SACO – A friendship formed from a mutual love of their sport has propelled two Thornton Academy students into a pair of the most talented tennis players in the state.  

Dariy Vykhodtsev and Caleb Richard enter this weekend’s Maine Principals’ Association Tennis Singles Championships as the No. 2 seed and one of four placed players, respectively. While both seniors have played in the state tournament before, just qualifying isn’t enough. 

“It’s the biggest tournament for high school players,” Richard said. “It’s a big accomplishment, but you’ve just got to set the bar higher for yourself this year than you did last year.”

Vykhodtsev (12-1) and Richard (13-0) have led the Golden Trojans’ charge to an 11-1 team record this season – the only match either player has lost was Vykhodtsev’s defeat to last year’s state champion, Nick Forester of Falmouth – and the duo has grown close in the process.

Their friendship started, said Thornton Coach Andrew Carlson, during the offseason when Richard decided he wanted to take his game to the next level so he and Vykhodtsev attended clinics and played in a summer league.

For Carlson, who can only spend so long with each student, Richard’s and Vykhodtsev’s dedication away from practice is what he strives to instill in all of his players.

“It means, at some level, maybe we’ve helped them understand the enjoyment of the sport and that’s important to us,” he said. “In today’s day and age, it’s important for student-athletes to take responsibility for their own development … Kids who are really going to progress in their sport are the ones who are going to take some responsibility and some ownership.”

Even during the season, Vykhodtsev and Richard can be found volleying several hours after practice ends. “It’s to the point where we have to come say, ‘Stop, stop. We need you guys at the end of the season – the end of May,’” Carlson said.  

Vykhodtsev is the more seasoned of the two players. When asked who wins their scrimmages, Richard laughed and said he can’t even pretend he comes out victorious. As a freshman, Vykhodtsev finished as the state runner-up, and he lost in the semifinals as a sophomore. He decided to step away from the program his junior year to train with a private coach and to compete on the United States Tennis Association circuit.

Vykhodtsev’s absence forced Richard, who Carlson said was an average player his first two seasons, into a larger role. Vykhodtsev said he didn’t know at the time he left the program if he’d return, but his love of Thornton Academy led him back into the uniform. His coach thinks another factor could have swayed Vykhodtsev’s decision.

“I think one reason he may have come back is because he saw the progress that Caleb made,” Carlson said. “He thought, ‘I can get something out of this. Not only can I give something back, but this is going to be a beneficial experience.’”

Vykhodtsev has helped improve Richard’s technique and his ability to apply pressure on his opponent, and Richard has shown Vykhodtsev that in-game adjustments can play a crucial role in pulling out a win. Both athletes pointed to the other’s unwavering positivity as a reason they’ve bonded.  

“We understand each other,” Vykhodtsev said. “It’s just a way different experience to have someone close to your level to play with.”  

“It’s more interesting to have a friend who is also good at the same thing that you are,” Richard said. “It’s just more fun for both of us.”

Next year, Vykhodtsev is set to play tennis at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, while Richard plans to attend the University of Southern Maine. But, for now, the boys are enjoying one another’s company on their hunt for a state title.