VANCOUVER, Wash. – (Jan. 26) The Seattle University men’s tennis team is set to start the 2018 season with a road match at Portland State on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Club Green Meadows tennis courts.
The Redhawks finished a successful fall season after ending the 2016-17 spring season with a 10-15 overall record. Head coach Adam Reeb is excited about the spring season to begin and show what the team has improved on.
One of the athletes is Jeremiah Kalmus, and we sat with him to get to know him a little better ahead of the beginning of the 2018 season.
Where are you from?
Kenmore Washington
What attracted you to tennis?
A close friend of mine at the time decided to try tennis and asked if I would like to join the junior program they were in for fun. I joined and soon found out I had a little bit of talent for the sport and my junior career took off from there.
What is your favorite thing about living in Seattle?
I would have to say the multitude of different places there are to eat is a dream come true. I have a large appetite and having so many different types of restaurants just within walking distance never leaves me in anything other than a good mood.
What kind of music would we find on your phone?
You'll find all kinds of music. My favorite genre would have to be rock and roll, both old school (70's and 80's) and modern rock. I also have hip-hop, rap, and pop songs, as well as a playlist or two with jazz and classical music for study sessions and relaxing evenings.
What is your favorite type of food?
This is a tough question for me. I would have to say chicken teriyaki has to be my favorite meal. I remember one summer when I was at home, my dad would always ask what I wanted for lunch and I nearly always said chicken teriyaki. If I remember right, I think I had it about 4 or 5 days a week, every week that summer. It's just a dish I never get tired of.
Who is your favorite athlete?
Roger Federer without a doubt. He has such an elegant and beautiful way of playing the game of tennis that it's hard not to be awed. He also has a class act attitude on and off the court making it difficult not to like him no matter how many matches he wins.
What is your best memory as a Redhawk?
One that stands out clearly in my mind is winning WAC player of the week for the first time last year. I feel like I failed to achieve my full potential my freshman year, so getting that award and recognition last year gave me a large amount of confidence and it was the first time I felt like I was fully appreciated on the team. It was a very proud moment for me.
What is your favorite tv show, and why?
I don't watch TV that often actually. If I do watch TV it is usually sports, however, I do like watching the show shark tank if I happen to be watching TV at home.
What is your hidden talent?
I can do some voices of cartoon characters pretty well. I memorized many of the most notable lines that they say too so I can do a pretty good job acting it out. Normally good enough to get a few laughs and smiles.
What is your favorite, and least favorite subject in school?
My favorite subject at this point would have to be physics. It is a difficult subject for sure but I find it really interesting learning how the universe operates. My least favorite subject would be writing. I took a writing class my freshman year and I did not have a very good time with it.
Other than tennis, what is your favorite sport to watch, and why?
Basketball is my next top choice. My dad is really into basketball because it is the sport that he played during his youth. When I was much younger, I would always stay up and watch basketball games with him. It has always been a game that I have enjoyed watching because of that connection with my dad.
What is your favorite hobby?
My hobbies have been changing for the past little while. Currently, I really like to go hiking. Since the tennis season is this time of year in addition to school I don't have many opportunities to get into the mountains, but after the season is over, I am planning to go a bunch.
What is one item you’d like to cross off your bucket list this year?
Well, besides winning the WAC championship... I would say that I have always wanted to go to each of the four major tennis tournaments and considering that the US Open is the closest and likely the cheapest to get into, I would really like to go experience it firsthand.
If you were stuck on an island with one teammate, who would it be, and why?
I love all of my teammates so these kinds of questions are hard for me. I would have to pick Michael Schoettler because we both came to Seattle U the same year and have been through the most good and difficult times together since then. We know how we each deal with adversity and on top of that, we are also very good friends. In terms of survival, I know him to be a knowledgeable guy that I trust to help us stay alive.