Harry James
Harry James Enjoying the Home Stretch of his Bobcat Career
4/15/2016 10:50:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Consistency has been a hallmark of James' career at MSU
Harry James walked to the Bobcat-Anderson Tennis Center after his 2 pm International Finance class Thursday with a funny feeling.
"I thought about this on the walk over," the lone senior on Montana State's men's tennis team said, "that it's the last practice" before a home match. His home finale as a Bobcat comes Friday morning, when the Bobcats host Portland State at 11 am, with each team's post-season fate on the line.
"It's kind of weird," James said of facing the conclusion of his home career as a Bobcat. His last string of matches begins with Friday's Senior Day ceremonies, and are preceded by a two-match singles win streak. "There's not long to go now, so I'm just trying to enjoy it as long as I can. I've started to relax a bit and with the experience I've had since I've been here, I've played a lot of matches, maybe that shows (in the recent success)."
Bobcat coach Jared Burnham leaves no uncertainty in his feelings about James. "He's our heart and soul," Burnham said of his first Bobcat recruit. "He's been consistent, he works hard, he's a great kid. He's just been a joy to have around."
James' knowledge of the U.S. wasn't acute – "I knew a bit about Yellowstone, of course," he says – when he traveled to Bozeman from his native New Zealand in the spring of 2013. James fortified a veteran team bound for glory. The Cats won the Big Sky regular season crown that year, with James posting a 6-11 overall mark but a 5-3 league ledger.
"I was the guy that had to do the freshman-like things," he said with a laugh. But I had a lot of guys to look up to that were experienced, so that was great, playing with them. I played with Nik (Brandes), who is one of the better players we've had here, and Diego (Campos), and they were great."
Throughout his first three seasons, James was one of the younger players on the roster. Even as a junior a season ago, James played with fourth-year starts Javier Martin-Morillas and Brandes. This year, though, the role has flipped. James is the team's lone senior and most experienced player.
"He's been great with the young players," Burnham said. "I've appreciated how he's led by example."
James has led in ways big and small. In addition to leading the team with seven victories (a mark shared by sophomore transfer Rok Sitar), James has found ways to make his teammates better. "From my standpoint now, being a bit older and the most experienced (player on the team), I've tried to just help as much as I can. I play (doubles) with a freshman, Alex (Flink), and I try to just keep it light on the court, say funny things to keep him (loose)."
He plans to return to New Zealand upon graduating next December, but James has enjoyed his time at Montana State. "I grew up in a ski resort town in New Zealand, so being here in the mountains has been pretty cool," he said. "I've met a lot of people in different sports from all over the place and the people here are really nice. It's been awesome.
James and the Bobcats finish the regular season with matches at Montana on Sunday and at Southern Utah (April 22) and Northern Arizona (April 24). MSU is locked in a battle for a berth in the Big Sky Tournament, and a win over Portland State would nearly clinch that spot.
"I thought about this on the walk over," the lone senior on Montana State's men's tennis team said, "that it's the last practice" before a home match. His home finale as a Bobcat comes Friday morning, when the Bobcats host Portland State at 11 am, with each team's post-season fate on the line.
"It's kind of weird," James said of facing the conclusion of his home career as a Bobcat. His last string of matches begins with Friday's Senior Day ceremonies, and are preceded by a two-match singles win streak. "There's not long to go now, so I'm just trying to enjoy it as long as I can. I've started to relax a bit and with the experience I've had since I've been here, I've played a lot of matches, maybe that shows (in the recent success)."
Bobcat coach Jared Burnham leaves no uncertainty in his feelings about James. "He's our heart and soul," Burnham said of his first Bobcat recruit. "He's been consistent, he works hard, he's a great kid. He's just been a joy to have around."
James' knowledge of the U.S. wasn't acute – "I knew a bit about Yellowstone, of course," he says – when he traveled to Bozeman from his native New Zealand in the spring of 2013. James fortified a veteran team bound for glory. The Cats won the Big Sky regular season crown that year, with James posting a 6-11 overall mark but a 5-3 league ledger.
"I was the guy that had to do the freshman-like things," he said with a laugh. But I had a lot of guys to look up to that were experienced, so that was great, playing with them. I played with Nik (Brandes), who is one of the better players we've had here, and Diego (Campos), and they were great."
Throughout his first three seasons, James was one of the younger players on the roster. Even as a junior a season ago, James played with fourth-year starts Javier Martin-Morillas and Brandes. This year, though, the role has flipped. James is the team's lone senior and most experienced player.
"He's been great with the young players," Burnham said. "I've appreciated how he's led by example."
James has led in ways big and small. In addition to leading the team with seven victories (a mark shared by sophomore transfer Rok Sitar), James has found ways to make his teammates better. "From my standpoint now, being a bit older and the most experienced (player on the team), I've tried to just help as much as I can. I play (doubles) with a freshman, Alex (Flink), and I try to just keep it light on the court, say funny things to keep him (loose)."
He plans to return to New Zealand upon graduating next December, but James has enjoyed his time at Montana State. "I grew up in a ski resort town in New Zealand, so being here in the mountains has been pretty cool," he said. "I've met a lot of people in different sports from all over the place and the people here are really nice. It's been awesome.
James and the Bobcats finish the regular season with matches at Montana on Sunday and at Southern Utah (April 22) and Northern Arizona (April 24). MSU is locked in a battle for a berth in the Big Sky Tournament, and a win over Portland State would nearly clinch that spot.
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