Randy Ronning Earns 1,000th Tennis Victory as Elks Girls' Tennis Rolls into Season
![Coach Randy Ronning poses with his team in 1000 shirts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788291116/isd728org/nienemqpqvwora3ems4c/Ronning1000.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788291116/isd728org/nienemqpqvwora3ems4c/Ronning1000.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788291116/isd728org/nienemqpqvwora3ems4c/Ronning1000.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788291116/isd728org/nienemqpqvwora3ems4c/Ronning1000.jpg","width":1024}])
He had a to wait a bit for it, but Elk River High School Tennis Head Coach Randy Ronning, a legend in the high school athletics world, led his team to a 1,000th victory, joining the ranks of the winningest coaches in any program in any sport in Minnesota history.
Ronning, the 2023-2024 ISD 728 Coach of the Year and multiple-time winner of Section and State Coach of the Year honors from the Minnesota State High School League, joined the district in 2009 as the boys tennis coach. He has coached both the girls and the boys programs since 2016, taking multiple section championships and earning state trophies along the way.
"It's really not about me, at all," Ronning said when he won the district staff award. "It's about the kids we've had along the way. And the families. They're the ones driving them to practice at all hours and driving miles for matches. It takes a community. Elk River is a great one."
Ronning's Elks started the season with three straight home wins in dual action, but had a tough day on Friday, August 27, when they dropped both matches in their triangular invite versus Wayzata and Forest Lake.
Then, the Elks had to wait for some rain - and eventually relocate their Saturday meet with St. Michael-Albertville and Benilde-St. Margaret's. Finally, after being stuck on 999 for a little bit, the Elks defeated STMA for Ronning's 1,000th victory.
The Elks girls' program figures to be among the top teams in the Northwest Suburban Conference this season, and a favorite to win again in Section 8. ERHS hosts some stout competition at home with meets on September 19 and September 26 before the postseason begins with the team Section Tournament on October 6.