This year's doubles and singles tournaments are filled with great competitors from across the state including a handful of past individual champions, six freshmen, and a number of place winners who came extremely close to grabbing gold in last year's state tournament. Thanks to districts being the most balanced they have been in a long time, we should be looking at at an unusually deep pool of competitors this year. Let's take a look at the highlights of the tournament and of each bracket.
No past Individual State Champions!
Unlike class 2A, this years singles and doubles field in 1A does not contain a past state champion. What an opportunity for a number of players to etch themselves into state tennis history. With last years state champions in Jon Lansing and the Willis cousins lost to graduation, new singles and doubles champions are to be crowned this weekend. Just because this years field does not contain a past champion, there are lots of players with state tournament experience. Evan Moon of North Polk, last years singles runner-up is back in the singles field and is eyeing that next leap. Daniel Buchanan of Columbus was 3rd in singles a year ago, he is now in the doubles draw this year. Rhett Peters back in the singles draw and will be looking to improve upon his 4th place finish from 2018. Other notables to watch out for this year include; Nile Peterson (Atlantic), Caleb Hammerlinck (Ballard), Cam Luhring (AP), Charlie Fair (Wahlert), Jordan Roozeboom (Pella), and AJ Clarkwitt/Drew Hall (Norwalk).
Also just a quick mention you might remember there is a new rule that allows the previous year's state finalist/champion singles player or doubles team to be seeded even if they lose their district final. There are no players in this years draws that would qualify to be seeded as a district runner-up (see rule change here).
The Singles Bracket Qualifiers Singles Draw Returning 2018 Place Winners
Evan Moon, North Polk - Singles - 2nd Place
Rhett Peters, Union LaPorte City - 4th Place
Zach Wingert, LeMars - 8th place
Two of the top 4 place winners from 2018 are back in the singles tournament this spring. Evan Moon is a strong player out of North Polk, a lefty, who is hungry to get back to the singles title match where he came up just short of the coveted title. Moon will have to get through Rhett Peters and the likes of Jordan Roozeboom, Nile Peterson, Charlie Fair, and state title favorite Cam Luhring. Just because we do not have a past state champion in this years singles tournament, doesn't mean it is a whole new experience for a good amount of players. This is a pretty veteran group competing and I expect there to be some close matches that will go down to the wire. Luhring will be making his state tournament debut this weekend and although he is new to the Iowa High School Tennis scene, he is no stranger to the big moments, where he is one of the top players in Iowa, but also in the Missouri Valley the USTA District Iowa belongs to. Luhring will be quite a tough opponent for anyone. I think any of the players mentioned above along with a couple others have great shots to try and knock out Luhring, but also have a successful tournament and place in the top four!
Freshman First-Timers
NONE
There are zero, yes I will repeat, zero freshman in the 1A singles field in 2019. While there may be no freshman, there are however six sophomores which makes up almost half of the participants as underclassman. As I have talked about Luhring in the above section, Charlie Fair of Wahlert a sophomore himself and a district champion this year will be a player I expect to not only be seeded, but competing for a spot in the state finals. The Doubles Bracket Qualifiers Doubles Draw Returning 2018 Place Winners
Daniel Buchanan (3rd singles)/Joseph Haag, Columbus
Sean Moran (8th)/Colin Reis, Denison
Marcus Klemme (4th)/Grant Carpenter, Spencer
The doubles draw has a lot of depth and I really am having a hard time picking a favorite pair to win. I don't think I wouldn't say this is a veteran group of players, in terms of state tournament experience, and with the fact the most of the "star power" players being in the singles draw. That doesn't take away the fact that this is going to be a competitive doubles tournament. There are five pairs I think have really good chances to come out with the title when the weekend is over. First, Daniel Buchanan has the most state experience in the doubles field, from what I can see and I would put him and partner Joseph Haag on the list of those title contenders. Buchanan finished 3rd in singles a year ago and both of these guys can play. The next pair I will be watching is AJ Clarkwitt and Drew Hall of Norwalk. The Warriors have bursted onto the scene in the last week winning three rounds and claiming a spot in the final four and these two guys have been a big part of their success. Third, Caleb Hamerlinck and Max Olsan of Ballard I think are going to create some noise. Hamerlinck the Central College commit has had one of the best careers in Bomber history and he is not going to want to go home early. My fourth pair of title contenders I am going to go with Marcus Klemme and Grant Carpenter. Klemme has been here before, his 4th place showing last year is proof of that. I really don't know if they will end up a seed, or what the seeds will actually be, but keep an eye on these two to make things interesting. Lastly, the Xavier duo of Wes Johnson and Matthew Schmit are just as capable to lift the trophy come Saturday. They have beaten Buchanan/Haag during the regular season and should be in the mix for a seed as well. Look for a lot of close and competitive matches to determine this draws winner. Freshmen First-Timers
Brady Horstmann, CR Xavier
Hugh Courter, CR Xavier
Colin Reis, Denison
The only three freshman in the 1A individual state tournament in 2019 will be in the doubles draw. All three were district runner-ups this spring, and all three were at the top spot for their respective programs. I think these players and pairs, among other programs have a great shot at the doubles crown this year. I can't pick a clear favorite in this draw that I think is going to dominate like the singles draw. With that being said, these freshman first-timers can do some real damage and cap off a great first year of high school tennis. Yes, these guys were district runner-ups, do I care? Not really as the matches will be played and everyone has a chance. We let the racquets do the talking and I know these three are great sports and leave it all out on the court.
See Previous 1A Coverage:
Class 1A Substate - Road to the Final Four
Class 1A Districts
May 14 Team Rankings
Comments