Sturgis tennis finishes 15th at D3 state finals

KALAMAZOO — The MHSAA Division 3 state tennis finals were marked by challenging weather conditions this past weekend. Despite the interruptions, the finals were successfully completed as scheduled. Sturgis performed admirably, finishing 15th overall and earning five points at the finals.

Sturgis faced a tough draw in the seedings meetings and encountered several formidable opponents in the finals.

“The boys played exceptionally well and put up a strong fight against some very talented opponents in the early stages of the tournament,” said Sturgis coach George Earl.

Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood emerged as the champions of the Division 3 finals, securing first place with 37 points. Detroit Country Day claimed the second spot with 28 points, followed by East Grand Rapids in third with 20 points. Holland Christian finished fourth with 17 points, while St. Joseph secured fifth place with 15 points.

In the second doubles category, the Sturgis duo of George Bucklin and Carter Oswald impressed by earning two points for the Trojans. After receiving a bye in the opening round, they triumphed over Lucas Inosencio and Dylan Rogers of Parma Western in a thrilling three-set match, with scores of 6-2, 2-6, and 6-4. This match carried a two-point distinction due to both teams having received a bye in the opening round. Unfortunately, in Sturgis’ next round, they were defeated by the eventual state champions Cole Kirschenbaum and Kenneth Hu of Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood.

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Grady Miller advanced to the second round in the second singles category. He secured an impressive three-set victory against Kaleb Casler of Dewitt, with scores of 6-1 and 6-2. However, Miller’s journey came to an end in the next round, where he was defeated by top-seeded Dan Marin of Detroit Country Day with a score of 6-1, 6-1. Marin eventually lost in the finals to Caden Che of Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood.

Preston Gump showcased his skill by winning his first match in the fourth singles category. He triumphed over Andrew Wessendorf of Stevensville Lakeshore in a hard-fought three-set match, with scores of 6-3, 2-6, and 6-1. Gump then faced Kevin Ye, the third seed from Detroit Country Day, in the next round and unfortunately lost the match 6-1, 6-1. Ye went on to reach the semifinals.

In the first singles category, George Ebert faced the formidable fourth-seeded Alvaro Blazquez Navas of Big Rapids. Blazquez Navas secured victory in a closely contested three-set match, with scores of 6-1, 6-7 (4), and 6-0. Blazquez Navas advanced to the semifinals.

Christian Perry earned a bye in the opening round and faced the sixth-seeded Mikey Beusse of East Grand Rapids in the next round, where he fell 6-4, 6-1. Beusse reached the finals but was defeated by Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood.

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The first doubles category witnessed Luke Frost and Drake Harker of Sturgis winning their opening match against Pranav Gunna and CJ Dunn of Auburn Hills Avondale with scores of 6-3, 6-1. However, in their next match, the Sturgis duo succumbed to the fourth-seeded Carter Barnes and Charlie Seufert of East Grand Rapids with a score of 6-0, 6-0.

In the third doubles flight, Ian Golden and Wyatt Miller of Sturgis received a bye in the opening round. However, they were later defeated by the fifth-seeded Zak Sing and Logan Fansler of Chelsea with a score of 6-1, 6-4.

In the fourth doubles category, Brody Currier and Tristan Clark of Sturgis were unable to secure victory in their opening match and were defeated by Brayden Olds and Brayden Pischel of Big Rapids with a score of 6-2, 6-4.

Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as twitter, @BwatsonSJ.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis tennis finishes 15th at D3 state finals