GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. (BVM) — For high school athletes, finishing their career with a signature moment is something they dream of. 

For Grosse Pointe University Liggett student-athlete William Cooksey, winning his fourth state title in boys tennis this year put him in rare company.

After defeating Andrew Solarewicz of Grand Rapids West Catholic (6-0, 6-3) in the state finals, he became the first player in Division 2 to win four titles at the No. 1 position. 

This was the first time the feat happened in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula at any division since 1960, when Francisco Castillo reached the accomplishment. Marquette Senior High School student-athlete Alec Olivier won four titles from (2016-2019). Overall, only five athletes in the state have ever notched this achievement. 

Grosse Pointe University Liggett’s boys tennis head coach, Mark Sobieralski, noted it was rewarding to see Cooksey win the title.

“It was incredible and I was proud of him,” Sobieralski said. “I really appreciated him. I thanked him for playing high school tennis. He played for the team and the school.”

Cooksey stated he didn’t have much time to focus on the feat as he noticed his teammates came to see the match.

“It was two or three days after we won the team tournament, so all the guys were still super pumped, and my coach was like ‘let’s get a bus, let’s get all the guys down,’” Cooksey said. “They were all there and they were cheering me on, and it was definitely a cool moment. It felt great.”

After finding out the rarity of what he accomplished by winning his fourth state title, Cooksey noted that, “It was definitely cool to etch my name in the record (book).”

Adding significance to the feat, he won the state title at Portland High School, where he competed in his first match as a freshman. He added that it was cool to win the championship where he began playing for the Knights.

Cooksey played multiple sports growing up. He estimates he began playing tennis between the ages of 4 and 5. He would continue playing basketball, soccer and baseball, before settling on tennis as he turned 13. 

“I tried to really focus on it then, and I guess it paid off,” Cooksey said. “It’s going good.”

After shifting his focus to just one sport, Cooksey, then 5-foot-6, struggled initially against opponents who were bigger than him. However, his fortunes would soon change.

“Right around freshman year of high school, I got some confidence after doing well,” he said. “Then I started growing from there, I started doing well on the tournament circuit, and that’s when I knew, ‘Hey, this is gonna be a serious thing for me.’”

Cooksey expressed that it was a big deal to win a state title as a freshman, because it was his first time in a team environment.

“I was always playing tournaments on my own, and I got to high school and I saw that tennis could be a team sport,” he said. “You’re cheering on guys from different courts and you’re traveling together, so it was a really cool experience for me.”

Sobieralski stated Cooksey’s triumph in his first year was an indicator of things to come. 

“Right away, we knew we had someone special,” he said. 

Cooksey expressed that it was rewarding to defeat players he faced previously on his way to the title.

“I played a couple of kids my freshman year throughout the season who were good tournament players that I lost to,” Cooksey said. “But in the state tournament, I ended up winning it and that just gave me a good sign (and told me), ‘Hey, I can compete with these guys.’”

Between battling a wrist injury and dealing with effects brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Cooksey didn’t play in a tournament for eight months. He used that time to get his timing back and prepare for the upcoming season.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) adapted the format for this year’s boys tennis championship. The event had a round-robin format where the champion needed to win three straight matches. Additionally, the individual title was contested separately from the team title. 

Cooksey noted that he liked the change in this year’s format.

“I actually enjoyed it more because we were all playing together as a team,” he said. “I could watch all the guys play and cheer them on, so I kind of liked that better.”

Cooksey added an individual trophy to go along with the one earned as the Knights won the team title. He said it was amazing to see the team win the state title.

“The team title was my favorite part of my high school career,” Cooksey said. “I would want that more than individual (titles) to be honest. Having my buddies there with me and winning the team and everyone contributing, that was a great feeling.”

Sobieralski stated one of the best things about Cooksey is despite his success on the court, his demeanor hasn’t changed. And in most cases, he looks to help his teammates improve.

“He’s a total team player,” Sobieralski said. “He’s not selfish and he’s in it for the team.” 

Cooksey expressed that his relationship with his teammates helps keep him grounded. 

“The guys on the team, they’re like my best friends just in general, so there’s no need to act different,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s just a sport, so I think just staying humble and treating everyone right is what it’s all about.”

As for how he handles himself in competition, Cooksey credits not being complacent as one of the keys to his success.

“There’s always going to be someone better than you out there,” Cooksey said. “So I don’t change my personality based on results much. I try to focus on being my best self and improving everyday.”

In addition to his success locally, Cooksey won the under-18 boys single title at the United States Tennis Association (USTA) National Indoor Championships in Kansas City, Mo. last year. 

Entering the tournament unseeded, Cooksey looked to show what he could do on a big stage. 

“I ended up playing my best tennis, dictated play, and ended up winning a national title at 16, when I was playing 18U division,” he said. “Individually, that was my best accomplishment, and I’m proud to have that with me forever.”

Next year, Cooksey will attend the University of Michigan and compete for its men’s tennis program. He stated that a combination of the coaches, team and family connections made the choice to attend Michigan easy.

“My parents went there. I live an hour away and a combination of the team and academics, I just felt like they had it all, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said. 

With what he’s seen of Cooksey in high school, Sobieralski thinks it will be a smooth transition for him at the next level.

“Obviously, the guys are bigger and stronger, but Will is like a college athlete now,” he said. “I think he’s going to adjust pretty well.”

However, Cooksey believes it’s a matter of building on his high school experience.

“I think just bringing more of what I learned in high school and implementing that at a higher level is going to be the biggest factor for me,” he said. “At the end of the day, I think I’m ready for it.”

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