Wu lifts Memorial to state
Soft-spoken off the court, Brandon Wu brandishes a wicked forehand once he starts playing.
Wu lifts Memorial to state Soft-spoken off the court, Brandon Wu brandishes a wicked forehand once he starts playing. Check out this story on courierpress.com: https://www.courierpress.com/story/sports/high-school/2016/10/12/wu-lifts-memorial-state-named-courier-press-athlete-week/91881398/
Gordon Engelhardt, gordon.engelhardt@courierpress.com Published 2:11 p.m. CT Oct. 12, 2016 | Updated 2:45 p.m. CT Oct. 12, 2016
Brandon Wu, Memorial boys' tennis(Photo: Submitted)
Wu, who has sparked Memorial High School's boys' tennis team to a berth in the 50th IHSAA state tournament, describes himself as an aggressive baseliner. He tries to emulate Rafael Nadal, the No. 5-ranked player in the world, at least in theory.
"I don't try to be (Nadal), but I see myself in him and how he hits," said Wu, named Courier & Press Athlete of the Week. "He's very aggressive on the baseline and that's how I play."
Wu, a senior who is 18-0 at No. 1 singles, will lead the Tigers, 19-0 and ranked No. 7, against Indianapolis Park Tudor, 18-2 and No. 2, in the state quarterfinals at 2 p.m. CDT Friday at Center Grove. He will face Park Tudor sophomore Aidan Harris (14-6).
"I just try to play my game, day by day," Wu said. "I don't look at it as being undefeated."
By playing as hard as he can every day, he strives to reach his potential.
"It's doing the same thing over and over, so I can win in the end," Wu said.
He said it's a great honor to be named Athlete of the Week and leading Memorial to state in the process.
"It's not just me, but the team as a whole," Wu said. "We're reaching our goals and trying to do some good damage at state."
His sister, Brenna Wu, is a senior women's player for the University of Southern Indiana.
"Brenna has her goals and I have my own goals," he said. "It's not really a sibling thing."
Under the guidance of first-year coach Cole Claybourn, Memorial will be making its second trip to state in four years and the fourth trip overall. Park Tudor is making its sixth successive state appearance.
If Memorial wins, it will meet either No. 3 Indianapolis North Central (14-3) or No. 24 Richmond (20-3) at 9 a.m. Saturday in the state semifinals at North Central. North Central is the three-time defending state champion.
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