SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University men’s tennis team has added another local product to its roster for the 2016-17 season with the signing of Western High School standout Jonah Engle. Engle follows in the footsteps of his father, who also played for the Cougars under head coach Terry Darling.
“This is a special pleasure for me because Jonah’s dad, Jason, played for me on one of our talented national qualifying teams that we had at Spring Arbor in the 1990’s,” said Darling. “I have had my eye on Jonah for many years and it has been gratifying to watch him continually improve over the past several years. Jonah is an excellent tennis player and a great person and we are thrilled that he will be continuing his family tradition as part of the SAU men’s tennis team.”
Engle was selected as the Citizen Patriot Boys Tennis Player of the Year following his senior season where he won a regional title as his team swept the regional. Although he lost his first match of the state finals, Western tied for seventh to match the best finish in school history.
Engle, who posted an 18-6 record in 2015, has played at No. 1 singles for the past three seasons with the Panthers, and was a two-time All-State Honorable Mention performer.
Away from the court, Engle is heavily involved in his church as the Youth Worship Band leader, an Upward youth basketball coach, and has helped start a small homeless ministry.
Engle is the son of Amy and Jason Engle, and has a brother, Jadon, and a sister, Alena. While attending SAU, he plans on pursuing a degree in Pastoral Ministry.