The Kentridge boys tennis team hasn’t yet mathematically clinched its second straight South Puget Sound League North Division title.
But at 11-0, the goal is certainly within reach.
On Wednesday, the Chargers, riding the success of a deep and talented group of underclassmen, including top singles player Matt Overland and the undefeated No. 1 doubles tandem Paul Yi and Vineeth Omkaram, cruised past Auburn, 5-0.
“It’s been about as good as it can get,” Kentridge coach Bob Armstrong said of the current campaign. “The kids have played hard and we have a pretty young team, all juniors and a sophomores. We only have one senior. But it’s been gratifying seeing these guys play up to their potential.”
Coming into the season, Armstrong knew he had the horses to make a run at another SPSL North title. With Overland fresh off a third-place finish in last spring’s Class 4A state tournament, and the Yi-Omkaram duo also gaining state experience, the future couldn’t have been brighter.
Now, with only five matches left before the sub-district tournament that begins Oct. 22, the Chargers are firmly in command.
Against Auburn, they showed why they atop the SPSL North pile, with Overland defeating Jesse Fisher, 6-0, 6-2 and undefeated No. 2 player Garrett Ballou polishing off Tim Hartke, 6-0, 6-0.
Omkaram and Yi defeated Josh Jeter and Travis Henley, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1). Jeter and Hanley went to the Class 3A state tournament last spring. KR’s No. 2 squad of Donald Hall and Vincent Lin knocked off Brenton Millard and Brandon Wilber, 6-2, 6-3. Rounding out the win for the Chargers was the No. 3 doubles team of Henry Ly and Vishall Diwan, who beat Jake Carson and Tyler Ball, 6-1, 7-5.
• ALSO: Kentlake slipped by Tahoma, 3-2, in SPSL North action on Wednesday. The Falcons got wins in No. 1 and No. 2 singles with Trenton Jocz and Kyle Thomas coming out on top. The No. 1 doubles team of Taylor Welch and Jordan Amoth also won. … Kentwood defeated Federal Way, 3-2. Tucker Siegert (playing No. 1 singles while Max Manthou competes in doubles) picked up a win as did Manthou and partner Chris Rumer along with No. 3 doubles tandem Justin Rodjanapanyakul and Adrian Tabquin.
GOLF
The Kentwood boys improved to 8-1 on Tuesday, handling Auburn 82-65 at Meridian Valley Country Club. Kent Hagen bagged medalist honors, carding a 35 for 19 points. … The Kentwood girls remained unbeaten on Tuesday as Rui Li carded a 3-under-par 32 to earn medalist honors and lead the Conquerors past Auburn.
CROSS COUNTRY
Auburn Riverside’s Julian-Blake Cowan continued his torrid pace on Wednesday, clocking a meet-best 13 minute, 24 second run against Federal Way and Kentwood. Cowan was coming off a second-place finish at the prestigious Sunfair Invitational in Yakima. Teammate Kenny Krotzer wasn’t far behind, taking second in 13:55 followed by Kentwood duo Tim Pettit (14:06) and Kevin Massimino (14:15). …Kent-Meridian’s Derrick Daigre and D.J. Jigre posted a 1-2 finish at Game Farm Park against Auburn and Kentridge, breaking the tape in 16:27 and 16:33 respectively. … On the girls’ side, Auburn Riverside’s Kalee Cypra (16:42), Rachel Atwood (16:46) and Kelsey Loomans (16:52) led a 1-2-3 Raven finish against Kentwood and Federal Way. Kailey Ulland paced Kentwood, clocking in at 17:02.
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