SANDUSKY

The all-time leader in wins in Sandusky's history considers a victory over rival Findlay the highlight of his four-year career.

Travis Steinemann has a gratifying list of accomplishments during his career with the Blue Streaks, but a win this season against Findlay tops the list. The senior defeated state-qualifier Chikara Oshima in two sets to seal a 3-2 win.

Steinemann showed he was head and shoulders above the field among the area's tennis players, and earned Fandy.com's distinction as Tennis Player of the Year.

"I think it's a great honor," he said. "Blake Troller (Port Clinton) is a great player, Alex Steinmetz (Willard) is great. Everyone is picking up their game."

Steinemann broke the school record for career wins with 84, and was victorious in 22 matches in each of the last three seasons while playing at No. 1 singles for Sandusky.

In his four years with the varsity squad, the Blue Streaks were 53-15.

Steinemann's roots in the game stemmed from his father, George Steinemann, a 1969 grad who played tennis for Sandusky.

"He pushed me to play more than anything else," said Steinemann, who found enjoyment playing with his teammates. "All the guys on (the team) were great. I enjoyed playing with them and hanging out with them. We're all real close."

During the offseason, Steinemann played in United States Tennis Association tournaments in Toledo and Cleveland, which allowed him to face players from Toledo St. John's and Cleveland St. Ignatius.

Steinemann was a three-time district qualifier, finishing as a second-teamer in all three years.

He was also first-team Greater Buckeye Conference two times as a junior and senior, including the GBC Player of the Year when he won the tournament in 2008. As a sophomore, he was second-team all-conference.

Steinemann, who will attend The Ohio State University in the fall and will play intramural tennis, considers himself a grounded player, never getting overly excited and maintaining his focus on the upcoming point.

And he is confident in his abilities -- something that made life easy for his coach, Bernie Seiler.

"He is one of those coaches that is laid back, but if your doing something wrong, he'll talk to you about it," Steinemann said. "He's always encouraging. When we'd play a team we weren't supposed to beat, he'd say 'Guys, let's see how good you are.'"

Steinemann was 22-3 as a senior, losing two of his three matches in the Division I tournament -- once to Lexington's Nicky Wong and another to Oshima at the district. Both Wong and Oshima were state qualifiers.