H-S Athlete of the Week: Max Henson, Belle Vernon
NAME: Max Henson
SCHOOL: Belle Vernon
GRADE: Senior
SPORT: Tennis
HENSON’S WEEK: The Cleveland State commit experienced a feeling of deja vu in winning the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Individual Tennis Championship on April 9 at North Allegheny High School.
The Belle Vernon senior won his second consecutive district title in straight sets while only losing two games in the championship match before heading off to compete in another tournament almost immediately after receiving his first-place medal.
One difference for Henson was his opponent in the final, as he dispatched Quaker Valley junior Will Meagher, 6-0, 6-2. Meagher took the first game of the second set, and after Henson won two in a row, Meagher tied the set at two games apiece before Henson ripped off the next four games to clinch the title.
Henson faced a familiar foe in the semifinals, as he beat North Catholic’s Justin Garver, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to face Meagher. The duo met in last year’s final with Henson coming away with a 6-1, 6-1 win at Bethel Park.
Henson, who was the No. 1 seed in the tournament, blanked Mount Pleasant’s Austyn Gross, 10-0, to reach the final four.
“The WPIAL tournament was very similar this year in the way I won it and left for another tournament almost immediately,” Henson said. “I faced one opponent from last year in the semifinals, and I knew about the other players. I did have that feeling of deja vu with almost everything unfolding like it did last year.”
GETAWAY DAY: Henson was able to enjoy his WPIAL championship for one night, but he was back at it the next day when he traveled to Grand Rapids, Mich., for the Level 3 Open tournament for boys in the 18 & under singles division.
Henson opened the tournament against No. 1 seed Alex Borbiu of Vernon Hills, Ill., and won the first set, 6-4, but felt a pain in his back and was forced to retire. Borbiu had a 4-3 lead in the second set when the injury occurred.
While the injury wasn’t serious, Henson was upset to have travelled six hours and had to turn back after one match, especially considering that he was winning against a player like Borbiu, who is a senior and Butler commit.
“I was beating a really good player and had to stop because I tweaked my back,” Henson said. “I’m glad it’s nothing serious, and I will be back playing in a few days, but it kind of sucks to go all that way for one match.”
THANKS, MOM: Due to his nagging injury, Henson was forced to lie flat on his back during the drive home, but his mother, Nicole, was there to take one for the team.
“I helped my mom with the driving going out because it was so far, but on the way home, my back was so messed up I had to put the seat back so far just to get some relief,” Henson said. “I felt so bad for her because she had to drive the whole way back by herself. I need to make sure I get her a good gift for Mother’s Day.”
NEXT STEP: Henson will continue to train while he awaits the PIAA Individual Singles Championships in Class 2A on May 22 and 23 at the Hershey Racquet Club.
Henson won the state championship last year in Hershey, which was the first ever tennis PIAA title for Belle Vernon. The Leopards don’t field a team, so Henson isn’t able to compete against WPIAL opponents prior to the postseason tournaments, but he sharpens his skills by working on his technique at the Greensburg Racquet Club, lifting weights and staying in top physical condition.
“I definitely want to finish my high school career off with another state title,” Henson said. “I have been doing a lot of lifting along with agility and fitness training. When I lift, I just follow a weight training program like anyone else. I don’t really do anything specific as a tennis player, but the big thing about tennis is the mental aspect of the sport. I have experienced matches where the best player is not the most athletically gifted, but they won the match because of their mental toughness. If you have that and can handle pressure, you will go far in tennis.”
COUNTER PUNCH: Henson is making his mark as a tennis player, but he has competed in a variety of sports, including some time in the squared circle.
“I just started boxing a little bit, which is a lot different from tennis in many ways,” Henson said. “I always liked boxing, and I wanted to give it a try. I have played dek hockey, soccer, basketball and T-ball. I have done a little bit of everything.”