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Howell Competes at the Top in Tennis
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Mary G. Montgomery’s Lee Howell began playing tennis about four years ago for MGM. Before then, he had not been very interested in the sport. As a freshman, he had a girlfriend who played tennis, so he picked up a racket and joined her for fun. Little did he know that the relationship with the girlfriend wouldn’t last, but his love for tennis would.
For four years, Lee has been playing tennis for MGM. In addition to practicing with his team and playing matches for the school during tennis season, he participated in some clinics and took a few additional lessons. Natural talent, in addition to his four years of dedication to the sport, led Lee Howell to the final match in the 2011 state championship.
MGM’s students participated for days at the Mobile Tennis Center in the state championships in tennis. They were at the courts for twelve hour days, and competed against students from all over the state of Alabama. MGM’s tennis team members who participated were Michael Healy, Lee Howell, Luke Harvey, Jay Stafford, CJ Ernest, Andrew Byerley, Alex Chapman, Ryan Ivy, Jessica Jones, Amanda Nadeau, Brianne Murray, Madison Quigley, Brady Hoffman, Payton Rascoe, Tyler Rowe, Jake Musgrove, Emily Miller, Mindy Harvey and Camille Leach. MGM was represented each step of the way, and the Viking boys tennis team ended up placing fifth in the state.
Lee Howell’s journey to compete for the number one spot was a dream come true for him. As his mom and grandfather watched him play in that final match, his family was so proud. Lee enjoyed having his whole team there to support him and his friends Jake Musgrove and Tyler Rowe. Spectators for the event were limited due to the event being held during the school and workday. On MGM’s campus, teachers and students were given periodic updates of the success of the team and Lee through tennis Coach Megan Mims. She would send emails to campus. Lee also kept in touch with Coach Boatman through texting, and Coach Boatman made sure to keep everyone informed of our tennis team’s progress. During the two days, the student body learned that Howell and his tennis partner, Michael Healy won the doubles match. The campus was also proud to learn that Andrew Byerley and Jay Stafford captured victories for singles and doubles in the quarterfinals. Soon after that, MGM’s campus was focused on Howell’s climb to the number one spot.
Howell said he faced a student from Mountain Brook, Alabama in the final match to claim the number one spot in the state of Alabama. The student from Mountain Brook had been playing tennis his whole life–unlike Howell who was a freshman when he took up the sport. Howell said his opponent truly deserved to win but it was nice to surprise everyone by moving up to compete at that high level. Howell was MGM’s first-ever regional tennis champion from Mary G. Montgomery. He achieved this title as a sophomore. He went on to claim the title his eleventh and twelfth grade years. He credits coaches Chad Herdon and Megan Mims for supporting him from day one. They were always by his side and offering him the right advice. Coach Mims wrote in one email, “He has motivated his whole team through his leadership and success on the courts.” When Howell was asked about his preparation for his tennis matches, he shrugged his shoulders and admitted he doesn’t really get nervous. He was probably too tired to get nervous. He played eleven sets in one day, and endured a three-hour match in the quarterfinals. More than anything, his biggest opponent going into the final match was fatigue. To help him focus, Howell likes to have about thirty minutes before a match to be silent and get mentally ready. He doesn’t like to talk and chat before he takes to the court. He credits his favorite practice partner, Andrew Byerley with helping him get ready for the competitions. Though Howell did not take the number one spot in Alabama for the sport he loves, he is still quite happy with his high school tennis career. For a student who only picked up a racket in ninth grade and worked his way to a match against someone who has played his entire life is no small accomplishment. Howell will continue his tennis career at Huntington College in the fall. He will attend Huntington with the help of an academic scholarship. As for students who think they might want to pick up a racket now after being inspired by Lee Howell, he warns, “Get ready to run. It is harder than what you think.” To celebrate his amazing success at the Alabama State High School Tennis Championships, Lee enjoyed a big steak at a local Hibachi grill.
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