Out of the more than 100 tennis matches he’s played, Brendan McKeown hasn’t played much better than he did two weeks ago.

On May 17-18, the Mexico senior competed in his second straight Class 1 individual singles tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield. McKeown won two out of five matches over the two days, including two out of three on the first day to secure an eighth-place finish and his second straight state medal.

“He played some of the best tennis I have ever seen him play in his career and that is saying a lot considering Brendan has played over 100 Individual matches in his career,” head coach Tony Senor said. 

Senor said McKeown had a more favorable draw this year since McKeown was returning as a state medalist this year so he wouldn’t be facing any fellow returning state medalist from the start. On top of that, he said McKeown was less nervous as he defeated Arcadia Valley’s Wren Blount 6-1, 6-2. 

While enjoying the favorable weather that allowed all of the tournament to be played outside, McKeown lost his second match 6-1, 6-3 to eventual third-place medalist Benton’s Ridge Stagner. Senor said the second set was much more competitive as McKeown played many games to deuce, but McKeown had to win one match if he wanted to be all-state again.

McKeown’s final matchup of the day against New Covenant Academy’s Jackson O’Dell contained two tiebreakers. After being down early in the first set, McKeown won it 7-5 before losing the second set 6-3 and winning the 10-point tiebreaker in the third set 10-8 after trailing 6-4.

“O'Dell was a very talented player with many tools to use on Brendan,” Senor said. “He would attempt a lot of short underhand serves, slices, and lobs. Brendan also made one of the most fantastic winners I have seen as a head coach at 8-8 (in the third-set tiebreaker). It took about two and a half hours to complete the match. Brendan was physically and mentally exhausted.”

On the day McKeown missed his high school graduation ceremony, he secured a state medal. He lost out on a higher podium placing the next day in losses to Justin Janasz, of St. Pius X (Kansas City), and Camryn McBride, of Lafayette County. Senor said McKeown fought in his final career match against McBride as he tried to force a second-set tiebreaker, dropping the set 6-4.

McKeown finishes his career with a 77-23 singles record and an overall record of 114-45. He was a four-time all-district player and a district champion in 2023, and was a four-time all-conference player and a conference champion in 2023 and 2024. Along with being twice all-state for his play, McKeown was also named academic all-state twice.

“Brendan will be missed and his impact will be remembered in Mexico tennis forever,” Senor said.