Mitchell Boys Tennis: A Strong Start at Class AA State Championships
SIOUX FALLS — The anticipation buzzed in the air as the Mitchell High School boys tennis team kicked off their journey at the prestigious Class AA state championship on Thursday.
Day 1 Performance: Seventh Place and Climbing
After a day filled with excitement at Tomar Park, McKennan Park, and Lincoln High School tennis courts, the Kernels currently stand in seventh place with 159 points. But that’s not all—they’re also vying for a state bracket title in the singles matches, setting the stage for thrilling competition ahead.
Star Players: Spotlight on Singles
Sutton Thompson Leads the Charge
Sutton Thompson, the lone Kernel singles player to advance to the semifinals, secured his spot as the No. 3 seed in Flight 6. Thompson displayed impressive skills, easily defeating Rapid City Central’s Rory Murphy in the opening round and later overpowering Aberdeen Central’s Mika Dannen with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory. Next up, he faces Sioux Falls Lincoln’s Giyun Seo in what promises to be an exhilarating semifinal match.
Competitive Matches
In other singles action, Dawson Adams showcased his talent by sweeping his opening match against Sioux Falls Roosevelt’s Andrew Brockmuller with a 6-0, 6-0 score. However, he faced a tough challenge in the quarterfinals, narrowly falling to Rapid City Stevens’ Caleb Belisle with a score of 7-6(4), 6-4. Meanwhile, Asher Dannenbring fought his way to the quarterfinals in Flight 3, only to be defeated by Sioux Falls O’Gorman’s August Jackson at 6-1, 6-3.
Doubles Duo: Success and Challenges
Dannenbring and Adams Shine
The doubles team of Dannenbring and Adams surged into the semifinal round in Flight 3 doubles, edging past Watertown’s Sam Karst and Dawson Hartman with a scoreline of 6-3, 2-6, 10-5. Unfortunately, they faced a setback in the semifinals, succumbing to Lincoln’s Seo and Simeon Seruyange with a close finish of 6-4, 7-6(5).
Hurdles in Top Flight Doubles
At No. 1 doubles, the pair of Mauszycki and Jerke claimed victory in their opening match but fell short against the highly-ranked duo of Alexander Rallis and Jackson Hancock of Harrisburg, who won decisively at 6-0, 6-1. Additionally, Stars and Thompson encountered tough competition against O’Gorman’s Jackson and Finn Canfield in the Flight 2 quarterfinals.
Team Standings: A Close Race
As Day 1 came to a close, Harrisburg held a slight edge over defending state champions Sioux Falls Lincoln, leading the team standings with 336 points to Lincoln’s 333.5 points. The Patriots have claimed the state boys tennis title for the past ten seasons, showcasing their dominance in the sport. Following closely behind are O’Gorman (268), Yankton (224), and Rapid City Stevens (211.5), all vying for their chance at the championship.
What’s Next?
Mark your calendars! Day 2 of the Class AA state boys tennis championships kicks off at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 23, at Tomar Park in Sioux Falls. With so much on the line, tennis enthusiasts won’t want to miss the action.
Stay tuned as the Kernels continue their pursuit for glory, showcasing the resilience and skill that makes Mitchell High School proud.
For more coverage on state championships and athletes, explore the updates from Mitchell Republic here.
