Best Friends On and Off the Court
By Gaige Winchester
Two girls who were looking to smash this tennis season, juniors Maggie Manor and Tynan Dishman, are best friends as well as tennis players.
Maggie Manor (left) and Tynan Dishman show their trophies from a younger age.
As they both say, they met in elementary school, and just clicked ever since. As junior Brady Hunt puts it, “They’re like one person living through two bodies. … They tell each other everything.”
They were first team all-state doubles in tennis last year, which means they were one of the top 10 doubles teams in the state. However, depending on how it would benefit the lineup, they may have had to split up and play without each other this year after playing doubles last season.
As school has been canceled for the remainder of the year, so have spring sports. The girls will have to miss a season of tennis, as well as prom and some other spring fun.
“In the classroom they’re great workers. They always meet deadlines, and they have grit,” says retiring teacher Mr. Kip Omstead. He’s had them both in English honors classes.
Being in honors classes is not easy by any means, but these two get it done in the classroom, too.
As junior tennis teammate Abby Bamidele says, “Both of them are like my best friends and that definitely won’t change. … They’re also very determined and hardworking at everything they do.”
Tynan Dishman (left) and Maggie Manor celebrate winning the 2019 semi-state championship last spring.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought everyone difficulties.
Here are some of their thoughts on not having the 2020 season.
“It’s really sad that we can’t have a tennis season because we all worked hard in the offseason and were eager to have a really successful season,” Manor said.
Dishman added: “It will benefit us because we have a lot of time on our hands to keep practicing and get ready for next season.” She also said, “Being in quarantine has made me realize not to take everything for granted.”
They have seen success on the court and in the classroom, and COVID-19 can’t completely damper the spirits of these two. They’ll be back and better next school year and next tennis season.