HighFIVE: Pete Weyrich

Arapahoe HS tennis coach Pete Weyrich celebrates 10 years at his alma mater

As Pete Weyhrich starts his tenth year as the boys’ head tennis coach at Arapahoe High School in Centennial this month, he is excited about the season. His team reached the quarterfinals of the 5A state tournament last year and a number of players are returning. While Pete’s decade as a coach at Arapahoe is a milestone, his impact on Arapahoe tennis goes further back than just those 10 years. 

Pete’s family moved from Atlanta to Colorado in 1996. Growing up, he wanted to play every sport possible. When he was around 9, he asked to go with his mom to the tennis courts and, as he got older, he found himself playing more and more tennis. Just a few years after moving to Colorado, Pete made his high school’s varsity team as a freshman. That high school was none other than Arapahoe!

As a player for Arapahoe, Pete had a successful career. He played No. 1 doubles his freshman year, followed by three years at No. 1 singles, and qualified for state all four years. 

“High school tennis is where my passion for tennis really grew. Being able to be a part of a team in a competitive environment drove me to want to continue my playing career” he says. 

He went on to play at the University of Northern Colorado where the team qualified for the NCAA Division II National tournament his freshman year. The following year, the team moved from Division II to Division I. 

“It was certainly a period of transition, but we got to play some incredible competition. My senior year, I beat a player from Air Force who I had lost to five or six times in a row, so while the jump in level of play was challenging, it made us better players.”

After college, Pete became a social studies teacher – specifically US History and Government – and knew that he wanted to help kids grow in both the classroom and on the tennis court. 

“I love that an “individual sport” can be a team sport for high school players. The relationships and camaraderie that are built during four years of high school tennis are incredible”, he says. 

He was lucky enough to start coaching at Chapparal High School with Ed Anderson, where various players finished in the top four at state in their respective positions. Pete says, “We had some incredible players and teams that competed with, and were able to knock off, some of the perennial powerhouses in the Continental League”.

When the opportunity opened up to both teach and coach the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams at his alma mater, Pete knew it was the right move. Pete’s success with Arapahoe tennis has been just as strong as a coach as it had been when he was a player. The boys’ team has reached the quarterfinals of the 5A state tournament the last two years, as well as pulling off the first-ever first round upset in the dual state tournament last year. The boys’ No. 3 singles player placed fourth^h at the individual state tournament last year and, a few years ago, the girls’ team qualified all 11 players to state.

Much of Pete’s success is due to his ability to build relationships. Bethany Brookens, CHSAA Tennis Commissioner and USTA Colorado board member, says “Pete is amazing. He is always looking out for the best interest of tennis across the state, not just his team. He is an honest, down to earth, hardworking guy.” These qualities are also recognized in his work in the classroom as he was named the 2020-2021 Arapahoe High School Teacher of the Year.

Pete’s passion for helping others means he doesn’t play much anymore. He says, “I have dabbled in 5.0 and 4.5 leagues the past couple of summers. I truly just love coaching the high school teams and playing tennis with and watching my 13 year-old daughter and 10 year-old son play”. Pete adds, “My favorite memories have been watching players grow and overcome obstacles both on and off the court. Tennis, like other sports, teaches resiliency, mental toughness, etc… There have been countless teams and athletes that I have been lucky enough to have coached that have grown incredibly.” 

No doubt, there are countless Arapahoe High School tennis players and students who feel the same sense of gratitude for having Pete Wehyrich in their lives.

To keep up to date with how the Arapahoe tennis teams do this season, you can follow them on Instagram @araptennis.com

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