Troy HS tennis coach Goldner continues to teach the game in 51st season
TROY, Ohio (BVM) — There aren’t many coaches in any sport at any level that spend over half a century on the job. But Troy High School tennis coach Mark Goldner has, and he is in the midst of his 51st season with the Trojans.
Troy has had just three boys tennis coaches since 1960, with George Dearth and Jerry Lorentz being the other two. Goldner took over the program in 1971, and has also coached the girls program at Troy for the last 13 years.
Goldner graduated from Troy himself in 1966, and was a tennis player at the school. He went on to continue with the sport in college at Bowling Green State University. It wasn’t before long after graduating that he would begin his coaching career, and he has made quite an impact on the program he used to play for.
Over his 51 seasons at the helm, the Trojans have won 25 league championships and 35 sectional titles. They have also made an impressive 45 district appearances while earning a bid to state seven times.
Goldner has won Miami Valley Tennis Coaches Association (MVTCA) boys coach of the year eight times in his career, and has also been inducted into both the MVTCA and Ohio Tennis Coaches Association halls of fame.
The 72-year-old has compiled a 678-189 record over his years of coaching the boys program, and has added an additional 163 wins to his resume since taking over the girls program. He continues to add to that number this spring, as the Trojans are off to a hot start and look to be favorites within the Miami Valley Conference once again.
Troy is led by seniors Genki Masunaga and Noah George, as well as another returning letter winner in junior Henry Johnston. Seniors Wyatt Hench, Matt Bess and Eli Monin have also made big contributions to the squad this season, with sophomore Ohki Kato and freshman Aidan Miller rounding out the lineup.
After having the 2020 season canceled, it is a joy for Goldner and the Trojans to be back on the court. There’s no telling how long the decorated coach will continue going. But as has been the case over the past 50 years, the Troy program will continue to focus on development and success as the season winds down.
