Final chapter

Brianna Thomas closes in on Majettes’ record

By LARRY McFALL, Staff Writer sports@minotdailynews.com
It has always been said that the harder you work at something in life, the better you will become at it. That philosophy pretty much sums up the tennis career of Brianna Thomas at Minot High School.

Thomas has been on the tennis roster for the Majettes since she was a seventh grader. And as the 2008 season comes to a close, she has been closing in on a couple of milestones in the Majette tennis record books.

After the completion of the tennis dual last Monday against Bishop Ryan, Thomas joined an elite list of only eight other girls who have reached the 100 win mark during their careers with the team. She now joins Nancy Dagner, Sue King, Stella Chumas, Jill Jensen, Angie Johnson, Jenny Keesey, Shannon Runyan and Lynelle Notbohm as the only girls that have accomplished that feat.

She also is closing in on the record for total career matches played, which she should break if she can get through the regional tournament and qualify for the state tourney. Thomas came into the season with 160 matches played, trailing leader Shannon Runyan by only 18 matches played. Runyan posted a 135-43 record in five seasons for coach Jerry Lyon’s squad.

After being a state tournament alternate in 2003 as a seventh grader, Thomas made it to state the following season, playing doubles at individual day with partner Rina Farah.

“Back then it was really stressful to play at the varsity level,” said Thomas. “I got a lot of support from the older girls on the team though — they were always encouraging me to just play the best that I could play.”

During Thomas’ sophomore year, the team won the west region tourney while Thomas grabbed all conference honors, and placed third at the state tournament. And then in her junior season she won all conference honors at the west region tournament for her singles play and placed seventh at the state tournament in singles during the individual competition. Brianna also helped the Majettes grab a fifth place finish at the state tourney as well.

Thomas is a three sport athlete, as she also played volleyball and basketball for Our Redeemers Christian School. She has always believed in hard work and being dedicated to what you are doing.

“My dad (Brian) has been so important in helping me get to where I am today”, said Thomas. “He got me started in tennis when I was real young, and taught me how to play the game.”

Thomas also tips her hat to the coaches that have helped her through her career.

“Coach Lyon and coach Butts (Kelly) really helped me out psychologically through the years, and I owe a lot of my success to them,” said Thomas.

“She has had a spectacular career to date,” said Lyon. “She is a real quiet leader — she has been our captain for the last two seasons and her actions on the court speak for herself.”

Thomas heads into the regional tournament in Minot today in hope of helping the team back to the state tourney, while hoping to do some damage on the individual side again as well.

“I just really concentrate on playing consistently and to keep improving,” Thomas said. “Our team goal at the start of the year was to make it back to the state tourney—and that is what I want to help accomplish for my teammates.”

Her play at the upcoming tournaments will help pad an already impressive career, and will also be good in preparing her for what lies ahead.

Brianna has had two offers to play NCAA Division II tennis. Her playing skills have been requested by the University of Mary, and by Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa.

But first up for Thomas is hopefully a successful finish to her splendid high school career.