Ellinwood High School Girls Tennis Team Coach Lyle Stickney had more than a little praise for his team when he met with the Barton County Commission Monday.
The members of the tennis team were honored by the commission as Monday was named Ellinwood High School Girls Tennis Team Champions Day.
The commissioners unanimously adopted a proclamation to that effect and recognized  EHS seniors Darrien Beckwith, Gentry McLeland, Rachel Morales, Kaitlyn Robl and Bailey Schartz, junior Oma Thomas, as well as Coach Stickney, and Athletic Director Kip Wilson.
The team won the 2011 3-2-1A State Championship.
Stickney said he’s been working with these players since they were just starting. “This state championship was nine or 10 years in the making,” he said, adding that he “can’t say enough about their character.”
Working with this set of competitors has been a great experience he said. “It was a blast coaching these kids,” adding they were “just a great group to work with.”
He added that not only did the team do well, but so did individual players and the doubles teams, making it an especially memorable season for the school.