South's Stillman reflects on final tourney

HARLINGEN — At one point in his life, Tomas Stillman’s biggest thrill was getting a base hit or smashing a home run over the left field fence.

Despite picking up a tennis racquet as young as three-years old, Stillman still enjoyed playing other sports. He might have even enjoyed them more.

It wasn’t until he was a little older that Stillman decided to get serious about tennis.

The move has paid off as the Harlingen South senior will easily go down as one of the top netters in Valley history.

Stillman will make his second consecutive trip to the Class 5A state tournament next week in Austin. As a junior, Stillman finished in second place at state.

For the humble and bright Stillman, he’s just looking to compete.

“I guess a lot of people might think that I’ll need to come back with first place since I was second last year,” he said. “But for me, it’s just another tournament. After high school, I’ll play four more years in college and after that, I might try out the pro tour for a year or two.

“If that doesn’t work, I’ll always have my degree to fall back on. So there’s no real pressure.”

No matter the outcome, this will be Stillman’s final high school tournament. Stillman, who’s signed a letter of intent with the University of Toledo, drew Andrew Kornick of Mansfield in the opening round quarterfinal of the tourney.

Kornick is a big and strong hitter and Stillman loves the challenge that awaits him in Austin next week.

“I like being the underdog,” Stillman said. “If you lose, well you were supposed to lose. If you win, it’s great. So theres no pressure.

“I’m playing who I think is that best player in the tournament in the first round of the biggest tournament of the year. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Now don’t confuse Stillman’s humility for a weakness. He’s going to Austin to compete and to win.

His coach for the past four years and father for the past 18, no one knows Tomas better than Noe Stillman, the veteran South tennis coach.

And if it wasn’t for Noe, Tomas said he wouldn’t be the player and person he’s become.

“I want to share a state title with my dad,” Tomas said. “I want to win it for the community, my family and myself too.

“But especially for my dad. He’s made me the person I am today and I’ve really appreciated having my dad as my coach.”

Noe saw Tomas excel at other sports like baseball and soccer. But once he saw his son hit a tennis ball, he knew Tomas was special.

Still, Noe never pushed him and Tomas came around at his own time and developed into a superb player.

Tomas’ best feature, according to his pop, is his competitive edge.

“It doesn’t matter who he’s playing or in what tournament, I know he’s always going to give me 110 percent,” Noe said. “He pushes himself and gets upset when he doesn’t do well.”

Noe said Tomas will return to Austin the same person but a different pop player in a way.

“He played three close matches last year (in the finals),” Noe said. “He’s bigger and stronger and knows the elements. I think he’s playing at a higher level but he’s still the same ole Tomas.”

Eladio Jaimez is a sportswriter for Valley Freedom Newspapers