Jeffco schools compete at 5A and 4A boys tennis state tournaments
DENVER — Chatfield’s boys tennis team took a pair of victories on Day 1 of the Class 5A state tournament Thursday at Gates Tennis Center.
Chatfield sophomore Christian Holmes (No. 1 singles) and senior Patrick Ross (No. 2 singles) grabbed the two wins by Jeffco schools during the opening day of the state tournament.
Holmes cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Boulder junior Ethan Katz in the first round at No. 1 singles.
Ross also took a straight-set victory over Mountain Vista sophomore Max Probst — 6-3, 6-3 — at No. 2 singles.
However, Holmes dropped his state quarterfinal match later in the afternoon. Heritage junior Skyler Gates took a 6-3, 6-7, 6-2 victory over Holmes. Ross also dropped his quarterfinal with a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Denver East junior Charlie Franks.
Holmes and Ross could get playback matches Friday if Gates and Franks win their semifinal matches in the morning to advance to Saturday’s state championship matches.
Chatfield junior Zac Meyer dropped his first-round match at No. 3 singles to Monarch senior Jack Ferry 7-6, 7-5. The Chargers’ three double teams that advanced to state — No. 1 Alex Gates/Justin Spehalski, No. 3 Kevin Ross/Nick Stone and No. 4 Eli Yeagley/Luke Carlson — lost their first-round matches.
Bear Creek’s lone state qualifier — freshman Robert Kamarali — dropped his first match 6-0, 6-1 to Denver East senior Kai Smith at No. 1 singles.
Ralston Valley junior Jackson Johnstone tried to gut it out playing sick, but ended up retiring from his first-round match at No. 2 singles after falling behind 5-0 to Overland senior Draden Hoover.
Columbine’s No. 4 doubles team of Price Hartman and Dobbin Pine loss their first-round match to Heritage in a three-set thriller.
Jeffco teams did have a little more success at the 4A state tournament at Pueblo City Park.
D’Evelyn senior Tom Hudson advanced to the state semifinals Friday morning at No. 2 singles with straight-set victories over Palmer Ridge junior Bryan Hauke and Silver Creek sophomore Brandon Nelsen on Thursday. Hudson faces Colorado Academy junior Quinn Bermingham in the semifinals that start at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, down south.
Evergreen’s No. 4 doubles team of Jack Cuntz and Blake Kuzava will also take part in the state semifinals at the 4A state tournament.
Cuntz and Kuzava took straight-set wins over teams from Aspen and Dawson. The Cougars face Thompson Valley in the semifinals. Kuzava actually also played golf for Evergreen this fall, placing tied for 42nd.
