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John Russell

John Russell's sports column appears Sundays in Steamboat Today. Contact him at 871-4209 or e-mail jrussell@SteamboatToday.com.

Pueblo — It took only a few minutes for Kent Denver's Vincent Heguy to form an impression on me that will last a lifetime.

Most of the high school tennis players who gathered at Pueblo City Park this past week for the state tennis championships made a statement with their powerful serves, quick backhands and incredible determination. But it wasn't the level of Heguy's play that I will remember years from now - it was his outbursts, the kind that would make George Carlin blush.

Heguy's actions might have been OK for late-night television, but they were not suitable or appropriate for the state high school tennis tournament. I wish the young man would have grabbed my attention with his play on the court, but instead he chose to display his middle finger while hurling a few choice words toward umpire Don Willsie. To his credit, Willsie tried to ignore most of the tirade as it unfolded. But eventually he had to penalize the player and bring his actions to the attention of the tournament committee, which disqualified the Kent Denver player. Unfortunately, that disqualification didn't come until after Heguy's actions had grabbed the attention of the spectators surrounding the court.

I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for Heguy. It was the worst display of sportsmanship I've ever seen. But Heguy was not alone. On Saturday, a player from Pueblo South was disqualified after throwing his racket - three times.

I don't want to beat up on the young men, but their actions showed disrespect for the tournament and their sport. And those traits are becoming too common in high school sports these days.

It's sad, but in a few weeks, few people will remember who won the state title. But you can bet they will remember the poor sportsmanship. It should be a reminder to every player that winning doesn't trump everything at the state tournament. The impressions student-athletes leave on fans reflect on their teams, schools and communities.

I don't know any of the Kent Denver players, but because of Heguy's actions, they will have to work a little harder to gain my respect in the future. Maybe it's not important to them, but it should be.

Students need to understand how powerful a first impression can be and how their actions will be remembered when the tournament has been completed.

In most cases, student-athletes display a level of sportsmanship that should be the goal of every adult softball league and most professional sports franchises. High school students typically are respectful, polite and eager to set a standard that should be admired. And high school athletics should be a venue for which students grow and excel through sports.

It shouldn't be a place where winning is placed above the value of good sportsmanship and fair play. Those are the things that really should leave a lasting impression on all of us.