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Prep Blog: Previewing The Boys State Tennis Tournament

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – It feels like the spring high school sports season just got into full swing due to our crummy spring weather, but it's already tournament time.

It's one of the most hectic times of the year for a high school athlete. Finals are coming up, seniors are graduating and planning their open houses. Oh yeah, and state championships are on the line. The spring sports season is condensed as it is, but with snow and rain washing out the first month of the schedule, it's a race to the finish.

The crazy schedule starts next week with the boys state tennis tournament in Minneapolis, the girls state softball tournament in North Mankato and the state track and field meet at Hamline University. We'll start with a preview of the state tennis tournament.

The Class AA boys state tennis tournament starts Thursday at the Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis. It appears that a rematch of last year's state title match is in the works in the team tournament as both Wayzata and Elk River got there. The Elks beat the Trojans 5-2 to win last year's state championship.

Only two teams in the Class AA field weren't there last year. The other returnees include St. Cloud Tech, Rochester Mayo, Mahtomedi and Maple Grove. This year's top four seeds are Wayzata, Elk River, Minnetonka and Maple Grove. Mahtomedi is the No. 5 seed. It's Elk River's tournament to defend, but I think Wayzata has as good a chance as any to win a state championship.

In the Class AA individual tournament, the top four seeds are Maxwell Olson of Edina, Toby Boyer of Forest Lake, Jesse Sprinkel of Minneapolis South and Zach Ekstein of Eagan. Dusty Boyer of Forest Lake, Toby's older brother, won last year's individual state title in straight sets.

The Class A state tournament will be held at the Reed Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis. Breck beat Rochester Lourdes 4-3 last year to win the state title, and both teams are back this year. In fact, all but one team from last year's field is back. The other teams to keep an eye on are Blake and Mound-Westonka. Virginia replaces Duluth Marshall in this year's field.

In the Class A individual tournament, Myles Tang of Breck is back to defend his state title and comes in as the No. 2 seed in the bracket. Charlie Adams of Blake enters as the top seed. The other seeded players are No. 3 Kavir Kumar of Blake and No. 4 Luke Moorhead of Mound-Westonka.

It's always fun to get out and watch the best talent the state has to offer, and this year's Class A and AA team fields and singles brackets should be as competitive as any in recent memory.

Here's the tentative schedule for the state tennis tournament:

Boys State Tennis Tournament
Class AA – Baseline Tennis Center
Class A – Reed Sweatt Tennis Center

Tuesday, June 4
Class AA Team Quarterfinals
Class A Team Quarterfinals

Wednesday, June 5
Class AA Team Semifinals/Championship
Class A Team Semifinals/Championship

Thursday, June 6
Class AA Individual Tournament
Class A Individual Tournament

Friday, June 7
Class AA Individual Tournament
Class A Individual Tournament

AA Teams: Wayzata, Elk River, Minnetonka, Maple Grove, Mahtomedi, St. Cloud Tech, Rochester Mayo, Bloomington Jefferson
A Teams: Breck, Thief River Falls, Fergus Falls, Virginia, Rochester Lourdes, Blake, Mound-Westonka, Luverne
AA singles players to watch: Maxwell Olson (Edina), Toby Boyer (Forest Lake), Jesse Sprinkel (Minneapolis South), Zach Ekstein (Eagan)
A singles players to watch: Charlie Adams (Blake), Myles Tang (Breck), Kavr Kumar (Blake), Luke Moorhead (Mound-Westonka)

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