By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden was the most recent school to win the Class 4A boys tennis championship and the ultimate goal for James Sandstrom's Wildcats this spring will be to repeat.
But after having the entire '20 season wiped out by COVID-19, Hayden, like teams across the state, will be starting over in many respects this season.
The Wildcats return junior Michael Sandstrom, who placed fifth in 4A doubles two years ago as a freshman, but otherwise it's a brand new lineup for a Hayden team which edged Wichita Trinity Academy by a 39-35 margin for the 2019 4A title in Pratt.
So far, however, James Sandstrom has liked what he's seen out of the Wildcats in preseason practice.
"The chemistry is really good and everything is about building towards state, and how we can do at state,'' Sandstrom said. "We'll see how the team comes together, but it really is about how we match up at the state level and not having a season last year, there's a lot of question marks and a lot of uncertainty, but at the same time a lot of erxcitement.''
Junior Michael Sandstrom returns for Hayden's tennis team after placing fourth in Class 4A in doubles as a freshman. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Players who are expected to challenge for varsity time this season include senior Johnny Holloway, juniors Tyler Broxterman, Patrick Gorman and Aidan Butcher and sophomore Guz Glotzbach.
The Wildcats should also get a big boost from singles standout Alex Sherer, a Rossville senior who has joined Hayden's team as a co-op player for regular-season competition. Sherer will compete for Rossville in 3A-1A postseason tournaments, where he could be a definite title contender.
"He'll have an impract at meets, but his impact for us will be at practices,'' Sandstrom said. "His leadership is really good and he's come in and been a part of the team and developed good chemistry with his teammates.''
Senior Alex Sherer will compete for Hayden's tennis team during the regular season as a co-op player before competing for Rossville in the Class 3A-1A postseason. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Hayden is scheduled to open the 2021 season at Kossover Tennis Center on Saturday, facing Washburn Rural, Topeka High and Junction City in a quadrangular.
Other city teams at a glance:
Highland Park -- No information has been received. If team info is received it will be added to the TopSports.news website.
Seaman -- The Vikings had a late coaching change and will be guided this spring by Jamie Robinson. Seaman is slated to open its season on March 30 in Washburn Rural's Too Big Invitational at Kossover.
Shawnee Heights -- Riley Propps will coach the T-Birds, who will compete in the United Kansas Conference while still taking part in the Topeka city meet on April. 29. Shawnee Heights is scheduled to open the season on March 30 at Emporia.
Topeka High -- Veteran Topeka High coach Duane Pomeroy returns just two players, senior Jeff Moore and junior Kaiden Briscoe, who took part in the 2019 city junior varsity meet.
Top newcomers include seniors Elian Figueroa, Jonathan Figueroa, Isiah Huckins, Nathan McConico and Nathaniel Routsong, junior Walter Evans and freshman Tate Hodges.
"Since we did not get to play last year, we lost players from the class of 2019 and 2020,'' Pomeroy said. "None of our players have varsity experience. However, the entire team has been working very hard in practice. They will improve as the season progresses and we hope to surprise some opponents.''
Topeka West -- Topeka West will build this year's team around seniors Justin Brookens and Dylan Collette, junior Gavin Chavez and sophomores Carter Cool, Ian Cusick and Miles Cusick.
Top newcomers include junior Brandon Hunninghake and freshmen James Maag, Caden McGee and Joel Flores.
“The Chargers have a very young and experienced squad, especially after not getting to play in 2020,'' West coach Kurt Davids said. "However, the youth movement is strong with this group, and the Chargers are looking forward to getting on the court soon and finding out where we stand. We look to the experience of seniors Brookens and Collette as well as junior Chavez to lead us in practice and at meets.''
Washburn Rural -- Rural coach Kevin Hedberg will look to seniors Aryamann Zutshi and Nico Navarro, juniors Nick Luetje, Jiyoon Park and Jack Kramer and sophomores Mason Casebeer and Zach Willingham to set the tone for the Junior Blues this spring.
Top newcomers include junior Kyler Knudtson and sophomores Kiefer Von Lintel, Drew Newberry and Jal Maru and freshmen Anshuman Zutshi, Lawson Lobatos-Dick and Dylan Dodge.
"We're excited to get out there,'' Hedberg said. "Lots to figure out. Our goal is to get everybody some experience.''
Rural will open its season on Saturday in a quadrangular with Hayden, Topeka High and Junction City at Kossover.
