Bragg’s Big Year: The East Fairmont tennis standout’s last dance in an already decorated career

FAIRMONT — For every athlete, no matter the age or level of play, there’s almost nothing more important than finishing the last stretch of your career on a high note. To win a title, cement your name in the history books, and make memories that will surely last a lifetime, though, the most significant part of your career is actually the work put in when nobody is watching.

East Fairmont senior tennis player Hunter Bragg knows this almost better than anyone.

Bragg isn’t just a seasoned veteran on a Bees’ squad that has cashed in on success for consecutive years. He’s a four-year member of the varsity team, a No. 1 seed in W.Va. boys high school tennis, and in the words of head coach Scott Reed, part of the “foundation” of the East Fairmont tennis program the last few years.

Off the court, he’s a standout student at East Fairmont High, a member of the National Honor Society, and a beloved teammate, friend and son. It’s safe to say that Bragg is a regular jack of all trades. It’s clear that he’s a determined individual who once has his mind set on accomplishing something will stop at nothing to achieve his dreams.

What makes his story even more unique, though, is the road he’s taken to become one of East Fairmont’s most decorated tennis players in recent years. That road started with his mom, Julie, encouraging him to pursue tennis for the first time once reaching his freshman year of high school.

“I had never played tennis a day in my life before my freshman year of high school,” Bragg said. “I had played golf and basketball already my freshman year and I was looking to stay active and in shape, but I wasn’t so sure about playing tennis. My mom told me to go to one practice. She said if I hated it, I didn’t have to go back.”

“Needless to say, I fell in love with tennis my first day, and it soon became my favorite sport.”

Throughout his career as part of the Bees’ tennis team despite having never picked up a racket until that first year, Bragg has racked up numerous accolades. He’s a Big X Conference tournament doubles winner, a Regional doubles winner, and a Regional singles championship runner-up.

While his singles’ runner-up may appear as his biggest accomplishment to date, Bragg’s time playing doubles, in his eyes, has been the most rewarding. The reason? Getting to play alongside his longtime best friend and fellow senior, Haydyn Dudash.

“Haydyn has been one of my best friends since first grade,” Bragg said. “I talked him into joining the tennis team and he ended up sticking with it. I was playing No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles my freshman year, and I told Haydyn to keep showing up, because some of the older boys at the time would choose work over tennis. This gave him an opportunity to move into a position for the following season.”

“Our sophomore year through senior year we became No. 1 doubles partners. We know each other’s moves, and it’s just been great. I love him like a brother.”

Although Bragg’s relationship with Dudash on and off the court has had a major impact on his tennis journey, he also credits his close relationship with Coach Reed as part of the reason he stuck around on the team in the first place. In an age where solid player-coach relationships are hard to come by, it’s apparent that these two have nothing but mutual respect and appreciation for one another.

“Coach Reed is the reason I became so passionate about tennis so quick,” Bragg said. “I bought all in because he believed in me and saw my potential. He’s pushed me to become the player I am today.”

In an article written about the duo last season, Reed stated that Bragg was “extremely coachable,” and this season has viewed him as a leader both on and off the court.

As it currently stands, East Fairmont holds a 14-1 record overall and remains 9-0 in the Big X Conference. For Bragg, with the conference tournament just a few weeks away, followed by Regionals and then a chance to appear in the W.Va. state tennis tournament, this last stretch of the regular season is nothing short of important if the Bees hope to replicate last season’s success and add to their impressive resume.

Unfortunately, though, all good things must come to an end. As a senior with high school graduation waiting in the wings, Bragg is already proactively thinking about his future. Despite his current uncertainty, it’s clear that he hopes there might still be a place for tennis wherever he chooses to end up in the fall.

“My plans after high school are either to go to Fairmont State and major in business administration human resources, or accept an offer to play tennis at one of the schools I have received offers from,” Bragg said. “If I go to Fairmont State, I want to get an internship after my freshman year hopefully at the FBI.”

With time still left to decide, Bragg currently has offers to play tennis at the next level from Salem University, Waynesburg University, West Virginia Wesleyan, and a few schools farther away from home. For now, though, his sights are set on continuing to make history at East Fairmont while enjoying one last ride with his teammates and coach.

If anything, Bragg’s tennis career has been nothing but unconventional. From never picking up a racket to becoming a No. 1 seeded player, it’s fair to say that his journey has not just been one of success, but one that could be viewed as inspiring for young athletes unsure of what to do next.

For Bragg, he’ll continue to don the East Fairmont gold, navy, and white until it’s time to embark on the next phase of his journey. He may just do the next thing unconventionally, too.