TRAVERSE CITY – After winning the state championship in 2021, Traverse City St. Francis boys tennis followed it up with a third-place finish at the MHSAA State Championships over the weekend.
The Gladiators’ Owen Jackson won an individual state championship in singles flight 2.
Charlie King and Derek Berta, the No. 1 seed in doubles flight 1, made it to the state semifinals.
King and Berta said they were disappointed they couldn’t bring home a state title, but they understand that a top five finish is still a great accomplishment.
“It was definitely disappointing going in as the one seed and losing in the semifinal,” said Berta. “But I think as a team and as two players who are trying to play college tennis I think we’re ready to move on and learn from it.”
“Everything went right down to the wire,” added King. “Everything was close, and I think everybody went out there and played their best. So we played really well and fought our hardest out there. I’m really proud of what we accomplished.”
St. Francis’ third-place finish was the highest finish among teams in the 9&10 News viewing area, but Big Rapids was right behind them in fourth place.
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