Eric Shear has been playing tennis since he was eight years old and that shows out on the courts. Now a senior, Shear just recently won the title of first singles Section III Class A champion. On May 18, starting at 8:30 a.m., Eric Shear, Collin Bennett, and Caleb Dahar played in a few matches. Eric won all three matches he played in.

The matches took place at FM High School. All students who played on Saturday must have won at least half of their previous matches in order to qualify for Sectionals. Shear was the first person in G. Ray Bodley High School history to win at first singles.

Shear stated, "It still doesn't seem real. It was a big goal of mine five years ago when I joined the team to win a title and I finally did it."

Boys Varsity Tennis coach Matt Goodnough said, "Eric is a special kind of player - so coachable. And what a lot of people won't know is that Eric is an outstanding ambassador for the sport, getting others involved and inviting them to give it a try."

On Wednesday, May 22, Shear traveled to Utica Parkway to play in the state qualifiers. No students from GRB have ever gone to states. Ahead of his matches, Shear said, "I am going to go out and play the best I can. Hopefully it ends the way I have dreamed of it ending."

State Qualifiers did not have the outcome that everyone was hoping for. Even after winning Class A, he did not receive a seed and had an unlucky draw. He had to play the number 3 seed from Holland Patent, which resulted in a early exit. He lost that match 1-6 2-6.

The player from Baldwinsville, Antonio Marsallo, who Shear beat in the Section III Class A Final, came in third and will advance to the state tournament. Due to Shear´s unlucky draw, he will not be advancing to states.

He stated, "I was in my own head before the match even started."

He continued, ¨It is frustrating that after winning Class A, it was not enough to earn a seed. However, I am happy for Antonio. He is a great player and an even better person.¨

However, Shear's accomplishments speak for themselves and everyone is beyond proud of what he has done in his tennis career.

Mr. Goodnough said, "I feel a sense of pride for our school and our community. Eric is a great reflection of all that is good in our school that is too often overlooked."

This is not the end of the road for Shear. Next year, he plans on attending SUNY Oneonta to major in Sports Management and Exercise Science. He will be playing on the men's tennis team and will most certainly have many more great achievements.

Congratulations, Eric!