Fab Four seniors leading Iron Horses on courts, in classrooms

Philip Simmons High School boys’ tennis coach Richard Schulz says his squad has a group of seniors who might be the Fab Four of their sport -- and in the classroom. 

The four seniors are Camden Manganaro, Davey Kesner, Grayson Estey, and Wyatt Waters. 

“All four are great young men,” Schulz said. “All four have been with me since the seventh grade.” 

Manganaro has been accepted at both Tennessee and Clemson and plans to major in construction management. He hasn’t decided where to matriculate just yet. 

Kesner, a team captain, will attend Auburn and will take a four-year program to prepare for a career as an airline pilot. He already has a pilot’s license and has plans to be a pilot for Delta Air Lines. 

Estey is ranked No. 2 academically in his class and is also the president of the student body. He also is a team captain and will attend Clemson with plans to major in international business. “He will someday run his own business,” Schulz said. 

Waters will attend Clemson and plans to earn a degree in veterinary science. 

“These four men represent Philip Simmons High School and everything that is special and wonderful about athletics and education today,” Schulz said. “They are why teachers and coaches love what they do.” 

Schulz says there is enough talent on campus for the Iron Horses to compete for the Class AA state championship, which would be the fourth state crown in the program’s brief history. 

But first, the Iron Horses are sharpening their skills with some grueling matches, which began this week and will continue through early next week. The Iron Horse boys were scheduled to play Bishop England on April 14, and Academic Magnet two days later. On April 20, PSHS will battle five-time state champ Oceanside Collegiate Academy. 

The Iron Horses posted a 14-4 record last spring and finished second in Region 6-AA to eventual state champ Oceanside Collegiate. 

The Iron Horses began play this week at 14-5. 

The Iron Horses have talented student-athletes – and accomplished tennis players. But they just aren’t limited to the senior class. 

Sophomores Henry Broad and Addison Stuart had impressive freshman seasons last spring. They train at LTP along with Luke Smith and Chivale Nelson. 

Broad and Stuart played in last spring’s Class AAA-AA-A individual state tournament.  Broad is a former right-hander who transitioned to a lefty when he was younger to improve his game. He reached the final four and earned all-state, playing against older players at bigger schools.  

Stuart, the Iron Horses’ No. 1 singles player, also earned all-state honors with an impressive effort. 

Schulz originally coached both the boys' and girls' teams at PSHS and led the girls to one state title. Today, Schulz coaches the girls’ team at Summerville High School, which plays during the fall. 

How long has Schulz coached? 

“Too many years,” the coach quipped. 

Why does Schulz coach? 

“It’s the greatest gift I get,” he said. “These kids want to learn and they keep me young at heart. I grow from them. Coaching is teaching at the highest level.”