The Corvallis boys tennis team claimed their third state championship in a row on Friday in Great Falls. They topped Stevensville to take the championship. Riding on the coattails of Bridger Walczynski and D.J. Pekoc, the Blue Devils made adjustments for the weather and wind to take the championship.
Walczynski, who is only a junior, claimed his third doubles championship, each time with a different partner. He and Pekoc said the weather was tough but they just moved their game to the net when the wind and weather are bad. Walczynski said they were expecting a battle from Columbia Falls but the entire team went into the tournament with the mindset of ‘we’re going to win every match’. Walczynski and Pekoc defeated Cole Noctor and Derek Ralph of Butte Central, 6-2, 6-4, for the championship. They defeated Garin McGrann and Josh Meier of Stevensville in the semi finals, 6-1, 6-0.
Stevensville’s James Enzler fell to Dillon Meyer of Billings Central, 6-2, 6-3, in the singles championship.
Mary Conwell of Hamilton lost out on her bid to repeat as state champion. She lost to Morgan Opp of Glendive, 6-1, 6-2. Conwell defeated Dylan Balanda of Livingston, 6-3, 6-2, in the semi finals.
The doubles team of Erica Huppert and Meg MacLean of Hamilton won the doubles championship. They defeated Mollybeth Hendrix and Kenzie Clay of Polson, 6-4, 6-1, for the title. They defeated Audra Engebretson and Karmen Borchers of Polson in the semi finals.
CORRECTION: The final score in the boys doubles championship was 6-1, 6-2.