Double Take: Like Father, Like Son

No need for Henry Clay High’s Andrew Herring to fret over a Father’s Day gift this month – his dad feels rewarded every time he steps on the tennis court with Andrew.

Like Andrew, a star player at Henry Clay, John Herring, 46, played tennis for the Blue Devils and has continued his competitive career in adult leagues.

He won a national mixed doubles title with his wife Christy, who played at Georgetown College and is a teaching professional at Lexington Tennis Club.

Tennis is a family affair for the Herrings. Andrew’s sisters Madeline, 13, and Kennedy, 6, also play.

That family feeling has taken center court the past two years when John and Andrew have teamed up for national father-son tournaments.

The Herrings have been ranked as high as No. 3 in the country, but the pairing seems to be No. 1 in each player’s heart.

Andrew passes up prestigious youth tournaments to play with his dad. “It’s so much fun. I really enjoy playing with my dad,” he said. “I really look forward to it.”

John choked back tears when asked about his son.

“By far, it’s the best thing we’ve done,” he said. “To do something you love with someone you love makes it all the best.”

Given Andrew’s family experience, it’s no surprise his specialty is doubles.

A player in youth events since he was 10, he made the Henry Clay team as a seventh-grader and has played on five consecutive Regional championship teams.

Andrew had won state doubles matches by his freshman year. A year later, he teamed with Dean Tsamas, a former Lexington Family Magazine Scholar Athlete (May 2004), and the pair won the Regional title and advanced to the State quarterfinals.

The team repeated as Regional champs last year and placed second in the State.

Andrew, who has committed to play tennis at Kenyon College in Ohio, is an All-State selection and two-time team MVP and captain.

An honor student and avid reader, Andrew carries a 4.12 weighted GPA in the Academy at Henry Clay, has taken nine AP classes and scored 29 on his ACT.

“He has always been a reader,” Christy said. “He’s independent, manages his time well and does it all on his own.”

With tennis, a challenging academic load and an active social life – he is recognized as Henry Clay’s No. 1 sports fan – Andrew still finds time to serve as his mother’s right-hand man in a tennis outreach program at LTC.

Christy runs after-school programs at eight elementary schools, and Andrew is her No. 1 instructor.

“He runs the lessons and supervises the other instructors. He could run the program on his own,” she said.

“As a sophomore, he stepped in and ran a whole tournament. People are always telling us what a great job he’s done.”

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