Three Grand Forks singles players, one doubles team still alive for state boys tennis titles

October 13—GRAND FORKS — In the North Dakota state boys tennis tournament, Grand Forks high schools have advanced three singles players and one doubles team to the championships after an exciting first day of the individual portion of the competition at Choice Health and Fitness.

Singles players Evan Panzer and Cole Wilber from Central, along with Espen Schneider from Red River, are still in contention. Panzer secured his place in the quarterfinals by defeating Tyler Wahl from Bismarck with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. Wilber also had an impressive victory against Garrett Tostenson from Fargo North, winning 6-3, 6-3. Schneider dominated his match against Jared Pitcher from Bismarck Century, winning 6-0, 6-0.

Jake McCormick from Fargo Davies is the fourth singles player still in the running for the championship.

On the doubles side, Red River’s Kellen Johnson and Julian Mallory faced off against Central’s Jason Ling and Hanson Du in a thrilling quarterfinal match. Johnson and Mallory emerged victorious with a score of 2-6, 6-0, 7-6(8).

Other remaining doubles partners include the Minot duo of Grayson Schaeffer and Aidan Diehl, the Bismarck Legacy pair Drew Beasley and Caleb Johnson, and the West Fargo Sheyenne team of Mason Christensen and Momin Durrani.

The singles semifinals will take place on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Panzer will go head-to-head against Schneider, while McCormick will face Wilber on the other side of the singles bracket.

Wilber claimed the region singles title, and Panzer played in the state team tournament as the Knights’ No. 1 singles player. Wilber and Panzer teamed up to conquer the 2022 state doubles championship.

The doubles semifinals will begin at 11 a.m. Legacy’s Beasley and Johnson will face Sheyenne’s Christensen and Durrani, while Minot’s Schaeffer and Diehl will compete against Red River’s Johnson and Mallory.

The team title was decided on Thursday, with Central emerging as the champions after defeating Red River 3-2 in the championship match.