Red Wolves - IU East

Photography and tennis are two of many talents for Grinstead, a Greenfield-Central High School senior who signed a letter of intent to play tennis for Indiana University East starting with the 2010-11 season.

IU East coach Mike Sherer announced the signing May 7.

"I'm excited for next year and ready to go play some tennis," Grinstead said after posing for photos during a signing ceremony at Greenfield-Central High School.

Grinstead played No. 1 doubles for the Cougars this past season and "loves playing at the net."

Grinstead was the Cougars' most improved player in 2007, his first year playing tennis.

He moved up to the Greenfield-Central varsity in 2008. He won the No. 2 doubles flight at the Triton Central Invitational during the 2008 season.

"He's a perfect fit for IU East," said Sherer. "I couldn't be happier. This is one of my best days as tennis coach at IU East."

Grinstead received high praise from his coaches during the signing ceremony.

"You've been a good student and also a good school person," said Greenfield-Central athletic director Kevin Horrigan.

"You've been a great role model for all of the people coming behind you. It's nice for you and your parents that your hard work paid off."

Added Cougars tennis coach David Spencer: "You've made great strides in a short amount of time. You're getting a a great player whose potential is untapped. He'll just get better and better and surprise a lot of people."

Grinstead plans to major in business and eventually hopes to start his own business or be the head of a company.

"I've been interested in business all my life and I wanted to continue that," Grinstead said.

"When (Spencer) called and told me IU East was talking to him about playing tennis, I was pretty excited. "Coach (Sherer) talked about how I would be one of the players to get things started, and I'd like to be a part of that."

Grinstead is the son of Gerald and Sonja Grinstead. He also enjoys basketball and golf. He took part more than 10 student organizations at Greenfield-Central.

He recently placed third out of about 8,000 in a nationwide photography contest.

Grinstead joins Justin Judd of West Milton, Ohio, and Josh Morris of Hagerstown in the Red Wolves' 2010 men's tennis recruiting class.

The Red Wolves are scheduled to play their first official tennis matches during the 2010-11 school year.