As one of the few freshmen on the boy’s varsity tennis team, Wesley Cotton has displayed his dedication to the sport throughout this tennis season.
“Watching Wesley play in a real game made his work ethic seem effortless,” freshman Sean Millimet said. “It is mesmerizing to watch him.”
Wesley Cotton entered his first tennis tournament at seven years old where he placed second. Ever since, he has made it his goal to compete at high levels.
Upper School History teacher and Head boy’s varsity tennis Coach Scott Cotton, Wesley Cotton’s dad, has helped train him. Scott Cotton has a long tennis background; he was highly ranked and played in many tournaments throughout his career. Additionally, Scott Cotton was a recruited athlete , playing on the Georgia Tech Men’s Tennis Team for four years
Wesley Cotton has trained since the age of seven with his dad and various private coaches. After the COVID-19 lockdown was lifted, Welsey Cotton started practicing more than ever with practices that took place six times a week, each practice being two hours.
In eighth grade, Wesley Cotton immersed himself in a full-academy experience. Wesley Cotton took a year off at Greenhill, and pursued an online school called University Prep. His time spent practicing only increased, spending at least 20 hours practicing on weekdays, and often practicing on weekends as well.
“It was good [for Wesley Cotton] …most of the players his level do not go to regular school,” Scott Cotton said.
Online school allowed Wesley Cotton to travel to play and practice more without the burden of missing school.
Since returning to Greenhill, Wesley Cotton has joined the Greenhill varsity tennis team. Freshman Miles Wilson says Welsey Cotton is an inspiration to the rest of the team.
“Wesley’s gameplay and skill level inspires the rest of the team to always play their best,” Wilson said.
Wesley has a 6-0 match record this school season, and says he hopes to continue this streak.
“Yeah, I haven’t lost a match this season yet, we are definitely looking for some hardware to take home,” Wesley Cotton said.
Throughout this year and his next few years in Upper School, Wesley Cotton says he hopes to get better with the help of his dad and Greenhill athletics.
“[I am] super excited for the next four years and glad he can be on the team, and where he goes after Greenhill, we will see,” Scott Cotton said.
