Harder listed as coach of the year

With a successful and historic tennis season under his belt, head coach Phil Harder was recently recognized as the regional tennis coach of the year for both the girls and boys teams.

The Green River High School math teacher was recognized Tuesday night during the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 board meeting. Harder brought his assistant coaches, as well as much of the team, to recognize the hard work everyone put in throughout the season. Harder said it makes his job easy when he has great kids and assistant coaches working with him.

“This guy works hard,” Tony Beardsley, district athletics director, said.

Beardsley said Harder set an example for other athletics programs to follow during the season, often waiting until after school let out to start team trips to competitions outside of Green River. For regionals, his teams didn’t leave until 12:30 p.m., while travel to the state meet didn’t begin until 3:30 p.m.

“That’s the kind of example he set,” Beardsley said.

Throughout the summer, Harder and other team members hosted tennis camps at GRHS. Beardsley also said he frequently advocates for the tennis program. Harder admits he does “bug” Beardsley a lot, and admits the athletics director does a lot for the tennis teams.

The boys team took third at state and won the regional tournament. The team’s boys and girls doubles teams all advanced to their individual championship rounds as well, making the first time the teams have achieved that level of success.

Harder said he is thankful for not only the kids and assistant coaches on his team, but also the support given to him by the district.

 

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