Pensacola Catholic’s Benjamin Ling has taken on the primary singles position for the boys tennis crew, a spot that was once full of gamers like his older brother, Patrick.
Now, Ling mentioned whereas he is nonetheless getting used to being in that high spot, he is embracing the “management” position that comes with the duty for the Crusaders.
Through the week of Feb. 12-17, Pensacola Catholic cut up matches with Northridge (Alabama) and Niceville, however Ling was in high kind profitable each of his particular person matches. He was additionally on the profitable facet of first doubles, topping Northridge with Gannon Davis, and Niceville with Andrew Swan.
That led to Ling being named the PNJ Athlete of the Week, the place he earned an astounding 65.24% of the overall vote the next week on PNJ.com.
Every winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ.com Athlete of the Week T-shirt, supplied by BSN Sports activities.
Beneath is a fast question-and-answer session with Ling after PNJ sports activities reporter Ben Grieco spoke with him this previous week. Test again later for future winners and to vote within the subsequent PNJ Athlete of the Week ballot.
Q and A with Pensacola Catholic’s Benjamin Ling
PNJ: Early on in your senior season, how has the yr been treating you?
Ling: “It’s been going fairly nicely. I had a tough slightly tough patch this previous weekend (in Baton Rouge) and performed some robust opponents. Aside from that, I’ve been taking part in nicely. I’ve appreciated how my recreation’s developed. I’m blissful about that.”
PNJ: What would you say the largest growth is that you simply’ve seen going into your senior yr?
Ling: “I’m going to see my mentality. … I’m simply much more mentally sturdy and sticking with it.”
PNJ: Is there something that led to that?
Ling: “Only a buildup through the years. I’ve performed in some robust matches and had some robust losses. I’ve grown from that.”
PNJ: You point out the tough patch with some good opponents in Louisiana and Alabama. What’s it like dealing with not solely good native competitors, however going out of state to face these groups?
Ling: “It’s superb. Actually, I actually what Coach Watts does, constructing us a robust schedule. It helps us develop into the perfect gamers we will. It’s actually good competitors on the market.”
PNJ: If you go towards high competitors like that, can you decide issues up from opponents? Issues that they could do?
Ling: “For certain. Completely different photographs that may be engaged on you, you simply attempt to replicate that.”
PNJ: And this yr, you’ve been featured in first singles all season. What’s it imply to you to be that first man up?
Ling: “It’s a giant leap. I’m nonetheless getting used to it. Once I stroll on the courtroom, I nonetheless think about myself taking part in subsequent to Justin (Lyons) and my brother, Patrick, after which I’d be in third singles. … General, I just like the management position. I like being the person.”
PNJ: Are there any main variations making the leap from a spot like third singles to first singles?
Ling: “It’s only a lot harder opponents. Nobody’s giving up at first singles. You’re taking part in the perfect participant from every faculty, so that you’ve acquired to battle for each match.”
PNJ: You’ve additionally been in first doubles, primarily with Gannon Davis all through the season. What’s it like taking part in like with Gannon? What’s the chemistry like?
Ling: “We began selecting it up final yr. We tried it out. It’s actually good. Gannon’s grinder. I simply decide it off the online. We’ve actually good chemistry.”
PNJ: Is there something completely different about your recreation going from first singles to first doubles?
Ling: “I’m much more aggressive at doubles. I like that kind of factor higher.”
PNJ: And your brother, Patrick, is taking part in at Holy Cross now, proper? What’s it prefer to type of comply with in his footsteps on the crew?
Ling: “Sure he’s. It’s been cool. Simply watching him win lots of these matches, I used to be capable of decide stuff up from his matches. It’s enjoyable to see somebody play on the Division I stage.”
PNJ: Do you might have any school tennis objectives?
Ling: “I believe I’m going extra the tutorial route. I’m making an attempt to get into a much bigger faculty. However, truthfully, you by no means know.”
PNJ: Now just a few questions on your teammates. Who would you say is your funniest teammate?
Ling: “My funniest teammate? Most likely Sam Locklear. He says lots of issues which are random and out of nowhere. I like that.”
PNJ: And clearly tennis is non-contact, however who would you say your ‘hardest’ teammate is? And we’ll use it within the type of somebody you wouldn’t wish to go towards.
Ling: “On the courtroom? I wouldn’t wish to go towards Andrew Swan. He smacks the ball bit.”
PNJ: Who’s your hardest-working teammate?
Ling: “Most likely John Falce. He works tougher than me, I believe. He’s simply actually devoted. I’m impressed by it.”
PNJ: Out of anybody on the planet, who would your dream doubles associate be?
Ling: “I’d must say Ben Shelton.”
PNJ: In the event you needed to decide one participant on the planet to go towards in a singles match, who would you wish to go towards?
Ling: “I’ll say my brother, Patrick.”
PNJ: Is there one courtroom all over the world that you simply’ve all the time dreamed of taking part in?
Ling: “Most likely Wimbledon Centre Court docket. Or any courtroom at Wimbledon. I’ve all the time wished to play on grass. I’ve by no means finished that.”
PNJ: Now for some non-tennis associated questions. In the event you needed to have one meal for the remainder of your life, what would it not be?
Ling: “That’s a troublesome one. I’d say Chipotle.”
PNJ: What’s your go-to order?
Ling: “I’ll get a burrito bowl. Each rices, each beans. Rooster, queso, cheese after which double of every little thing. Plus a tortilla on the facet.”
PNJ: In the event you have been capable of journey to 1 place, what would it not be?
Ling: “Most likely Tahiti or Bora Bora. They’re simply actually fairly.”
PNJ: How a couple of superpower? What would you need?
Ling: “I like teleportation. That manner I can go wherever.”
PNJ: Do you favor the acute warmth or the acute chilly?
Ling: “Most likely the acute warmth. I’m used it to right here in Florida. I completely hate the chilly.”
Ben Grieco is a sports activities reporter for the Pensacola Information Journal. He could be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and through e mail at BGrieco@gannett.com.
This text initially appeared on Pensacola Information Journal: Pensacola Catholic’s Benjamin Ling is the most recent PNJ Athlete of the Week
