Palmer ready for state
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By DANA BECKER
dbecker@messengernews.net
WAUKEE – Sometime this week, Chloe Palmer's career as a tennis player will conclude.
But for the St. Edmond senior, the memories she has made will stay with her for much, much longer.
Palmer secured a spot in the Class 1A state field by finishing as a regional runner-up. She will take on Fairfield's Natalie Steele beginning here Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Waukee Northwest High School.
"These years have been some of my most fond memories of high school," Palmer said. "I've grown so much with people I never thought I would've talked to before. It easily became my favorite hobby and the funnest sport I do.
"I'm so beyond blessed to have found such a great coach in Shawn Neverman and a group of girls every year to enjoy it with."
This year, Palmer is 10-5 competing at the No. 1 spot in the lineup for the Gaels, who earned a fifth consecutive sweep of the North Central Conference regular season and tournament titles. They also advanced to another regional final, falling to Pella this past weekend.
She made the move up to that position after going a combined 9-1 at No. 3 and No. 4 as a junior. Palmer doubles as a starter on the St. Edmond volleyball team this fall.
"I'm very excited and blessed to get to perform at state," Palmer said. "It has been a goal of mine this year and I know what great athletes I'll be coming in contact with at state and that excites me.
"Getting to play the highest level of tennis is so exciting."
Fairfield is currently 11-0 as a team with Steele playing No. 1. The Trojans also qualified for team state, as they will face Boone in Pella next week, and have two teams in the state doubles draw.
Steele owns a record of 19-2 overall this season, going 16-2 at the top position and 3-0 at No. 2. She has placed eighth at state each of the last two seasons in singles.
Palmer's portion of the bracket also includes Boone's Maiya Phanchantraurai and Ella Seney from Grinnell. The winners meet in the quarterfinals while the losers square off in an elimination match that same day.
The 1A field also features three-time defending state champion Gabriella Fleming of Cedar Rapids Xavier, Carroll Kuemper's Charlotte Schwabe and Pella's Ellie Smock.
"There are some amazing athletes and tennis players at state," Palmer said. "However, I have played fierce competition at tournaments and being the No. 1 (for St. Edmond), I see a lot of great players come districts.
"I have confidence in my athleticism and tennis ability that I will perform the best I can against these amazing players."