Drew Fay will conclude his pioneering tennis career at Cair Paravel during the Class 3-1A State Championship this weekend. He was among the first players in the school's history and has witnessed the team's growth since its inception.
Key points
Drew Fay concludes his tennis career at Cair Paravel
He was one of the first players in school history
The team started with only four players
Final match at Class 3-1A State Championship
Drew FayCair ParavelClass 3-1A State Championship
TOPEKA — Drew Fay has been a trailblazer with Cair Paravel tennis.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Cair Paravel's Joey Thoennes celebrates a point at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
Cair Paravel's David Toenjes at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
Cair Paravel's David Toenjes at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
Cair Paravel's Joey Thoennes returns a serve at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
Cair Paravel's Joey Thoennes returns a serve at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
1 / 9
See which Topeka area boys tennis players qualified for the state tournament
Cair Paravel's Jonah Arnold returns a shot at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
1 / 9
See which Topeka area boys tennis players qualified for the state tournament
Cair Paravel's Jonah Arnold returns a shot at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
2 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's Jonah Arnold returns a shot at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
3 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's Nathan Patton at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
4 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's Gabe Benteman at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
5 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's Joey Thoennes celebrates a point at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
6 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's David Toenjes at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
7 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's David Toenjes at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
8 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's Joey Thoennes returns a serve at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
9 / 9
Top photos from Cair Paravel tennis at Class 3-1A Regional Championship
Cair Paravel's Joey Thoennes returns a serve at the Class 3-1A Regional Championship on Friday, May 8.
Fay qualified for the state tournament as a freshman and sophomore, the first player in Cair Paravel history to do so.
This will be his fourth consecutive season at the final tournament. He won the regional championship on Friday, May 8, marking another return to state.
“I feel a little more comfortable in singles and I think it’s a little more fun,” Fay said. “When I show up those days at state, it's about playing at my highest level and not to have bad days."
Last year, Fay teamed up with Eric Buchenau on the doubles side of the competition. They finished as state runner-up and marked the best finish in school history.
This season, Fay has returned to singles play just like he did in his first two years. It has taken some time to get back into the rhythm of things, but he’s peaking at the right moment.
Fay won the Topeka City Championship earlier this year as his game is in top form. He credits this to the warmer weather and consistent practice.
Fay was also a star on the basketball team. After a deep postseason run, Fay’s tennis season started later than usual. But he still practiced on the weekends to keep his game from feeling rusty.
“I’m continuing to improve pretty quickly because I’m not learning something new,” Fay said. “It's always around state that I get back to where I left off at in the summer.”
Cair Paravel's Drew Fay will finish his stellar tennis career at the Class 3-1A State Tournament this weekend.
Cair Paravel's Drew Fay will finish his stellar tennis career at the Class 3-1A State Tournament this weekend.
Wichita Collegiate is the premier program in Class 3-1A. Fay knows it, but he’s not afraid to face some steep competition. Collegiate’s Amir Khicha (21-1) was the state runner-up on the singles side last year. Khicha lost to teammate Charlie Gentile, who has moved over to doubles play this spring.
“My goal realistically is to get second, but of course, I’d love to win. It's always possible,” Fay said.
This will be Fay’s last season of tennis. He’s going to college at Emporia State to study human and health performance with the hopes of becoming a physical therapist.
The two-day state tournament will be held at Prairie Village's Harmon Park Tennis Complex. Along with Fay, Cair Paravel has three other state qualifiers. Jonah Arnold will be playing singles, while the team of Joey Thoennes and David Toenjes will feature in doubles.
Cair Paravel's Drew Fay in the Class 3-1A State Championship at Kossover Tennis Center on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Cair Paravel's Drew Fay in the Class 3-1A State Championship at Kossover Tennis Center on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Fay has been at the forefront of Cair Paravel tennis during his career. He’s been a focal point from the team’s humble beginnings to making waves at the state tournament.
Fay shared there’s one key reason for Cair Paravel's success: His mother, head coach Heather Fay.
“We have a really, really great coach," Fay laughed. “We’ve just been able to develop as the years have gone on and we are a much older team now.”
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Washburn University for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com