By Rubin E. Grant
When Susan Farlow was hired as Mountain Brook’s boys and girls tennis coach in 2008, she admitted that then-athletics director Terry Cooper was taking a risk.
“I have to give Terry a lot of credit because I was 50 when he hired me,” Farlow said. “So, he was taking a chance.”
Some chance!
Farlow won 18 state championships – 10 girls and eight boys – and is the only tennis coach in the Alabama High School Athletic Association to rank in the top five for both boys and girls titles.
Now, Farlow, 68, is retiring after 17 seasons.
“I feel like it’s time for somebody young to take over,” Farlow said. “I’ve been thinking about it for several years. But we had a group of players that I wanted to be around through their senior year. It’s the greatest group of kids I had and I wanted to graduate with them.”
Led by seniors Pippa Roy, twins Annie and Mae Mae Lacey, Mary Neale Polk, Ann Coleman and Liza Brewer, the Spartans girls this spring captured their seventh consecutive state title, not counting the 2020 season that was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the boys, featuring seniors Luke Schwefler and Guy Mitchell, won their second consecutive state crown.
All eight seniors had been a part of the program since they were freshmen.
“I knew they would be superstars,” Farlow said.
And they were, as Mountain Brook swept the boys and girls Class 6A state titles for the past two seasons.
Including her first season in 2008, Farlow guided the Spartans to at least one state championship, either boys or girls, every year except for 2013.
“What I’m most proud of is we took both teams to the state tournament every year, and we were always in the best sectional competition,” Farlow said. “When we dropped down to Class 6A (from 7A in 2021) it was super competitive, especially the girls, because of the private schools, but we still managed to win.”
Farlow received the AHSAA State Championship Coach Award for both teams multiple times. But she is quick to point out that she benefited from being around great players.
“They needed me and I needed them,” Farlow said. “They were all talented players and I reaped the benefits. I loved watching them perform.
“I also give their parents a lot of credit. They always provided great support.”
Roy, who will play in college at Creighton University, said she was fortunate to play under Farlow’s tutelage.
“I’m so lucky to have had coach Farlow as a mentor and leader during all four years,” Roy said. “I’m really proud to be the MBHS player to win seven state No. 1 singles and doubles titles and also to be a part of a four-peat state championship team.
“I’m the only player on the team going to college on a DI tennis scholarship in the fall, so I had some unique challenges when it came to scheduling over the last two seasons. I needed to compete in national USTA and ITF tournaments around the country and I also had a couple of injuries that sidelined my play.
“Throughout the seasons, coach Farlow supported my high school and collegiate tennis goals and I’m so thankful to her, (assistant) coach (Glenn) Lamar and my teammates for a wonderful high school tennis experience.
“Coach Farlow is my role model, and I will be a better teammate, student and leader when I play at Creighton because of her.”
Farlow is uncertain what she’s going to do in her next chapter. She joked that her daughter Virginia told her she could come take care of her son and clean house. She told her no thanks and said she’d find something to do with her time.
Farlow and her husband, Sam, have three children and five grandchildren, all 5 and under.
Farlow is glad to be going out on top.
“I feel like I can still do it, but I told myself there always has to be a time when you leave, so why not leave on a high note,” she said. “I’m leaving with the program in good shape.”
Farlow’s State Titles
• Girls (10): 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2012, 2011
• Boys (8): 2024, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2010, 2009, 2008
