Wharton's Bartholomew bidding for 2nd title

In February, Alex Bartholomew was a key player on the Wharton boys soccer team that claimed the school's first-ever state team championship. Now, he has a chance to also be a member of the second Wharton team to earn a title.

And the odds of that happening are better than average.

Bartholomew, a Hunter's Green senior who is headed to Duke, plays No. 3 singles for the Wharton boys tennis squad, which will compete in the Class 3A state tournament this week in Altamonte Springs. Last year, the Wildcats were second at state. The year before that, they took third. The belief at Wharton is that this team might be its best.

"It's amazing how everything is going," Bartholomew said.

By the way, Bartholomew carries a 6.75 GPA and is the school’s 2008 valedictorian.

-- KEITH NIEBUHR