Albany Academy's O'Brien driven to be best

Athlete of the Year: Conners O'Brien, Albany Academy

Albany Academy tennis coach Tony Fruscio still remembers Conners O'Brien as a freshman, already in contention for a state title in doubles.

A bounce here or a bounce there, Fruscio recalls. O'Brien and his partner had a 4-1 lead in the third set against a duo that ultimately went on to win the first of two state championships.

Not that O'Brien has needed to rely on a bounce or two, on sheer luck, along the path of a standout career that earned him a second consecutive Athlete of the Year nod from the Times Union.

The senior won four sectional titles, including the past two years as a dominant singles champion that he capped this spring by winning the state singles consolation final.

O'Brien will soon take his leadership and work ethic to the United States Naval Academy.

The country's getting a good one, for sure. O'Brien was a five-sport athlete this year (swimming, winter and spring track seasons, tennis and cross country) along with being a straight-A student.

"He's a very driven kid, and a true leader," Fruscio said. "Conners is always focused, but he's also always positive with everyone around him."

O'Brien took over the top singles spot early in his junior year, after a teammate missed the season because of injury. He admits the pressure this spring was stronger.

"I didn't have another year ahead of me," O'Brien said. "And I know this year everybody was kind of expecting something from me."

Truth is, a lot of people tend to be. He was also valued as a team captain, and often as a van driver for five younger siblings (third grade through junior year of high school — Aidan, William, Brooke, Owen and Blair) to various events. It's helped this year that the East Greenbush family has all of the kids in the same school.

"Being able to understand other people, and multi-task," O'Brien said of what a big family has helped him with as a captain. "I think I can work with everyone. I've got a lot of patience."

O'Brien will take that discipline to Annapolis, Md., where he's interested in studying quantitative economics (we had to look it up, too). He started getting interested in the service academies when he was in middle school. He chose Navy, he said, because of the relative flexibility of career choices.

Fruscio says O'Brien's value was not just in winning matches, but helping teammates to win them, as well.

"Everything becomes more enjoyable when you're fighting for the same mission," O'Brien said. "And not just for yourself."

First team

Singles

Nick Grosso, Fr., Saratoga Springs: Climbed from standing out as a doubles player last year, to becoming the first Blue Streaks' singles finalist.

Mike Kendrick, Jr., CBA: Won a first-round match at states, exceeding expectations after starting the sectional tournament as a No. 5 seed.

David Maher, Sr, Mohonasen: Worked his way up to No. 2 seed in the sectional tournament before a tough pair of losses in the sectional tournament.

Doubles

Conor Brandon, Sr., and Lleyton Emery, So., Bethlehem: Climbed from No. 5 seed at sectional tournament to champs.

Aidan O'Brien, Jr., and William O'Brien, Fr., Albany Academy: Topped Nathan Allan and Trey Keenan of Section V's Penfield, 6-4, 7-6 to take the state doubles consolation championship.

Ricky Dartawan, Jr., and Jarod Rackliffe, Jr., Niskayuna: Dartawan's a repeat first-teamer, and had no trouble regaining that status despite a switch in partner.

Second team

Singles

Ashutosh Yaligar, Jr., Shaker

Damian Bruce, Jr., Gloversville

Keon Armstrong, Jr., Chatham

Doubles

Govind Chari, Jr., and Boyang Zhou, Sr., Bethlehem

Justin Hackshaw, Sr., and Edwin Yang, Jr., Albany Academy

Jonas Cabahug, Jr., and Eldred Cabahug, So., Albany

Coach of the Year

Steve Smith, Bethlehem: Eagles went 19-0 in matches, and even pulled off Class AA team title against strong Albany Academy.

jfranchuk@timesunion.com