Adam Cox was simply one of the state’s best tennis players this past season. The Southmont senior had a historic run all the way to the IHSAA State Quarter-Finals as he was one of the final eight individual’s left in the state. Cox was just the second boys tennis player in county history to make the state finals joining Southmont coach Nathan Poynter’s brother Brian Poynter who accomplished the feat all the way back in 1981.
What makes Cox’s season even more impressive is that entering the state finals, he had an unblemished record of 23-0 before falling to Westview’s Isaiah Hostetler. A year ago Cox fell in Regional final, one match short of qualifying for state. This year he was determined more than ever to make it back.
“I didn’t want to end this year lower than what my expectations were for myself,” Cox said. “Getting to accomplish all that I did this year was phenomenal because coming into high school I had a lot of goals for myself. It was huge for my to end my season the way I did because every senior wants and dreams to go out like that. I accomplished some things over these last four years that I never thought I would.”
The accolades for Cox over his four year career speak for themselves. Cox has been a been a first-team All-Sagamore Conference all four years and this past season was named to the 1st Team All-District along with being named to the Indiana South All-Star team. He ends his stellar tennis career with an overall record of 75-11.
Cox has more than earned the right to officially re-peat as the 2022 Journal Review Boys Tennis Player of the Year.
Coach Poynter knows that there might not be another Adam Cox that comes through the Mountie program.
“He accomplished things that no one has ever done before him,” Poynter said. “He’s also the only person from our entire sectional to make it that far. I don’t know of anyone else that has made the North/South All-Star team before either and that was neat for him. Because of his success, we have some younger guys who have seen him and want to be like him. The impact that he has made on our program is simply immeasurable.”
Something that went unnoticed probably by many this season was the fact that Cox got to share his success with his dad Chris Cox who is an assistant coach for the Mounties. The bond that both of them had only got stronger as Chris got to watch his son have a tennis season for the ages.
“I just feel blessed I am so fortunate to have been able to coach not only Adam, but also his older brother Aaron,” Chris said. “Not many parents get that opportunity I am very thankful for that. Despite Adam’s on the court success throughout his career, by far the thing that his mother and I most proud of him for is his love for and appreciation of God, his teammates, his friends and his family. Playing with his team and in front of his friends and family has always been what motivated him.”
That love for his team and friends showed plenty of times on the court this past season. In return you could always find Cox’s teammates supporting him every single step of the way along his run this past season.
“My dad’s been coaching me every since I was young and it’s been real nice to get to spend these moments with him,” Adam said. “Having him there takes a lot of stress off of me knowing he’s always there and in my corner. Some of the best memories of my life have been on this tennis court with my friends as well. I love the support that I got from the community as well this year. It’s stuff like that really means a lot to me to know that the entire city of Crawfordsville was supporting me.”
Poynter sees the impact that Cox has made and notes how it won’t only be felt just at Southmont, but the area as a whole. Cox has done a lot to elevate the entire sport in this area and that goes beyond and accolades he achieved on the court.
“Tennis as a whole in the area even with at Crawfordsville and North Montgomery took a step forward with what Adam did,” Poynter said. “Those kids can look at him and say to themselves that they want to be like Adam and they can be if they work as hard as he did. What was best I think about Adam is that he never took a match or his opponent for granted. Everyone knew that he would come out on top, but he still gave it his all every single time he was out there.”
Cox has more than established himself as one of the greatest boys tennis players to ever come through Montgomery County. His name will be brought up not only in Southmont history, but county history as well. When asked what he wants to be remembered for, Cox boiled it down to just a single word.
“Dedication,” he said. “You’re not going to have anything gifted to you. If you have the skills to be great you’re still going to have to do whatever you can to be great. That’s the one thing that I want to let people know.”
It’s been a historic run for Cox in what’s been nothing short of a phenomenal tennis career. He’s a shining example of where hard work and dedication to your craft can take you. While the achievements and accolades will be remembered, Cox’s personality and love for the game, his teammates and the community is something every young person can look to model themselves after.
