2008 Woodie Awards
Brother and sister are aces for Webster
By: Matt Grover
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Sports
After a year in Spain, Rolf Rothermel's body began to betray him. A shoulder injury led to an operation that would sideline him for five months. While training for his return, he encountered another pitfall when he injuredhis knee.
"I trained too hard and blew my knee out, so I had to have an operation on that," Rolf Rothermel said. "As soon as that (knee) operation was over, I decided it was time to get a job."
During this time, Raquel Rothermel, an international business major, was already at Webster starting her freshman season that saw her crowned 2006 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year. She was also named to the SLIAC All-Conference Teams in single and doubles competition.
"I was happy about it," Raquel Rothermel said modestly about her accolades.
In a short time, Raquel Rothermel had grown fond of St. Louis and Webster University. Rolf took notice.
"Raquel told me good things about St. Louis," he said. "So, I decided to come out."
Upon arriving at Webster, Rolf Rothermel, who also is an international business major, joined the men's tennis team in time for the 2007 season. He was inserted into the No.1 position after Head Coach Mike Siener and junior co-captain Zach Mangelsdorf were impressed by his play in the fall matches 2006.
"Talent wise, Rolf is above everybody we have on the roster," Siener said.
Rolf Rothermel, however, had difficulty conquering an old foe: injuries. A back injury and recurring problems with his knee dampened his inaugural season with the Gorloks.
"I didn't get to train with the team at all during the beginning of the season," Rolf Rothermel said. "The first couple of matches I hadn't actually practiced at all when I played them."
His injuries resulted in finishing the regular season 3-3 in singles competition and in third place at the SLIAC Conference Tournament April 20 and 21 in Forest Park. Rolf Rothermel also credited injuries for his lackluster 1-5 record with teammate freshman Tomoya Homma.
"I trained too hard and blew my knee out, so I had to have an operation on that," Rolf Rothermel said. "As soon as that (knee) operation was over, I decided it was time to get a job."
During this time, Raquel Rothermel, an international business major, was already at Webster starting her freshman season that saw her crowned 2006 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year. She was also named to the SLIAC All-Conference Teams in single and doubles competition.
"I was happy about it," Raquel Rothermel said modestly about her accolades.
In a short time, Raquel Rothermel had grown fond of St. Louis and Webster University. Rolf took notice.
"Raquel told me good things about St. Louis," he said. "So, I decided to come out."
Upon arriving at Webster, Rolf Rothermel, who also is an international business major, joined the men's tennis team in time for the 2007 season. He was inserted into the No.1 position after Head Coach Mike Siener and junior co-captain Zach Mangelsdorf were impressed by his play in the fall matches 2006.
"Talent wise, Rolf is above everybody we have on the roster," Siener said.
Rolf Rothermel, however, had difficulty conquering an old foe: injuries. A back injury and recurring problems with his knee dampened his inaugural season with the Gorloks.
"I didn't get to train with the team at all during the beginning of the season," Rolf Rothermel said. "The first couple of matches I hadn't actually practiced at all when I played them."
His injuries resulted in finishing the regular season 3-3 in singles competition and in third place at the SLIAC Conference Tournament April 20 and 21 in Forest Park. Rolf Rothermel also credited injuries for his lackluster 1-5 record with teammate freshman Tomoya Homma.
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