116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
New Linn-Mar tennis facility is ‘really impressive’
Linn-Mar boys’ tennis coach Chris Wundram expects to have another strong team in 2024
MARION — For nearly 20 years, Chris Wundram has consistently had the Linn-Mar boys’ tennis team among the best in the state.
The Lions have made the state tournament in every season but one since 2012, winning state titles in 2015 and 2018.
Now Linn-Mar will have a state-of-the art facility to showcase its program.
An eight-court complex, located adjacent to the existing baseball/softball facilities at Oak Ridge Middle School, was completed during the current school year and was available when the team began practice earlier this month.
“It was a surreal feeling for all of us that first practice,” Wundram said. “I think everyone is beyond elated with how the courts turned out.
“I texted (Linn-Mar activities director Tonya Moe) a couple times before the season started when I was at the new courts getting ready saying it really didn't seem real.”
A ribbon-cutting for the facility will be held April 2 at 3:30 p.m. prior to the Lions’ season-opening match against West Des Moines Valley.
“We are just excited to be able to provide our tennis programs and the community new courts,” Moe said, “and that we have a district that supports those needs.”
The Lions’ old courts, located on the high school campus, served well for years, but one of the problems was an overall lack of space, especially for those watching the matches.
Those issues were addressed in the design of the new complex.
“We wanted to make sure our new facility was spectator friendly, which we definitely achieved,” Wundram said. “The design of having eight courts in groups of two allows spectators and coaches to view all eight courts by just turning their head. It's really impressive how everything came together.”
Wundram was able to provide input on the new facility, which will have lights on four of the eight courts.
“It was a collaboration of things we liked from different facilities across the state,” he said. “My personal input was just the experience of being a coach for a long time now and making some suggestions from different things I've seen at facilities over the years.”
Both the boys’ and girls’ programs at Linn-Mar have more than 60 athletes out for tennis. Wundram said the new facility allows for much more flexibility for both teams.
“Eight courts and lights make a significant difference, especially for practice,” he said. “Having two additional courts along with lights on four courts allows more opportunities both for court space and practicing hours.”
Wundram's first team at the new facility should be another strong one. Malcolm Rice finished fifth at state in Class 2A doubles while Garrett Bauermeister and Jackson Kramer were seventh.
“We have really good depth on this year's team,” Wundram said. “We've been to state six consecutive seasons and won state twice in the past eight seasons. I could argue this might be our deepest team of all of them.”
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