Sometimes, there's no groundbreaking story or epiphanous moment that reveals when or why an athlete took up a sport. Sometimes, it just happens. For Springfield Catholic's Jason Nayar, his sometimes started in the most innocent of ways.
"I had a tennis racquet, and my grandpa would just toss me balls in my backyard," Nayar said. "And I would just see how far I could hit them."
Not quite a tennis lesson, but who's to question how anyone gets to a position of competitive, professional or personal prowess?
For Nayar, those backyard tennis ball power-shows sparked an interest in the sport, and maybe, just maybe, can be what Nayar's opposition has to thank for a serve that can reach over 100 miles per hour.
That powerful serve is just a fraction of the game that led the rising junior to a 30-6 singles record and 6th-place finish at this year's Class 1 state tournament, as well as the first Final Four appearance for Catholic boys tennis in 14 years.
"He covers the court really well," Irish head boys tennis coach Justin Fravel said. "He also mixes up his shots well. He doesn't just volley back and forth with the other guy. He moves his opponent around."
Catholic used a 5-0 sweep over Warrensburg to reach the Final Four, where they fell to state champion MICDS.
"Getting there was really cool," Nayar said. "I'll definitely always remember that."
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But with Nayar only halfway done with his high school career, don't be surprised if he and the Irish have a couple more deep tournament runs in them.
"Winning breeds winning," Fravel said.
And attitude reflects leadership, something Nayar has begun to embody in his own way.
"He leads by example," Fravel said.
"I want our team to set the standard for sportsmanship and integrity and honesty and doing things the right way, win or lose, and Jason has always done things the right way. That's a hard thing for a guy his age, especially in competition with no umpires, where you have to call your own lines."
Nayar takes that leadership role seriously, and says that playing in his school colors takes his game to another level.
"I think it's really cool playing for a high school. My favorite tournaments with the USTA are team events, and I have a lot of fun with it."
With his sophomore campaign at a close, Nayar isn't setting down the racquet. The Irish standout is practicing and working, sometimes twice a day. Always looking to get better.
"I usually have tennis in the mornings and a training session in the afternoon," he said. "And maybe tennis again later. Summer is usually when I really start training hard."
No surprise for someone who says he wants to play at a high college level.
"I'm just working hard on my game," he said. "Expanding on my strengths. Fixing my weaknesses. Right now, I'm changing my backhand grip to something a little bit better. If I get that down for next year, I think it'll help me out."
For a player already used to besting juniors and seniors as a freshman and sophomore, Nayar's foray into upperclassman status, coupled with that tireless drive, should instill fear in his local and state rivals.
"I think he's got a legitimate shot to be the best tennis player in Springfield," Fravel said. "There's some stiff competition around here, but he is competitive. With a full two years ahead of him, he's got a great shot."
