Sheehy (right) and partner Wynn (left) have been among the top junior duo teams in the nation, and proved so by winning several matches against high-quality opponents. (photo via Star-Telegram)
Josh Sheehy graduated from Grace Preparatory Academy back in May, and has been making a name for himself on the ACU campus, before taking a single class.
Sheehy, a freshman five-star recruit for the Wildcat’s tennis program, ranked among the top-10 players in the state and at one point was ranked no. 1 in the Texas for Boys’ 18 and under. He was also among the elite top 50 in the nation.
For athletes, summer does not always mean off-season. This was no exception for Sheehy. He competed in several high profiled matches including the Texas Grand Slam and the United States Tennis Association’s national championships.
“Two of my main goals this summer was to win the Texas Grand Slam and preform well at Kalamzoo,” Sheehy said.
The Texas Grand Slam is the biggest junior tournament in Texas, hosting around 1,000 high school athletes. Sheehy finished second in singles but clinched a first place win in doubles at the Grand Slam. Kalamazoo, which is the national junior tournament, was where Sheehy wanted to perform his best.
“This is the biggest junior tournament in the nation and attracts the world top juniors,” Sheehy said.
Sheehy took second in doubles with his partner Parker Wynn. They came into the tournament with the no. 6 seed having five doubles championships under their belt prior to Kalamazoo.
“The win that meant the most to me was getting second place in doubles at Kalamazoo,” Sheey said, “This notched us as one of the best doubles teams in the nation and gave us national recognition. If we had won the tournament, it would have given us a wildcard into doubles at the U.S. Open.”
(photo via Star-Telegram)
Though classes have begun at ACU and teams are getting ready for the fall season, Sheehy has yet to attend a class. He and his partner have been competing at the U.S. Open National Playoffs hosted in New Haven, Connecticut.
Sheehy and Wynn clinched a first-round doubles win, but were knocked out of the quarterfinal rounds and ruled out of the tournament.
“Unforgettable, I never imagined that I would have the chance to compete in many of these tournaments and win as many matches as I did,” Sheehy said. “Looking back, I will remember the summer before my freshman year of college as one of the best.”
Competing at the college level shouldn’t be too much of a transition for him, considering the level of competition Sheehy has become accustomed to playing.
“I feel like I will do amazing at ACU,” Sheehy said, “College tennis is unique because it allows you to compete as a team which I have been looking forward to for a long time. Everyone on the ACU tennis team is so supportive and I can’t wait to start the season with them.”
The ACU tennis team will start fall competition September 10 at home in a three day tournament.
