Creston, Southwest Valley see boys tennis seasons end at districts

RED OAK — Creston/O-M’s boys tennis season came to an end at a Class 1A district tournament Wednesday.

The Panthers entered two singles players and two doubles teams into the tournament, and Creston/O-M head coach Kevin Cooper said his boys faced an uphill battle early on.

“Today was a tough day for our kids,” he said. “We were underdogs in every match that we drew, and we just played way too inconsitently.”

At No. 1 singles, senior Jeremy Rutz lost 6-2, 6-2 to Southwest Valley junior Gabe Fuller.

At No. 2 singles, senior Nate Wells lost to Clarinda junior Lance Reghr 6-3, 6-2.

In doubles competition, seniors James Kunz and Daniel Merritt lost to Batten and Kirsch of Glenwood 6-1, 6-4.

Junior Avery Fuller and senior Foster McCutchan lost to Glenwood duo Tegan Mathney and Tyler Harger.

The Panthers say goodbye to Kunz, McCutchan, Adam McElwain, Merritt, Rutz and Wells. The team finished 3-6 in duals this year.

“Our boys have had a good year and we were so thankful we got to have a season this year,” Cooper said.

T’Wolves come close

Southwest Valley earned two semifinal berths but ultimately came up just short of earning spots at the individual state tourney.

The top two entries in singles and doubles advanced to state, and the Timberwolves got a third place finish in doubles from Adam Timmerman and Evan Timmerman. Kade Hutchings finished fourth in singles. The other entries were Gabe Fuller, who was a quarterfinalist in singles, and the doubles team of Dom Nicolas and Owen Paul who dropped their opening-round match.