Mount Vernon High School

Please join us for a signing on Thursday, March 14, as MVHS' Adam Burke commits to play tennis at Trine University. Trine University is located in Angola, IN. While a student athlete at MVHS, Burke has played varsity tennis all 4 years. As a Junior, he won the Coach's Award and was Honorable Mention for PAC All-Conference. This year, he repeated as a singles Honorable Mention in the PAC while earning the MVP award for Mt. Vernon. Adam was also recognized academically for tennis this year as he earned the Academic All-State award. While at Trine, Burke plans to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering. When asked why he chose the MIAAA Division III school, Burke said, "I have really liked Trine ever since I went to Hoosier Boys State. The campus is great and it has a great Engineering program. Trine also has a great coaching staff. I have always wanted to play tennis in college ever since my freshman year and Trine was a perfect match for me." Adam will join the Trine Thunder under the direction of Erin Kolar. Erin Kolar was named head coach of the women's tennis team at Trine before the 2015-16 season and assumed the lead of both tennis programs when she was named the head coach of the men's tennis team during the summer of 2016. During the 2017-18 season, Kolar led the men's team to their first appearance in the MIAA Tournament since 2011. The first time in her coaching career and the first time the team has made the narrowed field of four. The women were just as successful finishing the season 11-10 and also earned a bid to the MIAA Tournament as well, marking the first time since 2007 that they have participated. Kolar has coached three Thunder athletes to All-MIAA team honors. Victor Flynn became the first player in her tenure to earn a place picking up a Second-Team selection after his senior season in 2018. Two women would pick up honors in 2019 with freshmen Ashley Spirrison being named First-Team and classmate Tatum Matthews picking up Second-Team honors. The Thunder finished the 2020-21 season 12-7 overall. Those 12 wins represent the winningest season in the program's history in the NCAA Division III. For three consecutive seasons now, Kolar has led both program to double-digit wins and have made the MIAA postseason tournament in all three years on the men's side. (https://www.trinethunder.com/sports/mten/coaches/kolar_erin?view=bio) Please join us in the Athletic Foyer on March 14 at 3:15 pm. We hope you will help us celebrate Adam's transition from a Wildcat to a Thunder Athlete!