TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - Five years of donning the Marauder uniform - over for Maclay senior William Perrigan.
"It's been a long run here, but every good time comes to an end so I'm excited to see what's ahead," he said.
What's ahead is four more years of collegiate tennis at Florida Southern, and what he's left behind? Appearances at state his junior and senior seasons.
"Having a talented number one player like that, we're going to have to have some players step up, so we're certainly going to miss his talent," said head coach John Vinson. "I just enjoy being around him, he's helped me with my camps. We'll miss him. Just a good guy."
"I've been playing tennis for at least like eight years," added William. "To know it's not going to just end at the high school, it's just exciting."
William's hard work on the court has paid off - and that work ethic translates to the classroom, as he balanaces a 3.86 GPA.
"All the kids here are very serious about it," laughed coach Vinson. "They all plan to attend a college somewhere. It's partly a battle on my part to try to keep tennis up there near the top. I know academics come first, but as a coach, you want them to be devoted to the sport. That's a battle, but I appreciate that battle."
It's a battle William's excelled at - and the next goal? To excel at the next level.
"I love playing with new people, playing at a new place," he said. "I'm extremely excited to be able to do that."
"He definitely has not reached his full potential yet," said coach Vinson. "He's got another 50-60 percent of ability to achieve over the next few years, and he can certainly do it."
Do it - and create a whole new legacy at Florida Southern."
