Oct. 22—FAIRMOUNT — The curtain has been run down on the finest four-year stretch of boys tennis in Madison-Grant’s history, and the player who led the way has also closed the book on his own storied career.
That is not to say the tennis career of Luke Gilman is over. That has yet to be determined.
In 2024, Gilman posted a 21-2 record, was undefeated against area foes for the second straight season and led the Argylls to their third straight Central Indiana Conference championship. His talent and his accomplishments have netted Gilman his third straight THB Sports Boys Tennis Athlete of the Year award, outdistancing Frankton’s Aaron Hartley and Lapel’s Kaleb Barnett.
“It’s a great accomplishment,” Gilman said. “Going into my sophomore year, I never thought I would have gotten it.”
Gilman was 6-0 against Madison County players this year and was 23-3 for his career. He was also a perfect 5-0 in conference play — 17-3 for his career — in leading the Argylls to the CIC crown. His career record of 73-20 ranks him second in school history for wins, just two behind former teammate Clayton Hull, a 2024 graduate.
He conquered the career “triple-crown,” winning conference, Madison County and sectional titles during his four seasons and said his sophomore year — when he won conference and sectional and came within a whisker of the county title — was his career highlight.
“We won our first sectional. We were very close with Delta at regional, and I won my match,” Gilman said. “That was probably my favorite match that we played. That whole sophomore year … that was when we took off and showed who Madison-Grant was.”
The No. 1 singles player for the Argylls all four years, he was the last singles player remaining for the team after last season, leaving M-G in an odd situation this year.
Many questioned how good the team would be, but also the Argylls would be playing with the bullseye on their backs.
With Gilman maintaining his high level of play and the emergence of Ben Pax at No. 2 singles — he was 20-3 — the Argylls remained a force in local tennis. They won 16 matches and ran the table in the conference at 6-0, their season only coming to an end against tough rival Mississinewa in the sectional semifinal.
That match was tied 2-2 and came down to Gilman’s battle into the third set. While his career came to an end with his loss, Gilman enjoyed the battle and the spirited support from his teammates.
“It was fun, even though I lost. It was a fun match,” he said. “It was probably my most memorable match ever. It was awesome having the No. 1 court surrounded with people cheering and yelling. I guess you can’t ask for a better way to lose a match.”
With basketball and baseball season coming — Gilman is a top returning player for both — he has yet to decide on his future. He has drawn interest from a number of schools for tennis but has also turned heads with his work on the mound for the regional champion baseball team.
Whichever path he chooses, that future is bright.
Contact Rob Hunt at rob.hunt@heraldbulletin.com or 765-640-4886.
