Roo Senior Spotlight: Tom Kruse and Thanushree Vale
4/2/2020 7:00:00 AM | General, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
Tom Kruse is a senior men's tennis player. Hailing from Flensburg, Germany, Tom won three matches at the No. 2 singles position during a shortened season. He was named WAC Singles Player of the Week and joined with Diego Giraldo to earn WAC Doubles Team of the Week.
1. Tell us the story behind what made you decide to become a Kansas City Roo.
For me, the most important factor was the coaching staff. I had a great feeling about Head Coach (Kendell) Hale and his assistance from the beginning. In addition, the city of Kansas City had a great impact on me and my family. Especially the friendly attitude of the people was great.
2. What is your best memory from your time as a student-athlete attending Kansas City?
(It was) definitely winning the WAC Championship in 2017 in combination with our Europe trip that took place in 2017 as well. For me, it was my freshman year and therefore the most intense time of my career as a student-athlete. But because I had such a great team around me, it was a very successful year and fun year for me.
3. Do you have any advice for your younger teammates or recruits that are looking at coming to KC?
Explore everything Kansas City has to offer. There are many things from museums, art fairs, restaurants, sport events and many other things everyone should experience in KC. And then be involved in different student organizations to get to know people and just to be active also outside of your sport. It is not only beneficial for your career after being a student-athlete, but also it is nice to get to know people from outside athletics.
4. What are your plans after you graduate/leave KC?
I will go back to Europe to do a master's (degree) and work on the side. Maybe even before that, I will do an internship to further see what industry interests me the most.
5. Where is your favorite place to eat in Kansas City? What do you get there?
I am a big sushi fan, so for sushi it is either Blue Sushi, Kona or Prime Sushi. In addition, for barbecue, I would say Gates, Jack Stack or Joe's. Best wings are at the Peanut. And lastly for other healthy, good quality food, I would suggest the Oliver, True Food at the Plaza, Café Gratitude or Bravo in OP.
6. What would Spotify/music list tell us is your most played song of 2020?
I could not specifically name one. But I would say I listen to a lot of techno and deep house. My favorite DJ in 2020 is probably 'ZHU', it is a Japanese DJ that produces a very different style than other mainstream DJ's. Those songs calm me down and I can focus on my goals. Also the lyrics of some songs are great to reflect on some things in life.
What coach Kendell Hale has to say about Tom:
"Tom came to UMKC in a mid-season recruit as a Freshman and he had to get adjusted to our system, team, school, and language super quick. He started off slow as most mid-season players do, but by the end of our season he was instrumental in us winning the WAC Championship and entering the NCAA tournament against Oklahoma State. As a result, he received UMKC's Freshman of the Year Award his first year here. I start with this because it really shows who Tom Kruse is as a person. Off the court, he is one of the most courteous, gracious, and kind players I have ever had, but when he steps on the court he has a laser focus and intensity that cannot be matched. He played with a maturity that few others possessed and learned from each match he won and lost. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching Tom over these years and can honestly say that it's been a blast! To me as a coach, he has been a great leader for the team and when I recruited Tom, to be honest, I thought it would be fun to have a Tom Kruse on our team, and we could give him the nickname Maverick! Looking back on the decision to recruit Tom was more than just a name, but a sincere person that will live in our record books as a champion both on and off the court."
Thanushree Vale is a senior women's tennis player. Hailing from Chennai, India, Thanushree excelled in the No. 2 doubles position with teammate Riddhi Sharma going 3-2 during the shortened season.
1. Tell us the story behind what made you decide to become a Kansas City Roo.
My agent asked me to speak to Head Coach (Kendell) Hale and after speaking to him and few people who were on the team then, I really liked the team dynamic and the location of the university. Many of the universities I spoke to were in the middle of nowhere. I was very excited about the plaza too!
2. What is your best memory from your time as a student-athlete attending Kansas City?
My best memory would be my freshman year where both the men's and women's tennis teams won conference. It was an incredible experience and a memory I will hold on to forever!
3. Do you have any advice for your younger teammates or recruits that are looking at coming to KC?
I would say work hard and enjoy every moment. You never know when the last time you'd experience something would be. For example - coronavirus stole a lot of senior year moments that I was looking forward to.
4. What are your plans after you graduate/leave KC?
I am trying to find a job, but I want to do my master's (degree) after a year. I want a break from school, but I am sure I'll be back in school.
5. Where is your favorite place to eat in Kansas City? What do you get there?
My favorite place to eat would Andy's Frozen Custard. (ha ha) I love their stolen brownie sundae. I'm a huge dessert person.
6. What would Spotify/music list tell us is your most played song of 2020?
My most played song at the moment is "Imagine" by John Lennon. It's been my all-time favorite, but I've listened to it a lot ever since I've had to stay at home.
What coach Kendell Hale has to say about Thanushree:
"Tan has been one of the pillars of our program. She has been a consistent variable for the two WAC Championships that she saw in her tenure and even clinching one in a tie-breaker against UTRGV. She was later deemed with the nickname "Tie-Break Tan" along with "Tanantula" and "Tanado" to name a few! She was one of those girls that you wanted to come down to her match. This is an amazing honor that coaches and teammates felt comfortable when everything was on her shoulders. Tan also rose up on big occasions by playing her best matches when things were on the line. She also was a great team unifier, which is imperative when dealing with team chemistry. She was nominated along with Yana as co-captains for this year's team. Tan is the kind of player that all coaches want to have, she does her job and helps others to do theirs. She will truly be missed by all her teammates and coaches!"
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1. Tell us the story behind what made you decide to become a Kansas City Roo.
For me, the most important factor was the coaching staff. I had a great feeling about Head Coach (Kendell) Hale and his assistance from the beginning. In addition, the city of Kansas City had a great impact on me and my family. Especially the friendly attitude of the people was great.
2. What is your best memory from your time as a student-athlete attending Kansas City?
(It was) definitely winning the WAC Championship in 2017 in combination with our Europe trip that took place in 2017 as well. For me, it was my freshman year and therefore the most intense time of my career as a student-athlete. But because I had such a great team around me, it was a very successful year and fun year for me.
3. Do you have any advice for your younger teammates or recruits that are looking at coming to KC?
Explore everything Kansas City has to offer. There are many things from museums, art fairs, restaurants, sport events and many other things everyone should experience in KC. And then be involved in different student organizations to get to know people and just to be active also outside of your sport. It is not only beneficial for your career after being a student-athlete, but also it is nice to get to know people from outside athletics.
4. What are your plans after you graduate/leave KC?
I will go back to Europe to do a master's (degree) and work on the side. Maybe even before that, I will do an internship to further see what industry interests me the most.
5. Where is your favorite place to eat in Kansas City? What do you get there?
I am a big sushi fan, so for sushi it is either Blue Sushi, Kona or Prime Sushi. In addition, for barbecue, I would say Gates, Jack Stack or Joe's. Best wings are at the Peanut. And lastly for other healthy, good quality food, I would suggest the Oliver, True Food at the Plaza, Café Gratitude or Bravo in OP.
6. What would Spotify/music list tell us is your most played song of 2020?
I could not specifically name one. But I would say I listen to a lot of techno and deep house. My favorite DJ in 2020 is probably 'ZHU', it is a Japanese DJ that produces a very different style than other mainstream DJ's. Those songs calm me down and I can focus on my goals. Also the lyrics of some songs are great to reflect on some things in life.
What coach Kendell Hale has to say about Tom:
"Tom came to UMKC in a mid-season recruit as a Freshman and he had to get adjusted to our system, team, school, and language super quick. He started off slow as most mid-season players do, but by the end of our season he was instrumental in us winning the WAC Championship and entering the NCAA tournament against Oklahoma State. As a result, he received UMKC's Freshman of the Year Award his first year here. I start with this because it really shows who Tom Kruse is as a person. Off the court, he is one of the most courteous, gracious, and kind players I have ever had, but when he steps on the court he has a laser focus and intensity that cannot be matched. He played with a maturity that few others possessed and learned from each match he won and lost. I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching Tom over these years and can honestly say that it's been a blast! To me as a coach, he has been a great leader for the team and when I recruited Tom, to be honest, I thought it would be fun to have a Tom Kruse on our team, and we could give him the nickname Maverick! Looking back on the decision to recruit Tom was more than just a name, but a sincere person that will live in our record books as a champion both on and off the court."
Thanushree Vale is a senior women's tennis player. Hailing from Chennai, India, Thanushree excelled in the No. 2 doubles position with teammate Riddhi Sharma going 3-2 during the shortened season.
1. Tell us the story behind what made you decide to become a Kansas City Roo.
My agent asked me to speak to Head Coach (Kendell) Hale and after speaking to him and few people who were on the team then, I really liked the team dynamic and the location of the university. Many of the universities I spoke to were in the middle of nowhere. I was very excited about the plaza too!
2. What is your best memory from your time as a student-athlete attending Kansas City?
My best memory would be my freshman year where both the men's and women's tennis teams won conference. It was an incredible experience and a memory I will hold on to forever!
3. Do you have any advice for your younger teammates or recruits that are looking at coming to KC?
I would say work hard and enjoy every moment. You never know when the last time you'd experience something would be. For example - coronavirus stole a lot of senior year moments that I was looking forward to.
4. What are your plans after you graduate/leave KC?
I am trying to find a job, but I want to do my master's (degree) after a year. I want a break from school, but I am sure I'll be back in school.
5. Where is your favorite place to eat in Kansas City? What do you get there?
My favorite place to eat would Andy's Frozen Custard. (ha ha) I love their stolen brownie sundae. I'm a huge dessert person.
6. What would Spotify/music list tell us is your most played song of 2020?
My most played song at the moment is "Imagine" by John Lennon. It's been my all-time favorite, but I've listened to it a lot ever since I've had to stay at home.
What coach Kendell Hale has to say about Thanushree:
"Tan has been one of the pillars of our program. She has been a consistent variable for the two WAC Championships that she saw in her tenure and even clinching one in a tie-breaker against UTRGV. She was later deemed with the nickname "Tie-Break Tan" along with "Tanantula" and "Tanado" to name a few! She was one of those girls that you wanted to come down to her match. This is an amazing honor that coaches and teammates felt comfortable when everything was on her shoulders. Tan also rose up on big occasions by playing her best matches when things were on the line. She also was a great team unifier, which is imperative when dealing with team chemistry. She was nominated along with Yana as co-captains for this year's team. Tan is the kind of player that all coaches want to have, she does her job and helps others to do theirs. She will truly be missed by all her teammates and coaches!"
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Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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