Niwot boys tennis heading to State

The autumn sun cast long shadows across the tennis courts as the Class 4A Regional Tennis Tournament unfolded at Niwot High School. The air crackled with anticipation as players from various schools gathered, their rackets ready and dreams of state glory in their hearts.

Niwot's boys tennis team, a perennial powerhouse, entered the tournament with high hopes. Leading the charge was Sebastian Moy, the school's formidable No. 1 singles player. Moy's journey began with a first-round bye, a testament to his skill and ranking. In the semifinals, he faced Josiah Brittenham from Frederick High School. Moy's powerful serves and precise groundstrokes proved too much for Brittenham, resulting in a convincing 6-3, 6-0 victory.

The finals saw Moy square off against Brady Truong from Palmer Ridge High School in a gripping match that tested both players' mettle. Truong caught Moy off guard in the first set, claiming it 6-3. However, Moy's resilience shone through as he regrouped, adjusting his strategy to secure the second set 6-4. With momentum on his side, Moy dominated the deciding set 6-1, clinching the No. 1 singles title and a spot in the state tournament.

Charlie Kirtland, Niwot's No. 2 singles player, mirrored Moy's path with a first-round bye. In the semifinals, Kirtland faced Alexander Schoolsky of Palmer Ridge High, dispatching him with a solid 6-2, 6-3 performance. The finals saw Kirtland at his absolute best, as he delivered a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory over Cole Cohen of Dawson School, showcasing his dominance and readiness for the state competition.

While the singles players shone brightly, the doubles teams faced mixed fortunes. The No. 1 doubles pair of Rex Wallington and John Macintosh stumbled in the first round, falling to Owen Jones and Jack Kujawa of Longmont High School. Similarly, the No. 3 doubles team of Zuming Haratsaris and Claude Leonard fought valiantly but succumbed to Max Eiseman and Andrew Swanson of Longmont in a tight three-set battle.

However, Niwot's No. 2 doubles duo of Gabe Bandera and Andrew Fong emerged as the dark horses of the tournament. They kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 6-3, 7-5 victory over Adam McKell and March Gephart of Longmont. Their journey continued with impressive wins against Landon Kizlyk and Wyatt Rankin of Palmer Ridge and Dawson Kusel and Parker Sullivan of Dawson School in the semifinals and finals, respectively. Both matches ended with identical 6-4, 6-4 scorelines, highlighting Bandera and Fong's consistency and clutch performance under pressure.

The No. 4 doubles team of Tyler Chivukula and Oliver Jones also had a tournament to remember. After a first-round bye, they dismantled Leo Barrett and Mason Otten of Silver Creek High School 6-0, 6-4 in the semifinals. The finals proved to be a rollercoaster, with Chivukula and Jones taking the first set 6-0 against Nick Steinkamp and Eli Karp of Dawson School, dropping the second 4-6, before rallying to claim the title with a 6-3 victory in the deciding set.

As the tournament drew to a close, the Niwot High School boys tennis team could hold their heads high. With four of their seven lines securing titles and berths to the state tournament, they had once again proved their mettle in one of Colorado's most competitive regions.

The victorious players now have their sights set on the upcoming state tournament at Pueblo City Park. Scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 17-19, it promises to be the culmination of months of hard work and dedication. As they prepare to face the best in the state, the Niwot players carry with them not just their skills and determination, but the pride and support of their school and community. The stage is set for what could be a memorable performance on the biggest stage in Colorado high school tennis.