CATAWBA, N.C. — Life is like a good movie or a book with a series of twists and turns. It’s up to the powers that be and the individual drive to turn one’s journey through this world into something great. For some individuals, the highs can definitely outweigh the lows.
Recent Bandys High graduate Joseph “Joe” Cockman had this kind of moment to end his prep sports’ career before sailing off into the sunset.
With all of the uncertainty that life had to offer in 2020, Cockman made sure to leave his mark in 2021.
Cockman – a multisport athlete – drove himself to a top-3 finish in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A men’s tennis tournament for the first time in his career.
He began his journey on the Trojans’ men’s tennis team as a freshman thanks to persuasion by his best friend.
“I already played soccer and basketball but didn’t have a spring sport so it worked out,” he said. “That first season I was awful, at least I thought I was. However, I was inspired by all the parents and coaches who somehow saw something in me. They encouraged me to really zone in and take it seriously. So, I took a few lessons so I could learn some technique.”
In terms of his commitment with tennis during his senior campaign, Cockman said that the team had a rocky start with new head coach Candace Newman at the beginning of the season.
“We decided that we were just going to have fun because we didn’t expect to ever win a game. So, we goofed off a lot,” he said. “Coach [Newman] really had to push hard to get us to focus and we ended up having one of the best seasons Bandys men’s tennis has had in a long time.”
After winning its first match of 2021 against Lincolnton, 7-2, on March 26, the Trojans took a slight dip and lost the next two matches with North Lincoln and Lake Norman Charter.
Nevertheless, coach Newman (who was awarded Conference Coach of the Year) began to light a fire under them, and the Trojans finished out the season 5-2 (first-place in the South Fork 2A Conference) and on a four-match win streak.
As for Cockman, the 6’2” No. 1 singles competitor on the team, he went 6-0 in the regular season. He also collected a fourth-place finish in the South Fork 2A Conference tournament before heading to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A Regionals beginning on May 7.
“Coach knew how to push me,” he said. “It didn’t matter if I was losing 1-6, 1-4, she would come to me and tell me that she knew I was going to pull through and win. She believed in me when I thought it was over, and [she] helped me find confidence in my game. I came from behind almost every match this season but Coach [Newman] saw quickly my drive to push harder and used it to keep me motivated.”
Newman said that when she first met Cockman, he was hesitant and unsure of his abilities.
“As he started to win and started to build his confidence you could see the change in his demeanor out there,” she said. “He was self assured and up for the long haul in the matches. We would meet in change overs and I could coach him. He took everything I said and adapted it to the style of play that I like to call “wear them down Joe!” He had more patience and nothing to lose. I am extremely proud of his progress and determination.”
That drive he possessed led him to multiple conference accolades this season, as well as a 2A State Regionals victory.
“Winning Conference Player of the Year, [named to] All-Conference, winning Regionals, [selected] Bandys Male Athlete of the Year and coming in 3rd in states felt surreal,” he said. “Last year, before the season was cut short, I was ranked third on my team and went 1-3. So, I truly had no expectation coming in this year. I never expected to go so far. Especially after I broke my elbow right before conference.
“Thankfully, my doctor allowed me to play in the tournament, with a 90 degree cast from my bicep to my wrist, since those matches were “suppose(d)” to be my last matches of the season. I wasn’t going to let that get in my way. I practiced a one-handed serve and a one-handed back hand. Somehow, it worked well enough to advance me. Thankfully, I got it off right before regionals.”
In the NCHSAA 2A State Tournament Final beginning on May 14 at Cary Tennis Park, Cockman defeated Spring Creek’s Noah Goroski, 7-5, 6-1, in the first round. He followed up in the singles draw quarterfinals ousting Salisbury’s Will Koontz, 7-5, 6-1, before falling to North Lenoir’s Shane Swindell in the semifinals, 1-6, 0-6.
“Nothing even compares [to that moment],” he said. “I’ve hit threes in basketball; I’ve scored goals in soccer. But, nothing that I’ve accomplished before was greater than what I was able to do during tennis. I really did end my senior year with a bang.”
Now that his high school career is finished, Cockman said that he will be taking his talents to Lenoir-Rhyne University. He signed his National Letter of Intent on May 26 to compete for the Bears’ tennis team.
“I know I’ve got a long ways to go and a lot to learn, but I’m excited to push myself further. The coach there [Jesse Tarr] is great so I can’t wait to see how it goes,” he said.
