New season, new coach for Central Mountain boys’ tennis

By John Lipez

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – Jeff Brinker, formerly wrestling coach at Bald Eagle-Nittany High School and soccer coach at Central Mountain High School, has returned to the coaching ranks, hired earlier this year as the new Central Mountain boys’ tennis coach. Brinker will replace longtime coach Pete Wert who resigned to take over the women’s program at Lock Haven University.

Coach Brinker will be working with a squad of 17, highlighted by the return of junior David Lindsay who last year became Clinton County’s first-ever PIAA tennis champion. Lindsay will be part of a nucleus of veterans from the 2022 squad:

David Lindsay

Asher Talbot

Joseph Caimi

Nick Piergallini

Also potentially returning is Nathan Brinker, coming off an injury and hoping to get back on the courts this season.

The boys’ program has a long record of success and coach Brinker said the team goal is to compete once again for the PHAC title and make a run at the District 6 team championship. He said Williamsport will once again be a tough opponent in the PHAC. Altoona and Hollidaysburg will be challenging non-conference teams.

The goal, coach Brinker told The Record, is to improve each day and “by competing against these challenging teams throughout the year, it will help us prepare for the District 6 team, doubles, and individual tournaments.”

The program gets a head-start on the rest of the Central Mountain sports with matches beginning last week. This week’s schedule was to include a Wednesday home match with Jersey Shore and home Friday with Central Columbia.

All home matches begin at 4 p.m. at the Gibson Tennis Complex.

 

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