INDIANAPOLIS — Southmont’s Adam Cox made history Friday by becoming just the second Montgomery County boys tennis player to compete in the IHSAA State Finals.
The senior was one of the final eight remaining individuals in the state as he took on Westview’s Isaiah Hostetler in the quarter-finals. Facing his toughest opponent of the season, Cox saw his stellar season and career come to an end, falling to Hostetler 6-0, 6-0.
Cox ends his season with a record of 23-1.
“Coming here and getting this experience was awesome,” Cox said after his match. “Getting to compete against and watch these kids play is something that you don’t see around Montgomery County. To be one of the last eight individuals in the state is a goal that I’ve wanted to achieve for a quite awhile. It’s pretty hard to reach goals like this but I feel like all the goals I had for myself I was able to reach.”
The only other player to qualify for the state finals was Southmont coach Nathan Poynter’s brother Brian Poynter in 1980.
Hostetler drew Poynter’s attention. He gave Cox’s opponent credit for his performance.
“Adam hit a ton of really good balls, that kid just had an answer for everything,” Poynter said. “That’s what you’re going to see when you go up against the really good players at this level. I’m not upset at all and I don’t think Adam is either. He played fine tennis, it just so happened that kid was the better player. For Adam to play on this stage is a great accomplishment. He’s been just a fantastic leader these last four years.”
The legacy Cox leaves behind is one that will be talked about for years and will be remembered in Southmont tennis history. All of the records and accolades over the last four years speak for themselves. The hard work that he’s put in since his freshman season has paid off plenty of times over.
“First and foremost his love and dedication for the sport is un-matched,” Poynter said. “His leadership is what we’re going to miss the most. He’s an outstanding kid and what’s most impressive is that he worked hard every single day even though he didn’t have to. You can’t say that about everybody. He knew he had to work for it to get to where he wanted to go. It’s been a great time with him over these last four years.”
Cox concluded his season with one final quote that sums up what kind of person he really is.
“I just love my family and my school so much,” he said. “To be able to represent them in the manner that I did means the world to me.”
