Let's go for number four, the last season preview is here as I check out the 2A Boys for the 2024 season.
Key Dates:
March 11 - First Practices
May 8 - Districts
May 11 - Team Regionals Begin
May 21-22 - Individual state tournament
May 30-31 - Team State
Storylines
Waukee Northwest quest for a triple crown begins
Do the Trojans at Iowa City West extend their state record title total to 12?
Boys association foolishly adds an 'opt out' option for team postseason play
Team State Title Contenders
Waukee Northwest: 2024's team title is Waukee NW's title to lose in my mind. They once again, graduated ZERO starters from last season's runner-up team and it seems like all of their players are out on the tournament circuit in the summer and winter months. Led by 2023 singles state champion and Denver signee, Kaden Taylor, the Wolves have the ultimate goal of a team crown this year and to improve upon what has already been a very successful first couple years as a program in their existence. A top three among the best in the state if not the best, Taylor, Kellan Croatt and Jake Nelson will lead the charge. The Wolves have the pieces and potential to claim the triple crown in 2024, that they nearly achieved last season.
Iowa City West: What has been the gold standard program over the last twelve years, Iowa City West once again will be in the mix for a state title and going for their 12th which would extend as the most titles in 2A boys programs in state history. As far as reported, Seth Smigel will still not be playing for the Trojans. Three starters also departed from the 2023 state championship team, which is a big hit to the lineup this year. Samir Singh returns to the top of the lineup and will need some help from the rest of the lineup to three-peat.
Linn-Mar: A very senior heavy team in 2024, the Lions have the pieces to contend at the end of the season. This program has been in the mix over the last decade, and has claimed two team titles during that time. Jake Wallrichs is back from injury this year boosting a very experienced team, to go along with Malcolm Rice, Nick Carney, Garrett Bauermeister and Jackson Kramer. Wallrichs, Rice and Carney have all committed to play college tennis next year.
Other teams to watch: Valley, Pleasant Valley
Players to Watch
Kaden Taylor - Waukee NW
Quinn Monson - Waukee
Anthony Schulte - CR Prairie
Kellan Croatt - Waukee NW
Jake Nelson - Waukee NW
Folu Adelkune - Pleasant Valley
Reed Kruger - Mason City
Samir Singh - Iowa City West
Micah Flaherty - Forth Dodge
Abhay Anil - Iowa City High
A lot of talent returns in 2024 for the 2A boys. A fun season ahead and great competition all around. The first talking point is will Waukee NW repeat in singles and doubles, and ultimately claim the coveted triple crown this year. The stars seemed align in 2023 until the very end for the Wolves. There are a ton of great players that can really make runs in singles, but will have their work cut out for them if Taylor returns to the singles field. Monson and Schulte are back after top 4 finishes each. Singles could be crazy loaded in May. On the doubles side, should Nelson/Croatt elect to go doubles again, they would be on the title defense early. I am not sure how many other pairs out there could contend with not a whole lot of teams having a lot of depth to match Waukee NW. Reed Kruger and Justin Yarahmadi were a strong pair a year ago for Mason City and could push for a doubles title berth this spring. District assignments could be interesting this year with a deep field everywhere and setting it up in the best way possible to give the best 16 players and duos the best chance getting into the state tournaments. Every match counts.
Worth noting, the state association released a boys tennis memo on March 18th this week. One of the items listed was that if a program wants to opt out of team post season play, they have to submit. a request for that by a certain date. Why was this even a talking point period? What is this teaching the student-athletes in tennis. No other sport would just have an opt out option. The rationale I was told about was if a program is struggling to field a team, they can still compete in districts, but wouldn't be able to compete in the team bracket. It is interesting to think about that is most comments I am normally hearing are there is not enough court space and schools have 70+ people out for tennis. This more in my mind is teaching these players that you can just quit if something won't go your way. There was an instance last year that a team just refused to travel for team postseason and didn't play, because they claimed they were going to lose anyway. What does that teach?
No rhyme or reason this should be a thing. At the very worst, there has to be specific criteria, and that really should only be if a team can't field 4 players, then they can just play districts and not play in the team bracket. You can mathematically win with four players.
Team State Prediction
SF: Waukee NW def. Pleasant Valley
SF: IC West def. Linn-Mar
F: Waukee NW def. IC West
Singles State Champion Prediction
Kaden Taylor, Waukee NW
Doubles State Champions Prediction
Kellan Croatt/Jake Nelson, Waukee NW
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