Beechwood standout Pawsat starts tennis 6-0
Beechwood senior Emily Pawsat has made a smooth transition to tennis after sitting out her second basketball season to concentrate on other activities, including two sports, a load of advance placement classes and the organization of a community service project for the Athletes United Foundation.
The 1,000-point career scorer and former captain and MVP of the basketball team entered the week with an unbeaten record in doubles while pairing with her sister for tennis coach Barb Wentz, who marvels at her standout's athletic ability.
The 2013 Kentucky Enquirer tennis all-star is 6-0, and it's merely the latest in a long list of career accomplishments. She is 144-21 in her career.
"Emily had scored 1,000 points in basketball by her sophomore year. (She's a) very good soccer player and has been eligible to go to state in tennis all five years, made all-conference all years and honorable mention for the region. Her sister Liz has been her partner three years now," Wentz said. "Emily is a coach's dream. Works hard, follows directions and is a great role model for our younger players."
The well-rounded Pawsat, also all-region in soccer, is the captain of the tennis team and a five-time regional doubles semifinalist with two state tournament second-round appearances with her sister.
Usually, it's one thing then on to the other for the multi-sport standout.
She has a total of 16 varsity letters in tennis, soccer, basketball and golf, while accruing a top-five GPA of 4.33.
She was selected to the Kentucky Governor's Scholar Program, and will attend the University of Louisville on a Henry Vogt Scholarship.
In addition to community service, she's also active through church ministries and tutoring.
NKAC TENNIS TOURNAMENT: Weather continued to shuffle the schedules of the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference tournaments for girls and boys.
The tournaments, originally scheduled to wrap up this week, are being pushed into next week because of rain.
"Rain has played havoc on the conference. A lot of matches are being rescheduled," said Notre Dame Academy coach Rob Hardin, whose squad improved to 14-2 with a Sunday win over Louisville Collegiate.
The Pandas are scheduled to play Scott on Tuesday in the NKAC Division I girls' semifinals.
In Division II, Highlands defeated St. Henry 5-0 in the semifinals with wins from No. 1 singles player Meredith Laskey, No. 2 Sarah Hoffmann, No. 3 Lacey Pohlman, No. 1 doubles team Abby Herman and Lexi Herman and the No. 2 doubles team of Lauren Auteri and Caroline Christian.
In the boys' event, Covington Catholic is scheduled to play Ryle, and Conner is slated to play Campbell County in Monday's Division I semifinals.
The winners will meet in the final.
"So far, winter is winning this tennis season," said CovCath coach Al Hertsenberg, whose squad is going for an eighth consecutive big-school crown. "The plan is for the finals to be played either Tuesday or the next available date.
"We are a week behind."
TRACK: Bishop Brossart remained No. 1 in the kymilesplit.com Class A boys' state rankings.
Mustangs distance runner Michael Caldwell is top-ranked in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter races.
St. Henry's Class A girls, with four top-ranked runners, moved back into the top spot in this week's rankings, overtaking Newport Central Catholic.
Bishop Brossart won the boys' team championship with 121 points, beating runner-up St. Henry (92.25) at Saturday's Donnie Carnes Memorial at Campbell County. Girls' meet winner Highlands (145) out-pointed runner-up Bishop Brossart (117).
There was one national elite finish, posted by boys' 1,600 winner Eric Baugh of Villa Madonna, who had a time of 4 minutes and 22.70 seconds. ⬛