An early look at the top contenders on the boys tennis landscape

The 2022 boys tennis season brings massive changes the sport hasn’t seen in decades, and yet there is still a very familiar feel heading into another year on the courts. While a new and exciting format awaits, there are still recognizable names and schools at the top competing for both the individual and team championships.

Here’s a look at each classification as the new season is now underway.

Class 5A

Another season, another triumph at the state championship for perennial favorite Cherry Creek. But 2021 was a very tightly contested tournament, and it looks like it will be again heading in 2022. Creek does return defending No. 1 singles state champion Aram Izmirian for his senior season, as well as the standout brothers Kiril and Kristian Kostadinov. Those three plus strong doubles returners and bunches of talented incoming freshmen still make the Bruins the team to beat as they seek their 45th state title.

Valor Christian, however, remains close behind, as the Eagles were one or two Saturday morning wins away from stealing that elusive championship away. The Eagles return their No. 1 singles player Christian Trevey, who was one point away multiple times from knocking off Izmirian in their epic semifinal showdown, as well as many other key contributors from last year. Add another talented freshman to the mix in Christian’s younger brother Nathaniel Trevey, and head coach Bill Epping might have a team that could finally dethrone the defending champs.

Other teams to watch out for include Regis Jesuit, which has plenty of young stars on the team as they try to rebuild from losing senior standouts Conor Kaczmarczyk and No. 1 singles champion Morgan Schilling from the year before. Fairview brings back most of its young team with juniors like Caden Bell, Rafa Volkamer Pastor and Ben Mei Dan ready to lead the Knights. Fossil Ridge lost the majority of their senior laden team yet they always find ways to advance multiple lines deep at state. Boulder, Ralston Valley and Denver East have solidified themselves as top 10 mainstays in 5A over the past few years and look to remain there this season too. Others to keep an eye on include Heritage and Monarch.

Early contenders in order:

1. Cherry Creek
2. Valor Christian
3. Regis Jesuit
4. Fairview
5. Fossil Ridge
6. Ralston Valley
7. Denver East
8. Boulder
9. Heritage
10. Monarch

Others in consideration: Lakewood, Fort Collins, Arapahoe, Pine Creek, Chatfield, Mountain Vista

Class 4A

The 2021 state tournament was one of the more thrilling final days in recent memory as both Kent Denver and Cheyenne Mountain won tough battles to squeak out a tie in the team points. However, with the new team format, there will be no ties anymore when it comes to deciding a team champion. Kent Denver looks like the favorite heading into this year with returning No. 1 singles champion Nathan Gold and talented players like William Moldenhaur as well as brothers Reed and Tyler Haymons rounding out the top part of the team. The big loss however is coach Randy Ross stepping away from the program after multiple decades in charge. The Sun Devils will surely miss their leader who has been a mainstay on top of the program.

Cheyenne Mountain returns a deep lineup that somehow still pulled out that first-place tie despite no points from its one and two singles positions. That attests to coach Dave Adams and his ability to field a strong team that always wins the tough doubles matches, and that depth will once again be the Red-Tailed Hawks strength.

A bunched group of contenders lurk behind the two favorites, including last year’s 3rd place finishers and 2020 state champions Niwot. State semifinalist at No. 1 singles Luke Weber and defending No. 2 singles champion LiChen Liao make up a strong core of singles players for the Cougars. The D’Evelyn Jaguars still have No. 1 singles runner up Aswaanth Karuppasamy leading a group that is looking to crack that elite tier of schools for the first time. The Mustangs of both Colorado Academy and Mullen always figure into the mix, and both have strong returning cores in place. Denver South is more than capable of making noise as well with their third-place finisher at No. 1 singles, Raphael Weiland, at the head of their team.

Early contenders in order:

1. Kent Denver
2. Cheyenne Mountain
3. Niwot 
4. D’Evelyn
5. Colorado Academy
6. Denver South
7. Mullen
8. George Washington
9. Air Academy
10. Palmer Ridge

Others in consideration: Evergreen, Dawson, Vail Christian, Prospect Ridge, Grand Junction, Erie