Dozens of local tennis players were at W.F. West High School on Saturday morning, when the fifth annual Jack State Invitational took place.
In addition to casual match play, players participated in drills and shared stories and memories of State.
In addition to current and former W.F. West tennis players, players from other schools also joined along with younger and older members of the local tennis community. Thorbeckes Tennis Director TJ Underwood encouraged players to pair with others that they may not have competed with in the past.
“One of the things really fun about this is seeing different kids come in,” Kristin State Hutchison, State’s daughter, said. “It’s just a nice gathering of people. I think it’s something that (State) would appreciate.”
Along with her brother, Kyle State, State Hutchinson co-founded the Jack State Foundation after State’s passing in 2024.
The foundation “is dedicated to empowering student athletes, ensuring access to sport is never hindered by finances, and granting young people the opportunity to play,” according to the foundation’s website.
“That is something that was important to my dad,” State Hutchinson said. “Our goal is to make it possible for kids to participate in sports. “We want to be able to help.”
In addition to giving out “mini-grants,” the foundation also partners with the Lewis County Tennis Association to run free beginners clinics, lessons that State helped jumpstart while he was coaching at W.F. West.
More lessons are taking place throughout the next few weeks, as well as multiple tournaments for all ages. For the full schedule, visit the LCTA website.
“We’re really trying to engage the tennis community,” State Hutchinson said. “(The Invitational) happening on the first Saturday of July is a kickoff for the month … Using this as a catalyst to kickstart this month is always something fun.”
