LYNNFIELD — It’s been quite a summer for twin brothers Jack and Luke Prokopis, of Lynnfield.
Back in June, the duo helped lead the St. John’s Prep tennis team to its first state championship in 23 years. The title was the fifth in program history, all of them under Peabody resident Mark Metropolis, the head coach.
With the championship in the rearview mirror, the twins’ focus turned to college plans. On July 31, they made the decision to commit to Holy Cross, where they intend to continue their tennis careers.
Jack said he and his brother had both been in “back-and-forth communication” with the Holy Cross coaching staff and that it helped that the twins’ older brother, Mikey Prokopis, had also played tennis at Holy Cross, graduating in 2022. Their father, Peter, is also a Holy Cross graduate.
“We already had an existing relationship through Mikey, which definitely helped the process,” Jack said. “We both were told that our grades are good enough to get in on our own, but we still have to be accepted.”
Luke said the boys had looked at other schools, including NESCACs like Hamilton and Colby. He said the decision for him came down, first, to whether he wanted to continue playing tennis.
“I’ve always felt that playing sports creates structure and gives you balance, which is most beneficial,” Luke said. “I really like the proximity to home and the fact that it isn’t a city school. It has its own secluded campus, but also, being in the city means there is so much to do off campus. Of all the schools we visited, it was definitely my favorite, so when the offer came in from Holy Cross, I just took it. I would have gone there even without the tennis piece, but I got really lucky in that I get to play the sport that I love while going to such a great academic school.”
The brothers have also excelled in the classroom at St. John’s. By the time they graduate in 2025, Jack will have taken seven AP courses, while Luke will have taken six. Both were inducted into the National Honor Society as sophomores and the World Language Honor Society as juniors. Jack is leaning toward a double major in political science and religious studies, while Luke is considering either accounting or economics.
The twins played a vital role in the Eagles’ run to the state title last spring. The championship match against Concord-Carlisle was too close to call in the early going. With the Prep ahead, 2-1, Jack clinched the title with a 6-3, 6-4 win in the second singles match, setting off a wild on-court celebration. Ten minutes later, Luke followed with a 6-3, 7-5 win at first doubles.
“That was really cool because, right when I hit the volley winner, the team stormed the courts. That was awesome,” Jack said.
Luke had a different feeling as Jack was closing in on the clincher.
“It was really tight as Jack was down, 3-2, in the second set and we were up, 5-4, with our match possibly going to a third set,” Luke said. “I was stalling on my court a little to see the point and went to my towel a couple of times. I was glad I got to watch it and it was really cool when he won it. I knew there was no pressure, but I still wanted to win my match.”
Both brothers know they still have to be accepted, but feel a sense of relief knowing they don’t have to go through the normal application process of applying to multiple schools.
“It feels nice to know that I don’t have to worry about applying to 10-15 schools,” Jack said.
“It’s a huge relief and blessing to have that off my shoulders,” Luke said.
With decision day in the rearview mirror, only one question remains to be answered: will they room together?
“That’s a hard question, as I don’t know how it will all play out,” Luke said. “I might room with some of the other tennis recruits to branch out. I don’t want to miss out on an experience like my siblings had with random roommates.”
Jack agreed.
“Right now, my mom (Claudine) is encouraging us to branch out and meet new people,” Jack said. “We’ve been talking about it for a little while and either option is on the table.”
Neither brother knows what their team roles will be at Holy Cross, but each is ready to do whatever it takes to contribute to the program’s success. They say they’re “excited” to play for head coach Brad Walulak.
“The Patriot League has several strong teams, so I know that to play against kids at that level is really special,” Jack said. “As a freshman, playing anything will be difficult, but we’re both prepared to work hard and crack the lineup at some point.”
“I have no expectations, other than just to be the best version of myself I can be,” Luke said. “The only thing I know is that I want to contribute to a winning culture and when my opportunity presents, I’ll take it.”
