Two titles for the Dutch men at league tennis meet
Central College
WATERLOO — For the first time in 12 years, the Central College men’s tennis team came out on top in two different brackets of the Iowa Conference individual championships Saturday.
Entering the day with four of the remaining 20 slots across five brackets of singles and doubles play, Central earned the crown at both C flight singles and B flight doubles.
After Colin Jones (sophomore, Pella) and Jimmy Cunningham (junior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) both won their semifinal matches against opponents from Nebraska Wesleyan, it set up an all-Central final in the C flight of singles.
After dropping the first set against Cunningham, Jones stormed back to win by a final score of 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 (17-15) in a marathon of a match that lasted over two hours.
“They both played really well,” coach Ryun Ferrell said. “Colin was a man on a mission. I’ve never seen him play so intense and move his feet so well. It was great to see him come into his own.”
In the B flight of doubles, Garret Taylor (senior, Creston) and Scott Wilson (junior, Urbandale) found themselves in a bit of a predicament against Ethan Dirksen and Tyrin Wages of Coe before they surged late to a victory.
“They were down 7-3 against Coe, and came back to win six straight games,” Ferrell said. “They probably had no business being in the final, but they caught fire and got it done.”
Ferrell said that momentum helped them breeze past Sean Baldwin and Riley Michel of Loras for the title. It was the first doubles title for Central since 2004 when David Brondyke and Kris Walters won the B flight.
Junior C.J Cliff (Decorah) played for a title in the B flight of a singles but was knocked off by Cam Long of Luther 6-2, 6-3.
“C.J. had some chances to get to a third set but couldn’t quote over the jump.” Ferrell said. “He still had a great weekend.”
Still a very young squad, Ferrell was happy with what he saw out of his team.
“It’s nice to see our team reap the rewards of working hard. I’d like to think that we’re doing some good things here. We just need to keep on keeping on.”
Women wrap up regional meet – The Central College women’s tennis team got another day of competition in at USTA/ITA Midwest Division III Regional, where a pair of doubles teams went 1-2 on the day.
On the championship side of the bracket, EmmaGrace Walter (sophomore, Johnston) and Ashley Maley (junior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) were ousted from competition after dropping an 8-1 match against Luther College.
In consolation action, Paige Vannausdle (junior, Red Oak) and Jenna Stewart (sophomore, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) picked up a win against Nebraska Wesleyan 8-4, before bowing out against Wis.-Oshkosh in an 8-2 loss.
The Dutch return to league play on Wednesday with a contest at Simpson College.
