E.T.A. standing: #1 in the school, #3 continental / #2 U.S.T.A.; the challenge hierarchy over Hal

pivotal · YDAU (autumn present)

• When: YDAU, the autumn present (rankings as of 10/YDAU and the November tournament weeks)
• What: Wayne is E.T.A.'s best male player and A-#1 in the 18's — "without question the best male player to appear at Enfield Academy in several years." On the O.N.A.N.T.A. computer he is #3 in Boys' 18's and #2 in the U.S.T.A.; Hal, one rung of the arc below, is #6 continental / #4 national. The Academy's whole zero-sum challenge ladder is felt through Wayne's position at the top of it: in Hal's accounting, "John Wayne's over me." Wayne has reached the semis of both the Junior French and Junior U.S. Opens this year and has lost to no American in seven meets and a dozen tournaments.