March 28, 2024

Panther junior gains state tourney experience

Kucera falls in 1A singles consolation

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WATERLOO — Creston/O-M’s Ryan Kucera had a tough draw in his first state tournament appearance, losing to top-seeded and defending state champion Sam Stickels of Fairfield Maharishi in straight sets in the opening round.

His first consolation match was more competitive, but the Panther junior was eliminated from contention with a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Tanner Atkinson of Camanche.

Stickels was defeated in the finals by Sam Jones of Clear Lake, 6-3, 6-4.

Nonetheless, Creston/O-M coach Kevin Cooper said it was a significant accomplishment for Kucera to advance to state tournament play with a season left. He’s just the seventh Creston boys player to participate in state competitiion, singles and doubles combined.

“It was a great season by Ryan,” Cooper said. “Going to state is a prestigious thing. Kids in all sports are trying to accomplish that. For him to go as a junior and get through that ‘first time’ thing, that’s huge. Just like at the start of the year when he had to get used to playing number one.

“He went up there and played well with good kids this year,” Cooper added. “In that 6-3 set, he almost made it 6-4. That’s competitive. And he was hitting points with Stickels. He represented himself and the team very well. Now maybe he can get back there and be more successful next year.”

Now it’s the girls turn to play at state for Creston/O-M, as two doubles teams begin Class 1A play at 10 a.m. Thursday at Prairie Ridge Sports Complex in Ankeny.

The regional championship team of Alli Thomsen and Jenna Taylor take on Amber Hrabik and Jackie Ingram of Denison-Schleswig in the first round. The regional runner-up team of Caitlin McIlravy and Sydney Dunphy play the third-seeded team of Claire Bouchard and Jeanne Bouchard of Cedar Rapids Xavier.

“What a great experience for all four of those girls to go up there and play as juniors,” Cooper said. “Jenna has been there last year with Audrey Fyock, but this is the first time for the other three. They (Taylor and Fyock) won a match last year, and we’re very hopeful of going up there and having some success again this year.”

This year’s groups are the fourth and fifth doubles teams from Creston to play in the girls state tournament. Besides the Taylor-Fyock team last year, there were Becci Kouri and Janelle Holm in 1983 and Kelly Reed with Janelle Johnson in 1980 and 1981. Also, Amanda Clark played singles for Creston at state in 2000.

Kucera joins an exclusive club of boys state tennis players from Creston. Garret Taylor placed fifth in singles last year. The other singles players were Tony Hartman in 2006 and John Brentnall in 1989. Brentnall also went to state in doubles during his career with Aaron Bjorn, and the doubles team of Colby Taylor and Bryce McIlravy played at state in 2013.

Class 1A

State singles

Championship bracket — No. 1 seeded Sam Stickels (Fairfield Maharishi) def. Ryan Kucera (Creston/O-M), 6-0, 6-0.

Consolation bracket — Tanner Atkinson (Camanche) def. Ryan Kucera (Creston/O-M), 6-3, 6-0.

Championship match — Sam Jones (Clear Lake) def. Sam Stickels (Fairfield Maharishi), 6-3, 6-4.

State doubles

Championship bracket — Gailey-Eide (St. Edmond) def. Kinsey-Pauley (Denison-Schleswig), 6-2, 6-3; LaRue-Lonning (Le Mars) def. Kettwick-Smith (Clarinda), 6-2, 7-5.

Consolation bracket — Rohlf-Tjaden (Davenport Assumption) def. Kinsey-Pauley (Denison-Schleswig), 5-7, 6-2, 1-0 (11); Curley-Lansing (Cedar Rapids Xavier) def. Kettwick-Smith (Clarinda), 6-1, 6-3.

Championship match — Gailey-Eide (Fort Dodge St. Edmond) def. Baldwin-Resnick (Davenport Assumption), 6-3, 6-3.