LebCo Athlete of the Week: Brett Wenger

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Brett Wenger

During the week of March 23rd, ELCO Tennis senior Brett Wenger put together a perfect week at the top of the Raiders’ lineup, helping power ELCO to a 2-0 stretch with wins over Elizabethtown and Lancaster Catholic. ELCO’s No. 1 singles player, Wenger went 4-0 on the week, winning both of his singles matches and both of his doubles matches alongside partner Jevan Marquette. Those efforts earned Wenger recognition as the LebCo Athlete of the Week.

Known as “Chet” to friends and teammates, Wenger has embraced a leadership role for a Raiders team that has built its success on depth and consistency. He said that balance throughout the lineup helps take pressure off the top spot, and it also speaks to the chemistry ELCO brings to every match.

“Our team is very deep and consistent throughout our lineup,” Wenger said. “This takes a lot of the pressure off and allows me to just play the best tennis that I am capable of. We have great team chemistry, which can also be seen on the court.”

That team chemistry Wenger referenced has led the Raiders to a 6-2 record. Wenger’s leadership and solid play out of the top spot in the Raiders lineup have anchored the early-season success.

Wenger’s goals for the season are clear and postseason-driven. He wants ELCO to qualify for team districts, and he also has individual goals of reaching District 3 in both singles and doubles. From there, the target is to qualify for States in at least one of those events.

Behind that confidence is a story built on steady improvement. Wenger said he didn’t grow up as the established player he is today. He started playing tennis competitively as a freshman and described himself as one of the worst players on the team at the time. The progress, he said, has been earned through repetition, commitment, and countless hours of work, and he hopes that message sticks with anyone trying to build something from scratch.

If last spring was any indication, Wenger knows what it takes to get there. He helped ELCO qualify for the District 3 team tournament and also reached districts in doubles with partner Tate Lovell, experience that now fuels the push to take another step.

Lovell & Wenger

Wenger also made it a point to recognize the people who have helped shape his growth. He thanked Coach Mealy for his commitment to ELCO athletes, along with Coaches Gyorke, Malachi, and Cathy for their dedication to helping the team improve on the court and as people. He also credited Coach Greg at Bent Creek for helping elevate his game, and he gave a shoutout to Ethan Mengel, JJ Marte, and Theo Vogt-Post for training with him in the offseason. He also thanked God and his family.

Wenger is a multi-sport standout at ELCO as well. In addition to tennis, he was the Raiders’ top golfer this fall, showing the same competitive edge across seasons

Athletics also run in the family. His sister, Julia Wenger, is a sophomore at ELCO and recently broke the school single-season assist record this past fall. His father, Corey, also attended ELCO and played baseball, basketball, and football before going on to play football at Robert Morris. He now coaches at Lebanon Valley College, where he has become a fixture instructing the defensive secondary.

When he isn’t training, Wenger is usually with his friends, a tight-knit group he says enjoys simply being together. And away from competition, he has another passion, too. Wenger is a guitar player who has been playing for about 2.5 years, and he said he’s hoping to add piano to his list next.

Looking ahead, Wenger plans to attend UNC Wilmington, where he will major in coastal engineering and continue playing through club tennis.

The thing he enjoys most about sports always circles back to competing. Wenger said he wants to win more than anything, but he’s also learned that losing can be valuable when it exposes weaknesses and pushes growth.

It’s a mindset that fits his favorite saying, and the way he’s built his game.

“Failure does not define you,” Wenger said. “How you respond does.”

Congratulations to Brett on being named LebCo Athlete of the Week, and best of luck to “Chet” and the Raiders as they continue their push toward becoming District 3 qualifiers.

Photos provided by the Wenger family

LebCo Female Athlete of the Week: Chloe Shirk