Ward Melville's tennis player Shashank Pennabadi was awarded the Sportsmanship Award for his performance during the NYSPHSAA Championships.
Pennabadihas been in the tennis spotlight for years. He and his brother won the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Doubles Title last year. The year prior to that he helped Ward Melville to the Suffolk team final and finished 3rd in the states in doubles competition. Pennabadi was 10-0 at singles 18-1 in all his doubles matches that season.
This year Pennabadi beat Cranfield by winning 6-1 in the first set and then 6-3 to secure the 2nd round in the states. UTR Sports ranks him as the top tennis player, and he finished as the runner up in the Suffolk County singles championships.
Pennabadi has decided to continue his playing career at South Carolina State University next season.