A lifetime of tennis experience, a new coaching philosophy and an optimistic outlook for Flathead tennis. These are all things that Mark Luna brings with him to the Braves tennis program.
After 20 years under coach Larry SanderS and two consecutive boys state championships, Luna replaces the retired Sanders as the new head tennis coach of the Braves. Luna brings with him a lifetime of tennis experience from Denver and Pueblo Colorado.
"My dad was a state champion in high school," said Luna. "I also won the Colorado state championship in high school and have since then lead Denver West High School and Pueblo, South High School to a state championship each."
Luna was raised playing in inner-city Denver and because of that experience has become an avid supporter of tennis programs for minority and low income families.
"I'm a member of the National Multi-Cultural Committee for the U.S. Professional Tennis Association and a liason for the Montana Tennis Association," said Luna. "I'm currently working with kids in the Salish Kootenai Tribe, giving them tennis lessons."
Minorities have been a focus for the Native American tennis coach, whose inspiration is the deceased African-American tennis champion Arthur Ash.
"Arthur Ash is such a hero of mine," said Luna. "He always had to play with the court being bigger on the other side."
Luna also brings a new coaching philosophy to the Braves. This philosophy focuses on hard work and equal time spent for both the men's and women's teams.
"Athlete first, winning second," says Luna. "This means that each athlete as an individual will learn something and continue to strive to do their best and that in turn will result in winning."
Luna plans on spending equal time with both the state champion men's team and the women's team.
"Women's sports have always been neglected," said Luna. "Assistant coach Fafa Heitert and I plan to spend equal time with the women's team and the men's team."
Said senior Sarah Welling: "He's got new ideas to improve the team. I think the girls have a really good chance since we have so many freshman coming up that are really good."
"(Luna is) a lot different than Larry," said sophomore Brett Winegar. "I can already predict that this year will be a lot different than last year."
Luna comes into his first year at FHS with a sense of optimism for both teams.
Said Luna: "I feel that with my 20 years of coaching experience, I will keep he boys at that same level and the women's team will be stronger than last year with the new sophomores."