Montrose’s Warriner storms opponents

BY JOBY FAWCETT

Times-Shamrock Writer

Strong winds, driving rain, powerful lightning and major shifts in temperatures can make for a frightening experience.

For Montrose senior Zach Warriner, it piques his interest and gets the adrenaline going.

Hoping to someday be a storm chaser, Montrose’s No. 1 singles player plans on studying meteorology at Penn State-Harrisburg.

“I get pretty excited,” Warriner said when a thunderstorm rolls through Susquehanna County. “I think the weather has been a little crazy. It had been cold and now we have really warm temperatures. That creates these really severe storms.”

Warriner has wanted to study meteorology since he was a child.

“It’s what I have always wanted to do,” Warriner said “Probably since I was like 6 years old.”

Before he starts his studies of warm and cold fronts, high and low pressure, and his pursuit of tornadoes, Warriner is making his senior year a rewarding one.

He served his community as a member of the Boy Scouts, and recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout. For his project, Warriner and four friends conducted a Health and Safety Fair for children.

“I learned just how hard it is to teach and to keep young kids focused and occupied,” Warriner said. “I really learned a lot about planning and leadership.

“I’m pretty proud about being an Eagle Scout, because it took me seven years to get there.”

On the court, Warriner is in his second season playing at No. 1.

As a junior, he went 3-5 and lost in the second round of the District 2 Class AA tournament, dropping a 6-2, 7-5 decision to Valley View’s Andy Mattise.

But in that match, he rallied with three straight points to tie Mattise at 5-5 in the second set and the seeds had been planted for his senior year.

“I realized that no matter how far down you are in a match, you can’t give up,” Warriner said. “You have to play every point as hard as you can.”

In the offseason, Warriner practiced six times a week, took instructions at Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Club and played several USTA matches to sharpen his skills.

“He just decided that this was it,” Montrose coach Jim Hinds said. “He has worked really hard on his game and is having a terrific season.”

Armed with a more solid game and an infusion of confidence, Warriner is 8-2 and will likely be a top eight seed for the district tournament.

“I am a lot more consistent all around,” Warriner said. “I think that I am more mentally tough than I was last year. I am able to fight through the tough points.

“My goal for districts is to get at least to the quarterfinals and aim for the semifinals.”

From there, the results could be as unpredictable as the weather he hopes to someday predict.