Letter | Kyle Barr demonstrates definition of teamwork for Socastee Braves
I enjoyed reading about the fine athletes comprising your Toast of the Coast men's tennis team. All of these young men are outstanding tennis players and they are great representatives of our local schools, families and communities.
While not eligible for the TOTC team due to eligibility criteria, I felt compelled to tell your readers about Kyle Barr of Socastee High School. While home schooled and receiving training at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, Kyle remained a loyal member of the Socastee Braves tennis team during his high school career and posted one of the most decorated and stellar tennis careers this area has seen.
Even with a scholarship in hand to play at Wofford College under his belt, a 2013 AAA tennis team championship, and a season that would require extensive travel and sub par competition for his elite level, Kyle elected to join his Socastee Braves teammates this spring during his senior year of eligibility and their first year of AAAA high school play. I witnessed tremendous poise, maturity and team leadership throughout the season out of Kyle, which culminated in a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to eventual state runner up, South Aiken High School.
Leveraging off Kyle at the #1 Singles position, Coach Kirk McQuiddy has helped turn the Socastee Braves into one of the premier tennis programs in the state as seen by 3 straight region championships and a State 3AAA championship in 2013. The selection of Kyle's teammates' Britton Bellamy, Ethan Smith and Noah Johnson to the TOTC team this year is a testament to this program's turnaround and depth, and of course, their hard work.
On a final note, it should be noted that I do not believe Kyle ever lost a match, regular season or playoff, in the 3 year period mentioned above playing #1 singles and doubles for the Braves.
In summary, during his high school career, Kyle never failed to deliver when his team needed him and deserves our area’s recognition. Congrats on a great career and well done, Kyle!
The writer lives in Prestwick and has a son on the Braves team.
This story was originally published July 10, 2015 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Letter | Kyle Barr demonstrates definition of teamwork for Socastee Braves."