Niwot tennis speeds towards postseason

The Niwot boys tennis team opened the abbreviated 2020 season at a breakneck pace, winning four times in a week while going 27-1 in match play. But so far, the road to undefeated has been pretty smooth for the Cougars and 18th-year head coach Miikka Keronen is eager to find some more challenging terrain.

"We need to be tested," he said after Niwot's 7-0 win over Riverdale Ridge on Aug. 20. "Of course I'm happy, who wouldn't be happy at 4-0. But at the same time, we're pretty loaded this year, so I'm waiting for Regis and Mullen to see where we are."

As usual, Keronen believes his team is at or near the top of the Class 4A boys tennis heap in 2020, and at this point in the season, it's hard to argue. After opening the year on Aug. 13 with a 7-0 win over Thompson Valley, the Cougars handily won three contests in four days, dropping just one doubles match along the way. While dominating their league opponents is nothing new for the Cougars, Keronen said the "loaded" 2020 lineup is bringing something extra to the court that could finally put them over the top at the state meet.

"I really think we have one of the better teams we've had in years, talent wise and camaraderie wise," he said. "The kids are working well together."

Headlining this year's lineup at No. 1 singles is senior Neil Wilcox, the 2019 Class 4A individual state champion. So far, his bid for a repeat in 2020 is proceeding apace-he has dropped just one game in four matches-thanks to the new and improved forehand he developed during the off-season.

"It tended to fall apart," he said. "But it's getting better, and it's going to be an asset this year."

Now in his fourth year, Wilcox is eager to lead the postseason charge for Niwot for a final time, even if the COVID-19 pandemic has put a bit of a damper on the proceedings.

"I was hoping for a longer season," he said. "But there are a lot of seniors on the team that I've known since I was a freshman, and I'm looking forward to playing with all of them for one more year."

One of those seniors is Sam Keronen, another fourth-year varsity veteran, who is reprising his role at No. 2 singles for Niwot. He had an earlier than expected exit at last year's state tournament, but an intense workout regimen over the summer should have him back in the mix, according to Coach Keronen.

"He's at a totally different level, and so is Neil," Coach Keronen said.

Also back for their final seasons are two more fourth-year veterans, Ivan Calderon and Xavier Moy, at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles respectively. Another pair of seniors, Maia Heather and Reevs Moor, are back for a second year at No. 3 doubles.

However, Keronen might be most excited about the few young upstarts that have managed to penetrate the senior-heavy lineup, such as sophomore Luke Weber, the new No. 3 singles player, who was the "most-improved" in the coach's view. He also has high hopes for freshman Lichen Liao, who won a spot at No. 1 doubles with Calderon. And, if those two don't work out, there's almost certainly another potential standout just waiting for an opportunity to take on varsity opponents.

"Our JV is the best it's been in years, which is pretty nice to know," Keronen said.

Rounding out the lineup is junior Alan Wilcox at No. 2 doubles with Moy, and junior Raaghav Agarwal and sophomore Ryan Gray at No. 4 doubles.

Unfortunately, Niwot's four early matches comprised almost half of the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. To comply with prevailing health guidelines, the Colorado High School Activities Association reduced the 2020 boys tennis season to nine regular season matches instead of the usual 11, prohibited invitationals, and changed the format of the regional and state meets to single-elimination. For Keronen and his squad, playing a short season is better than sitting at home on the couch, but mars what otherwise could have been an historic year.

"I would love to have a full season with this group of guys," Keronen said. "But you have to just go with it, and be happy that you can play."

That leaves five matches for the Cougars in 2020, and the stakes get higher from this point on. On Aug. 26, the Cougars will face reigning Class 5A state champion Regis Jesuit, the strongest opponent on their slate. Also coming up is Mullen, the reigning Class 4A champion, and Kent Denver, a perennial title contender. While Keronen doesn't expect his team to emerge from this stretch unscathed, he knows they will emerge stronger.

"We have the potential to be the best," he said. "I know it sounds cocky and arrogant to say it, but we're pretty good. I really like this team."