Boy tennis wins districts

The boys tennis team became the district champion and qualified all four of their entries for the state tournament May 12.

Owen Aanestad

Eli Young ’21 eyes the ball as he prepares to make a play while playing singles at the IHSAA Boys District Tennis tournament on May 12.

Hanah Kitamoto, Print Co-Editor-In-Chief

It’s not common to see teammates playing against each other during matches.

Jayden Shin ’23 watches the ball fly over the net at the IHSAA Boys District Tennis tournament May 12. (Owen Aanestad)

However, when one team dominates a tournament, it’s normal to see a couple of teammates face off for the better seed in the state tournament.

The boys tennis team showcased their impressive depth yesterday as they claimed the district title behind championship wins in both singles and doubles at the West High tennis courts.

Both of West’s doubles teams (Luca Chackalackal ’22 and Mukundan Kasturirangan ’21 & Samir Singh ’24 and BJ Wolf ’21) won their matches 6-0, 6-0 in the semi-final round and played each other in the final round. Chackalackal and Kasturirangan won 6-3, 6-2 against teammates Singh and Wolf to claim the singles district title.

 

Mukundan Kasturirangan ’21 makes a play on the ball while fighting through a knee injury at the IHSAA Boys District Tennis tournament May 12. (Owen Aanestad)

Jayden Shin ’23 won 6-0, 6-0 against Rich Bliesner of Burlington in the second round for singles while teammate Eli Young ’21 won his match 6-4, 6-2 over Zaren Kirubakaran. Both players advanced to the final round had a lengthy match-up Wednesday afternoon, but Young ultimately took over the match 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-2.

The boys tennis team will compete at the singles and doubles state tournament May 28-29.

Luca Chackalackal ’22 looks to score after taking a swing at the ball at the IHSAA Boys District Tennis tournament May 12. (Owen Aanestad)