Boone offers middle school boys’ tennis program

With the start of the 2024-25 school year just around the corner USTA Iowa is featuring Jed Hammen and the Boone tennis programs.

Jed Hammen is entering his eighth year as head coach of the Boone High School boys’ tennis team. He recently started up a middle school program in order to get more kids interested in tennis and to feed into the high school tennis program. 

“The girls’ coach had been doing one for a couple years, getting 10 to 14 girls every Sunday,” Hammen said. “We decided to join in, and last year we averaged around six to eight boys each Sunday. This year we have 10 to 14 on any given Sunday night.”

Hammen spends each Sunday with his varsity players who lead stations where they work on forehands, backhands, serving and volleying. Once the middle school players become more advanced, they learn how to play games and sets. Hammen said it’s been great seeing the high schoolers giving back to the program.

“Having younger kids getting racquets in their hands sooner helps us have kids more ready by their freshman year,” Hammen said. “My first few years I was teaching basic skills at the freshman level. Our hope is to have kids more advanced by the time they hit high school.”

The middle school program runs May through October and utilizes community courts shared with the city. The goal, Hammen said, is to continue to grow.

“I love seeing my athletes have success and grow with confidence,” Hammen said. “I absolutely love my time on the courts with all my athletes.”

Boone is a community of around 12,400 people located 17 miles west of Ames. For photos and additional information about the Boone Community School District tennis programs, click here.