Washington names Graff boys' tennis coach

From Washington H.S.

Washington High School announced the hiring of Rusty Graff as its boys' tennis coach today.

Graff replaces Frank Howell, who served as head coach last year after the sudden death of David Meyer. Graff becomes the ninth person to coach boys' tennis at Washington in its 55-year history. He follows Howell,  Meyer, Spencer Eells, Ron Capps, Jeff Warner, Randy Krejci, Lloyd Wilson and Frank Carthey.

Graff  has an excellent tennis background. He was a three-year varsity performer for the Warriors from 1986-1988 playing either No. 1 or No. 2 singles. he helped lead Washington to a state team championship in 1987. At Coe College, he was a Midwest Athletic Conference doubles champion, singles runner-up and part of a 1994 team champion.

Graff has won four Iowa Open Championships.

Graff  coached the Cornell College men's team from 2001-2005. He has served as the general manager of two local tennis clubs during the last 19 years. Graff has been the Director of Tennis/General Manager of the Westfield Tennis Club for the last 12 years. He has won several USTA and USPTA Missouri Valley regional awards recognizing Westfield Tennis Club. In 2011, he was inducted into the Washington High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Rusty brings a wealth of knowledge and Warrior tradition to this position," Washington athletics director Paul James said in the release. "We are very fortunate to find a coach that is so well connected in the tennis world. "