OhioTennisZone.com Interview
TUESDAY, MAY
Recognizing University School's Chas Norman
The boys season will not get played this year, but OTZ recognition of the state's top seniors will continue.
Chas Norman from University School had set high team and individual goals this season - winning both Team States and the State singles title. He will have an opportunity to continue tennis collegiately when he attends the United States Coast Guard this fall.
Norman comes from a tennis family. "I started playing when I was about five years old, and started playing tournaments when I was nine. I got started when my dad put a racquet in my four-year-old hand and we started hitting balloons over the couch. While that isn't exactly tennis, I am told it was fun. My mom (Mary) plays on several USTA teams, my sister (Irene) plays for the US Naval Academy, and my dad (Chuck) plays whenever his knees allow him. My grandfather taught my father to play, and one of my favorite memories was when he came to watch my team win States freshman year." Irene (OTZ link and Navy link) is studying oceanography at the Naval Academy. His father works in Information Technology at JOANN Stores in the Cleveland area. His mother home-schooled Irene and Chas and she is a community volunteer. The Norman Family was also recognized as the Ralph W. Westcott USTA Family of the Year Award in 2017.
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US' Chas Norman at 2019 States - Click to enlarge |
Norman had considered a number of colleges. "I wanted to go to a military academy, and the Coast Guard tennis program had the plus of recruiting me to play tennis there. I was also considering the US Naval Academy, Denison, Xavier, and Sewanee, among others." He is an OTZ-approved math/science student. " I love working with computers (having built my own) and want to pursue a career in cybersecurity which, as you can imagine, will require a little bit of math."
Norman has taken home schooling in stride. "The most beneficial thing in my time at home has been my previous experience homeschooling [with his mother, Mary] (kindergarten through 8th grade). I already knew how to work from my house, so it's been a kind of return to tradition for me." Norman then shifted to University School for high school.
Norman has taken five AP courses -- two last year (History and English) and three this year (BC Calc, Computer Science, and Satire in Fiction). His favorite AP was the satire course thanks to his teacher, Dr. Lee Fallon. As for how the students are getting through school-at-home, Norman replied, "They've given us more homework at home than when we were in school." The school uses Zoom to interact with its students and Norman also uses Khan Academy to help him with math concepts.
His on-court strategy is to use his big forehand to get his opponent on the defensive. As for his other shots, "My favorite shot is a backhand overhead. It's always entertaining for me since I don't actually see the court when I hit it so I could turn around to find I've hit a winner or hit it into the bottom of the net. My weapon is most likely my ability and comfort in playing anywhere on the court, but especially at the net." His approach was effective last year when he finished fourth at States. Norman had reached States twice before in doubles (with Charlie Joranko in 2018 and Danny Godes in 2017). The Coast Guard is a Division III school that competes in the New England Women's and Men's Athletics Conference. As a TennisRecruiting.net 3-star, Norman should have an opportunity to play in both singles and doubles as an underclassman. He can hit his first serve in the 100-110mph range.
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With late grandfather, Charles, at NA - Click to enlarge |
Why did Norman play high school tennis? "I like the way it brings individual players together and forces them to work with each other toward a common goal. Beyond doubles partners that kind of team effort practically never happens outside of the high school season, and certainly never in USTA tournaments."
He normally plays in the Northeast Qualifier and Midwest Close but the Closed conflicts with boot camp. Norman will arrive at Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut on June 29 where he will be indoctrinated into the military over the next seven weeks.
As for the obligatory, "What do you use on OhioTennisZone" question which forces players to actually get on and use OhioTennisZone, Norman responded, " I have consistently used your site for the State tournament draws and opinions. I'll admit that I haven't perused your site often but the articles I've been sent by my parents from you never fail to amuse and inform me."
For his service projects, "I have run fundraisers for the Sean Karl Foundation for the past four years of high school. I chose this charity because it is a cause related to tennis that I appreciate. Additionally, as I think you already know, I volunteer as a ballboy for the Western & Southern Open (see photo) in Cincinnati, something I've also done for the past four years. It is a lot of fun and a plus is that it helps support children's hospitals in Cincinnati."
Norman is not a big user of social media, but he was encouraged by the Coast Guard to participate with their Facebook page.
His coach, Adam Atwell, shared this about Norman. "As a sophomore he was elected captain and thrust into the role of leading a team that had just graduated five seniors. Chas has grown into that role over the past three years with his competitive spirit on the court and dedication in the weight room. He is disarmingly earnest and strives to give his very best in every practice session or drill. Though we all missed out on a great many new memories that would have come from this season, the coaches and younger players on our team will still hold on to the example he set over the last four years."
Best of luck to Chas Norman with his plans at the Coast Guard Academy.
