included winning Bergen County Tournament and state sectional championships and the first of these is now a reality. Eighteen years after winning their last county championship, the Panthers took the Bergen small-schools crown on Sunday, outdistancing runner-up Pascack Hills by an 18-12 score.
“I’m really proud of these guys,” Zimmermann said. “Everyone on our team has contributed to the program this year. For them to come out and play to this level and win … I’m just thrilled. We showed everyone we’re a force to be reckoned with.”
One thing Glen Rock couldn’t do on Sunday was beat Chikaya Sato. The Cresskill junior defended his first-singles crown by topping Panther senior Joe Shulkin, 6-2 and 6-0. Sato was “actually pretty nervous” coming into the tournament, mostly because he’s considered heads and tails above the competition.
Next month, Sato will find that competition when he plays for the NJSIAA singles crown.
“I’m pretty excited about that,” Sato said. “Last year I got to the semifinals and I think I can do even better this time. That’s definitely one of my goals … to win it.”
