Colin Muraika is very much aware that the turtle won the race.

Not that Muraika is slow. He just understands the power of steady, consistent and persistent.

On Saturday in South Lebanon, Muraika’s steady approach paid big dividends, in the form of the Lebanon County boys’ scholastic tennis individual title. After sweeping through his semifinal match, Muraika downed Elco junior Adam Bahney, 6-0, 7-6 (7-0) in the finals at Number One Singles.

At one point in the tournament, Muraika won 20 straight games. How about that for consistency? Consistently good.

Muraika didn’t flinch when Bahney discovered his power game in the middle of the second set. He settled down, right his ship, won the 12th game of the set and then notched seven straight points in the tiebreaker to claim the title.

Afterwards, when questioned about his success against the big serves and huge ground-strokes of Bahney, Muraika revealed that he was just looking to ‘out steady’ him. Muraika also understood the company the title put him in – some of the top tennis players who Lebanon County has produced.

Muraika’s championship also represented the seventh year in-a-row in which a Cedar Crest player has been dubbed the finest locally. In addition, Muraika’s performance helped the Falcons to a second-place showing in the team competition.

 – Jeff Falk