CHSAANow

Category: Boys Tennis

  • Friday’s start of 4A and 5A boys tennis delayed by more rain

    (Bethany Brookens/CHSAANow.com)
    The courts at Pueblo City Park on Friday morning. (Bethany Brookens/CHSAANow.com)

    Rain, again, is causing delays in the Class 4A boys tennis state tournament. The start of the 5A tournament is also delayed.

    Overnight rain which is continuing in the Pueblo area Friday morning has caused puddles on the courts at Pueblo City Park, site of the 4A tournament. As a result, the scheduled 9 a.m. start has been delayed.

    Thursday’s opening rounds in 4A saw a 5-hour, 42-minute rain delay. It resulted in just 25 matches being completed by day’s end.

    Update, 7:49 a.m.: Rain has not let up in Pueblo. No new start time has been set. Coaches are advised to keep checking CHSAANow.com and @CHSAA for updates every half hour.

    Update, 10:26 a.m.: After a brief reprieve, it is now raining again in Pueblo. The planned noon restart will not happen.

    Update, 3:10 p.m.: The 4A tournament will begin play just as soon as the courts are dry. Players should head over the the venue.

    “We’ll try to finish as many rounds as we can,” said assistant commissioner Bethany Brookens, who oversees tennis.

    Update, 5:54 p.m.: Play in the 4A tournament is finally underway. Here’s the plan:

    • First-round and quarterfinal matches will try to complete Friday at Pueblo City Park, for most positions.
    • No. 4 doubles will try to play first-round and quarterfinal matches at Pueblo Centennial High School.
    • Upon completion of their first-round matches, No. 3 doubles will head to Pueblo Centennial to play quarterfinals.
    • If two rounds are completed Friday, semifinals will begin play at 9 a.m. Saturday at Pueblo City Park. Playbacks will follow. If not, they would be scheduled for later on Saturday.
    • If — and only if — two rounds are completed on Friday, the finals and third/fourth place matches will be Saturday upon completion of semifinals and playbacks.
    • If two rounds are not completed on Friday, Sunday is being considered to complete the tournament.

    Meanwhile, the 5A tournament, held at Gates Tennis Center in Denver, is also delayed because of wet courts. It is not currently raining in the Denver area, but overnight rain has left moisture on the courts. Play was scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

    Update, 10:30 a.m.: Play has started in the 5A tournament.

    When play does resume in 5A, the tournament will stay at one site on Friday, as only 14 courts are needed.

  • Boys tennis: Fairview’s Castelino back in a fourth-straight championship match

    Gates Tennis Center 5A boys tennis state
    Fairview’s Ignatius Castelino returns a serve on Friday. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    DENVER — Ignatius Castelino didn’t panic when he lost a first-set tiebreaker in Friday’s No. 1 singles semifinal at the Class 5A boys tennis state championships.

    The Fairview senior had been there before.

    “It’s not that big of a thing,” Castelino said afterward, “(just play) one point at a time.”

    He played the remaining points well, as he took the final two sets over Denver East’s Kai Smith 6-1, 6-1 to advance to his fourth state championship match.

    Castelino has never won a state title, losing to a Cherry Creek entry in each of his three previous state title matches.

    “It’s been motivating,” he said of wanting to finally win a state championship.

    It almost didn’t happen. In one of the best matches of the tournament thus far, neither player could hold serve in the first set, going eight straight games breaking each other’s serve.

    “My serve hasn’t always been my strength,” Castelino said. “I take away the other guy’s strength.”

    Smith, a sophomore, broke serve to tie the first set 6-6, then eased to a 7-1 victory in the tiebreaker.

    Castelino then refocused. Although the two traded spectacular volleys at times, it was the Fairview player winning most of them.

    Castelino will play Cherry Creek sophomore Ethan Hillis for the state title at 9 a.m. Saturday. Hillis was the No. 3 singles champion as a freshman.

    He has resigned himself to that.

    “It’s always Creek,” Castelino said of facing another Bruin for the state title.

    Hillis defeated Castelino twice during the regular season, although the Fairview player has come out on top in other previous matches.

    “I just need to dig a little deeper and focus like today,” he said.

    Cherry Creek, with entries in all three singles finals and three of the four doubles title matches, wrapped up the team championship before play ended Friday. It is the Bruins’ fourth-straight championship, and 39th in the past 42 seasons. They have 73 team points to this point.

    Castelino’s Knights are currently in second place in the team race with 49 points. Denver East is in third with 43, while Boulder has 38. Fossil Ridge has 25 points after Friday’s rounds.

    Find complete 5A results on the draws.

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    Photos

  • Some 5A boys tennis matches moved to City Park; 4A delayed by rain

    5A boys tennis state tournament Gates Tennis Center
    Gates Tennis Center in Denver. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Update, 12:00 p.m. Thursday: The Class 4A boys tennis state tournament in Pueblo, suspended by rain this morning, is set to resume play at 1 p.m. unless there’s a change in the weather.

    Players were pulled off the courts at 10:08 a.m. when rain started.

    A total of ten matches were completed prior to the delay.

    Earlier story, from 7:45 a.m. Thursday:

    In a effort to get as many matches in before rain sets in at the Class 5A boys tennis state tournament on Thursday, the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 doubles pairings will begin play at City Park in Denver.

    There are 12 courts at Denver’s City Park, so all of the No. 2 matches will begin play as close to 9 a.m. as possible. Half of the No. 3 doubles matches will also begin play immediately.

    City Park is located across 17th Avenue from Denver East High School. The courts are near 23rd Avenue and York Street.

    5A’s Nos. 1, 2, and 3 singles as well as No. 1 doubles will begin play at 9 a.m. at Gates Tennis Center, as originally planned.

    The 4A tournament in Pueblo is on as scheduled at Pueblo City Park, where rain is also expected. There is no second site for that tournament, so matches will play until weather forces them to stop.

    We will be tracking results from all matches on the brackets on Thursday. We’re also tracking 4A results.

  • State tennis roundup: Boulder’s Smith rallies in three-set quarterfinal

    5A state tennis Gates Tennis Center
    Mountain Vista’s Ben Antonsen serves to Boulder’s Kap Smith on Thursday. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    DENVER — Kap Smith didn’t let the tension of playing in his first Class 5A state tennis tournament get to him.

    The Boulder High School freshman cruised to a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Brian Ross of Chatfield in his first-round match Thursday, then played the comeback mode as he rallied to defeat Ben Antonsen of Mountain Vista in their three-set quarterfinal.

    After losing the first set 7-6, including a 7-4 tiebreaker, Smith found himself trailing Antonsen 3-0 in the second set.

    At the changeover, “I was thinking about my aunt,” he said. “She’s sick. I just said, ‘I’m thinking about you.’”

    That was all the motivation he needed as he won the next six games, taking the set, then held off Antonsen 6-4 in the third set.

    “I think that’s my first three-setter (of the season),” he said of having to go the distance in the match.

    Smith admitted that the atmosphere at the Gates Tennis Center got to him early.

    “I didn’t expect everything here,” he said of the spectacle of the state tournament.

    After falling behind in the second set of the quarterfinals, “I was too pumped up,” he said. So, “I just slowed everything down.”

    Smith faces a tall order on Friday’s semifinals. He’ll meet Ethan Hillis of Cherry Creek, last year’s state champion at No. 3 singles.

    What did Smith take from his first day?

    “My fight and spirit,” he said. “I’ll do it for Boulder High.”

    Traditional power Cherry Creek continued its dominance in the state tennis ranks. The Bruins tallied 21 points to take the first-day lead in the team race over Denver East by five points, with Fairview third with 15 points. Smith helped Boulder to a tie for fourth with 12 points.

    The semifinals, weather permitting, begin at 9 a.m. Friday at Gates Tennis Center.

    Find full results from the first day of the tournament here.

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    Rain forces long delay at 4A tournament

    4A state tennis
    Rain forced a long delay at the 4A state tennis championships. (Dan Mohrmann)

    While the 5A tournament split into two sites in an effort to avoid rain that never materialized, the 4A tournament in Pueblo wasn’t as lucky.

    Play was suspended at 10:08 a.m. with just 10 matches completed. It didn’t resume again until 3:50 p.m., as tournament officials had to wait for the courts to fully dry out. The delay lasted 5 hours and 42 minutes.

    The tournament resumed for exactly an hour and a half before more rain caused the rest of the first day of play to be postponed to Friday. The first round was not completed, but 15 further matches finished after the delay.

    Through the 25 matches completed Thursday, Kent Denver held the team lead with four points. Colorado Academy, Niwot and Air Academy are all tied in second place with three points. Lewis-Palmer, Greeley Central and Aspen all have two team points.

    Further delays on Saturday — in both Pueblo and Denver — are possible. Forecasts for both areas show overnight rain which is expected to continue into the morning.

    Find complete 4A results here.

    — Ryan Casey, CHSAANow.com

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    Photos

  • Weather contingencies for 5A and 4A boys tennis state tournaments

    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    AURORA — With rain in the forecast for both Denver and Pueblo on Thursday and Friday morning, the structure of boys tennis’ state tournaments are very likely to change.

    The Class 5A tournament is scheduled to be at Gates Tennis Center in Denver, while 4A is at Pueblo City Park in Pueblo. The tournaments could expand to additional sites.

    Update, 7:45 a.m. Thursday: The 5A tournament will also play matches at City Park in Denver.

    Update, 10:11 a.m. Thursday: The 4A tournament has been delayed by rain.

    Both tournaments are slated for Thursday to Saturday, though that, too, could change. Sunday and/or Monday are options to finish the tournaments, should it be needed.

    “We are going to do everything in our power to get this tournament done by Saturday night,” said CHSAA assistant commissioner Bethany Brookens, who oversees tennis. “We thank you for your support and patience and flexibility. We are still looking forward to two great tournaments and hope that drastic steps do not have to be taken in order to complete it.”

    What follows is the contingency plan which was sent out to schools on Wednesday afternoon:

    • All coaches and all teams need to be present at their respective site for the coaches and team meeting at 8:40 a.m. on Thursday.
    • Coaches, players and parents need to be ready to play at different sites, at different times, with perhaps modified scoring. Anything is possible in order to finish the tournament. Sunday and/or Monday may have to be an option if the weather does not improve. However, we will do everything in our power to prevent this.
    • For the 5A tournament, if play can begin tomorrow, there is a strong possibility that the tournament will split the positions between City Park in Denver and Gates in order to try to get the first round complete. It’s imperative that all positions are ready to play tomorrow morning.
    • All communication will be posted on CHSAANow.com. Please do not call the CHSAA office with questions. Our website will be the most up-to-date and reliable resource for you.

  • Final results: 5A boys tennis state tournament

    Draws for the Class 5A boys tennis state tournament, held Oct. 9-11 at Gates Tennis Center in Denver, are below.

    All matches start at 9 a.m. each day. The first two rounds at each position will be played Thursday. Friday morning will be all semifinals, and the playback matches will start immediately afterwards. All third- and fourth-place matches and finals will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

    Should weather intervene, check CHSAANow.com for contingency plans.

    These results are being updated throughout the tournament.

    For more information on the process for creating these brackets, click here or scroll down.

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    Class 5A boys tennis state tournament

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    Information on the state tournament and draw creation

    Only those teams who qualify four or more positions to state are eligible for the CHSAA state team championship title. The bracket creation process is as follows:

    1. All 16 individuals/teams will be considered for placement on the draw.
    2. The top 4 individuals/teams will be placed.
    3. The committee shall consider the following factors (in no particular order of importance): strength of league, overall record, strength of competition, head-to-head competition and common opponents.
    4. The remaining Regional Winners (#1’s) will be randomly drawn for places on the draw.
    5. The Regional Finishers (#2’s) will then be randomly drawn for matches against a Regional Winner.
    6. All Regional Winners will be paired against a Regional Finishers.
    7. No two teams or individuals from the same Region will play each other during the first round of the state championship.

  • Final results: 4A boys tennis state tournament

    Draws for the Class 4A boys tennis state tournament, held Oct. 9-11 at Pueblo City Park, are below.

    All matches start at 9 a.m. each day. The first two rounds at each position will be played Thursday. Friday morning will be all semifinals, and the playback matches will start immediately afterwards. All third- and fourth-place matches and finals will be at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning.

    Should weather intervene, check CHSAANow.com for contingency plans.

    These results are being updated throughout the tournament.

    For more information on the process for creating these brackets, click here or scroll down.

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    Class 4A boys tennis state tournament

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    Information on the state tournament and draw creation

    Only those teams who qualify four or more positions to state are eligible for the CHSAA state team championship title. The bracket creation process is as follows:

    1. All 16 individuals/teams will be considered for placement on the draw.
    2. The top 4 individuals/teams will be placed.
    3. The committee shall consider the following factors (in no particular order of importance): strength of league, overall record, strength of competition, head-to-head competition and common opponents.
    4. The remaining Regional Winners (#1’s) will be randomly drawn for places on the draw.
    5. The Regional Finishers (#2’s) will then be randomly drawn for matches against a Regional Winner.
    6. All Regional Winners will be paired against a Regional Finishers.
    7. No two teams or individuals from the same Region will play each other during the first round of the state championship.

  • Photos: Legacy boys tennis beats Mountain Range in dual

    WESMINSTER — Legacy topped Mountain Range boys tennis in a dual on Thursday, 6-1.

  • Boys tennis regional schedule for 5A and 4A

    Montrose Grand Junction Central boys tennis
    (Tom Hoganson)

    Below is a list of boys tennis’ regional schedules for the 2014 season.

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    Class 5A

    Region 1

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Cherry Creek HS

    Site contact: Kirk Price/John Gibas (Cherry Creek)

    Coaches meeting: Monday, Sept. 2, Room 88 West, 7 p.m.

    Schools: Cherry Creek, Palmer, Fort Collins, Thornton, Dakota Ridge, Poudre, Chaparral

    Region 2

    Date: Sept. 30-Oct. 1

    Site: Fairview HS

    Site contact: Frank Lee (Fairview)

    Coaches meeting: TBD

    Schools: Fairview, Pine Creek, Abraham Lincoln, Legend, Broomfield, Eaglecrest, Highlands Ranch

    Region 3

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Ken Caryl Ranch

    Site contact: Chad Broer (Chatfield)

    Coaches meeting: TBD

    Schools: Chatfield, Arapahoe, Brighton, Grandview, ThunderRidge, Doherty, Horizon

    Region 4

    Date: Oct. 2-3

    Site: Colorado Mesa

    Site contact: Paul Cain (Mesa County Schools)

    Coaches meeting: Oct. 7, 7:30 a.m. at CMU tennis office

    Schools: Fruita Monument, Grand Junction, Grand Junction Central, Monarch, Coronado, Bear Creek, Greeley West

    Region 5

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Redstone Park

    Site contact: Jim Flanigan (Mountain Vista)

    Coaches meeting: TBD

    Schools: Mountain Vista, George Washington, Cherokee Trail, Ralston Valley, Overland, Castle View, Mountain Range, Fountain-Fort Carson

    Region 6

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Denver City Park

    Site contact: Mark Thalhofer (Denver East)

    Coaches meeting: Sept. 29, 7 p.m., Denver East, Room 319

    Schools: Denver East, Arvada West, Rampart, Montbello, Loveland, Ponderosa, Douglas County

    Region 7

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: CAC Monaco

    Site contact: Laura Jones (Regis Jesuit)

    Coaches meeting: Sept. 29, 6:30 p.m., Regis Jesuit (boys division) main office

    Schools: Regis Jesuit, Fossil Ridge, Northglenn, Smoky Hill, Rock Canyon, Rocky Mountain, Pomona

    Region 8

    Date: Sept. 30-Oct. 1

    Site: CU South Courts

    Site contact: Melissa Warfield (Boulder)

    Coaches meeting:Sept. 29 at Boulder, 7 p.m.

    Schools: Boulder, Heritage, Rangeview, Lakewood, Columbine, Liberty, Legacy

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    Class 4A

    Region 1

    Date: Sept. 30-Oct. 2

    Site: Colorado Academy

    Site contact: Jenn Adams (Colorado Academy)

    Schools: Colorado Academy, Arvada, Denver North, Denver South, Denver West, D’Evelyn, DSST, Evergreen, Kennedy, Thomas Jefferson

    Region 2

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Kent Denver & Cherry Hills CC

    Site contact: Richard Judd (Kent)

    Schools: Kent Denver, Discovery Canyon, Englewood, Green Mountain, Littleton, Lutheran, Machebeuf, Valor Christian

    Region 3

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Mullen HS & Pinehurst CC

    Site contact: Hank Hooper (Mullen)

    Schools: Mullen, Alameda, Conifer, Falcon, Golden, Lewis-Palmer, Palmer Ridge, Wheat Ridge

    Region 4

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Centennial Courts (Greeley)

    Site contact: Rick Schmitz (Greeley Central)

    Schools: Greeley Central, Fort Lupton, Mountain View, Northridge, Thompson Valley, University, Weld Central, Windsor

    Region 5

    Date: Oct. 1-2

    Site: Niwot HS

    Site contact: Chase McBride, Niwot

    Schools: Niwot, Dawson School, Centaurus, Erie, Frederick, Holy Family, Longmont, Peak to Peak, Silver Creek, Skyline, Skyview, Standley Lake

    Region 6

    Date: Oct. 2-3

    Site: Cheyenne Mountain HS

    Site contact: Kris Roberts (Cheyenne Mountain)

    Schools: Cheyenne Mountain, Air Academy, CS Christian, CS School, Mitchell, Sand Creek, St. Mary’s HS, Vanguard, Widefield

    Region 7

    Date: Oct. 3-4

    Site: Pueblo City Park

    Site contact: Cherie Toussaint (Pueblo County)

    Schools: Pueblo County, Canon City, Fountain Valley, Mesa Ridge, Pueblo Centennial, Pueblo Central, Pueblo East, Pueblo South, Pueblo West

    Region 8

    Date: Oct. 2-3

    Site: Delta — Cleland Park & Bill Heddles Rec

    Site contact: Isaac Snell (Hotchkiss)

    Schools: Delta, Aspen, Cedaredge, Durango, Hotchkiss, Montezuma-Cortez, Montrose, Roaring Fork, Steamboat Springs, Vail Mountain

  • Photos: Mountain Range boys tennis wins dual vs. Brighton

    WESTMINSTER — The Mountain Range boys tennis team won their second consecutive dual on Monday, beating Brighton in a close dual, 4-3.