Siblings Micah and Eli Ward make Kansas tennis history with dual state titles

When both of your parents are tennis coaches, high performance is in your DNA.

Siblings Micah and Eli Ward have played tennis their whole lives, amassing many wins and awards throughout their junior careers. Their parents, Jared Ward and Christy Ward, are both USPTA Elite Professional coaches at Jayhawk Tennis Center. They couldn’t be prouder of the players — and people — their children have become.

“They are kind, resilient, resourceful and brave, all qualities that tennis has helped them develop,” Jared said. “At the end of the day, that’s more important than any trophies or awards they win.”

“I’m extremely proud of both of them as a parent and a coach,” Christy added. “Their successes in both areas are reassuring that we are at least on the right track.”

This past year alone was a banner one for the Ward siblings. Micah capped off an undefeated senior season with a Kansas 6A singles state championship in his only season of high school tennis. He became the first boys’ tennis player from Free State High School to win a state title, and he helped the team to its best-ever state finish.

Prior to his achievement, Eli won the Kansas 6A singles state championship as a freshman in dominant fashion in the fall to complete an undefeated season. As a result of both of their championships, they became the first siblings in Kansas 6A and Free State High School history to win state in the same school year.

“It was amazing,” Micah said. “I worked really hard to make that happen, and the team worked really hard to accomplish the best finish in Free State history.

“I also think it’s really cool that my sister and I went undefeated and won in the same year. Her success is what made me want to play high school tennis for the first time myself. I’m proud of her and of our whole family for what it took to accomplish this.”

“I was more excited this spring when he won the boys’ title than I was when I actually won the girls’ last fall,” Eli said. “It means more having done it together than just getting it alone. It is way better as a family.”

The Wards’ success comes from a deep love for tennis and respect for their fellow competitors. Both Micah and Eli have won awards for displaying good sportsmanship, something they both believe makes the game better. Micah received multiple national sportsmanship recognitions last year, while Eli was a 2024 USTA Missouri Valley Junior Sportsmanship Award winner.