TENNIS: Libby boys win state title; Bigfork places two in top four
MISSOULA — It took one extra day to finish the Class B-C state tennis tournament, but all that meant was the parade was pushed back a day.
In an event extended from two to three days by rainy conditions, Libby’s boys won the Class B-C state tennis championship on Saturday at the Peak Racquet Club. The Loggers team arrived back in Libby to a police escort and a line of honking horns celebrating the first tennis championship in school history.
“It was one of the coolest things the kids have ever seen,” Libby coach Kyle Hannah said. “(The sheriff) let us out in front and as we got out of Shopko(‘s parking lot) there were the people waiting for us and honking, even in the pouring rain.”
The Loggers made a five-mile loop through downtown with their fans escorting them, a line of cars that according to Hannah stretched for a half-mile. The parade finished with an impromptu pep rally at the high school, which was moved from Class A to Class B because of its enrollment before the start of this school year.
Libby actually clinched the team title on points Friday night, a fact that Hannah discovered late that evening while meeting with a pair of Loggers track and basketball coaches who were also in Missoula for the Western B track divisionals.
“It was funny, my long time friend and coach(es) Jim May and Josh Bean were there with us,” Hannah said. “They brought me in their (hotel) room and made me do some point counting.”
Hannah said some of the team members knew the outcome had already been decided before Saturday, but when the final point totals were announced it was still an emotional moment.
“There were tears rolling down the parents and the fans’ (faces), and the kids were giving high fives and hugs,” Hannah said. “The Libby cheer was one of those surreal moments.”
The doubles team of Erik Lauer and Braydan Thom did much of the heavy lifting on Thursday and Friday, the two scheduled days of the tournament, winning a pair of three-set matches on Friday to reach Saturday’s finals. They came up short there, losing 6-4, 6-3 to Conrad’s Cordell Wittmer and Austin Padilla, but the seven points earned from a second place finish all-but guaranteed the victory.
“They were clutch,” Hannah said of the pair.
“Staying in that winners side and fighting through those matches really sealed the deal for us. They got behind a couple of times and kept their heads, and that was the most impressive part.”
The Loggers had a state placer in the singles draw, too, where senior Jason Brant finished fourth after a 6-3, 6-1 loss in the consolation final to Roger Mai of Great Falls Central.
Libby almost added another title, with the girls team finishing second. Chinook won the event going away with 56 points, but Libby and Fairfield were next with 21 points each.
“That was the surprise of the tournament,” Hannah said of the girls team. “Kaylene Hudson came in and played great tennis for me all year long. Her leadership and her drive motivated the others. They wanted to go out and compete and they did.”
Hudson lost in her bid for a singles title, falling 6-2, 6-0 to Lone Peak’s Luisa Locker, but Hudson’s second place finish accounted for a third of Libby’s total points.
Bigfork had a pair of state placers, too, both in doubles. The boys team of George Gibson and Ben Russell won the consolation final to claim third place, beating Andrew Esslinger and Nathan Doll of St. Ingatius, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6.
Alauna Weilacher and Kalia Wicklund took home fourth in the girls doubles after dropping a tight 6-4, 6-7 (8), 10-7 decision to Amelia Konen and Annie Townsend of Fairfield.
State B-C Tournament
Saturday
At Peak Racquet Club (Missoula)
BOYS
Final team scores: Libby 39, Anaconda 21, Loyola Sacred Heart 19, Ronan 17, Valley Christian 16, Conrad 16, St. Ignatius 14, Bigfork 14, Great Falls Central 14, Darby 3, Cut Bank 3.
Singles
Final
Carsen Boynton, Ana, def. Trey Christiaens, VC, 6-1, 6-0.
Consolation final
Roger Mai, GFC, def. Jason Brant, Lib, 6-3, 6-1.
Doubles
Final
Cordell Wittmier/Austin Padilla, Con, def. Erik Lauer/Braydan Thom, Lib, 6-4, 6-3.
Consolation final
George Gibson/Ben Russell, BF, def. Andrew Esslinger/Nathan Doll, SI, 7-5, 3-6, 10-6.
GIRLS
Final team scores: Chinook 56, Libby 21, Fairfield 21, Loyola 20, Townsend 20, Lone Peak 18, Bigfork 11, Cut Bank 7, Boulder 7, Fort Benton 7, Chester 5, Valley Christian 4, Darby 4, Baker 3, Philipsburg 3, Troy 3, Choteau 3, Conrad 2, Forsyth 2, Whitehall 2.
Singles
Final
Luisa Locker, LP, def. Kaylene Hudson, Lib, 6-2, 6-0.
Consolation final
Brooke Nicholson, Chi, def. Melanie Benson, Loy, 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles
Final
Lauren Harshman/Cortney Gunderson, Chi, def. Hattie Niederegger/Sierra Swank, Chi, 6-2, 6-1.
Consolation final
Amelia Konen/Annie Townsend, FF, def. Alauna Weilacher/Kalia Wicklund, BF, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 10-7.