Niwot’s Luke Weber left the high school tennis circuit without regret.
The memories are great. The accolades, impressive.
“With all of it being done and looking back at it, it was a really, really special four years,” the Longmont Times-Call boys tennis player of the year said. And among the best in Niwot’s program history.
Last month, the senior concluded his tennis career at the Class 4A state tournament down in Pueblo with a runner-up finish in No. 1 singles. He finished the year 18-5.
After knocking out D’Evelyn’s Aswaanth Karuppasamy in the semifinals — his goal since falling in the 2021 semis, he said — he fell to Kent Denver’s Nate Gold in the finals, a kid who didn’t drop a set to anyone in the state all season.
After the match, Weber said he told the two-time champion sophomore he better go on and win four state titles by the time his high school career ends.
“My main goal was that semifinals match,” Weber said candidly. “The finals match, I was really just excited to be there. Everything I did was just to be in that spot. I think everyone knew what was going to happen because he’s a next-level player. He’s extremely good.”
Weber should be a next-level player soon.
The senior finished his Niwot career with four regional titles across three positions — at No. 2 doubles as a freshman, then 3 singles and the last two years in the lead role.
Weber had won a state title at 3 singles as a sophomore in 2020, helping lead the Cougars to their first team title in program history. He finished in the top four at the state tournament every year, concluding with the second-place finish after placing fourth last fall.
“He’s a super athletic kid that has potential to be a top college player,” Niwot coach Aimee Hites said. “His work ethic is unprecedented, and his game will only elevate at the college level.”
Adding, “He’s also extremely smart and coachable, which is a college coach’s dream. I have no doubt that he will excel at the collegiate level.”
Weber, who said his game grew immensely over this past offseason, said he is in the final steps of his commitment process with Rochester Institute of Technology (Division III). There, he is looking to major in computer engineering technology.
“I’m super excited to take my tennis to the next level,” he said. “The team over there is great, the coach is great. I think the transition is going to be pretty smooth. I’m excited for the new challenges that’ll present.”