Chesterton sophomore aims to make a name for herself this season

CHESTERTON | Margaret Shinn is ready to show the world that she can be her own person.

The Chesterton sophomore had to live in the shadows of her older sister, Elizabeth, last season while the pair was coached on the Trojans tennis team by their mother, Gretchen.

With Elizabeth studying at Purdue, Margaret is ready to make her own name on the court this season.

"I feel like I'm my own person now," Margaret said. "I love my sister so much, but it's kind of nice to be only Shinn on the team. Well, except for my mom."

Margaret joined the Trojans last season and teamed with Elizabeth in doubles. The pair advanced to semistate, but Margaret is moving to singles this season, further proof of her drive to be independent.

"I couldn't have had a better partner last season and just winning made it all the better," Margaret said. "I am excited about singles. Growing up I was taught to be very versatile and I worked hard all offseason, because I knew this change was coming."

Gretchen has been the one doing most of the teaching for all of Margaret's life and the coach embraces the challenge of having her second daughter on the team.

"First and foremost, Margaret is very coachable," Gretchen said. "She grew up playing singles so this won't be a huge stretch for her. Coaching my daughters has been very enjoyable. There is nothing quite like it. I'm very lucky."

Knowing that she carries the weight of being the coach's daughter gives Margaret even more reason to stand out on her own this season. After registering a 23-2 record last season, Margaret hopes to improve that record, especially in a tough Duneland Athletic Conference. If she can make a successful transition to singles, she knows people will be calling her "Margaret" instead of "Elizabeth's little sister," or "Coach Shinn's daughter."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Margaret said. "I don't know any other way and we try to keep tennis and our personal lives separate. She doesn't want to give me any extra attention, but when we get home, she treats me like I'm her daughter."