Mexico boys tennis hoping to take advantage of historic year

Mexico boys tennis had a program first last season.

Brendan McKeown became the program’s first ever state medalist by finishing seventh last year at the Class 1 meet and hopes to be the first multiple-time medalist with his senior year coming up. The Bulldogs feel they can do even better than a season ago.

Head coach Tony Senor said it was a good season that included a third-place conference finish, a district runner-up performance and a 6-11 record after going through a tough schedule. Senor believes Mexico can compete for a conference and district title this season and send at least someone else with McKeown to state this year.

“We are a very young team but we are led by very strong experience from our seniors Brendan McKeown and Trevor Wright. Brendan will also shine when it comes time for districts and the possibility to qualify and medal again at state.”

McKeown and Wright are among the eight returners for the Bulldogs this season including all-conference player Boston Davolt, who Senor thinks can “do big things” in singles and doubles. Brixton Goerne, Carter Blackburn and David Schweim bring previous varsity experience to the team, and Jonathan St. Martin and Skylar Shaw are going into their second year looking for growth.

Mexico also has five new players on its roster.

Missouri Military Academy tennis wants to pick up where it left off

Missouri Military Academy tennis has made postseason runs a habit.

The three-time reigning district champions sent three more to the state tournament a year ago, including returning player Samuel Way in doubles and want to accomplish all of that and more this season.

“All but one of my varsity players are district champions in team play and half of them have been state qualifiers individually in the last few years,” head coach Brad Smith said. “Our goal is to win districts again in class 2 this year and qualify as many cadets as possible to the individual state tournament. Our goal is to play aggressive, consistent, and competitive tennis with every school we compete against this year.”

Smith pointed out that the move up to Class 2, due to earning so many points from postseason play, didn’t faze MMA as it continued to rack up postseason accomplishments. He is confident that will be the case this season as the Colonels have past state experience with Nathan Dempsey and Jose Anguiano.

Dempsey and Way also earned the distinction of breaking the school career wins record along with graduated state qualifier Gorka Yarte. Way is currently in front at 64 wins, but Dempsey is at his heels with 63 wins.