Can Thayer Recover from its Loss of Tom Darling?

Tomas Darling, the most celebrated tennis star in Thayer Academy history, will be leaving to play for Elon University in North Carolina, and probably move on to reach the top 10 in the pro circuit. Darling has been on the Varsity team since 7th grade, and after fearlessly leading his team to the New England Class B championship in 2007, Darling went undefeated in ISL play in both his junior and senior years. Last season, the Thayer boys’ team went 8-9, buoyed exclusively by its star captain. The 2010 season will sure be a shaky one for TA Tennis. While they only lost two seniors, the loss of Darling is without a doubt as devastating a loss as we have ever seen in the ISL. Thayer Tennis will try to remain hopeful of ever recapturing their former glory under Tom Darling’s reign as No. 1. It remains to be seen how Thayer’s group of rising sophomores will compete next season without their guiding light.