ST. GEORGE – Boys’ tennis teams from 23 high schools across Utah, including Region 9, swarmed local courts on Friday and Saturday to compete for the 3A State title.
For the first time in over five years, State was held at the Green Valley Spa and Tonaquint Tennis Center in St. George, rather than its usual home courts at Brigham Young University. The change from Provo to Southern Utah was welcomed by some — especially Region 9 teams — and met with skepticism from others.
Natalie Meyer, a Utah High School Activities Association official and the tournament director, said that the main reason for the relocation was weather. Rain has delayed play at State the last two years, causing confusion and hassle for players, coaches and officials.
Concern of a repeat grew when clouds gathered Friday morning and a slight wind kicked up, especially at Green Valley. But the rain held off throughout the entire tournament, and the hard-hitting youth seemed to be unfazed by the breeze.
“The wind didn’t affect my play, aside from a couple of balls that went wild,” Juan Diego 3rd singles player Brenton Reyner said after winning his first round match 6-0, 6-0. “The weather is nice today.”
“Nobody complained,” Meyer said. “The kids played great.”
There is a possibility that State will be held in Southern Utah again next year, or in 2015. An alternating schedule is being considered by the UHSAA, in which State would be held at BYU one year and in Southern Utah the next, and so forth. Meyer said no exact plan has been determined yet, but coaches and players have already formed their opinions.
“I’d like (State) to be held up north in the future, quite frankly because it’s a long drive for us,” Juan Diego Coach Kevin Kempin said. “But I suppose State last year was a long drive for the players from St. George.”
“I like State being here as long as it’s not 100 degrees,” Reyner said.
The weekend was filled with intensely competitive matches between the best high school players in Utah. Singles were played at Green Valley and doubles at Tonaquint. The bustle of checking in teams, recording scores and scheduling matches was handled by UHSAA officials and each venue’s staff.
Friends and family gathered on bleachers, folding chairs and on blankets in the grass to cheer on their favorite players. The crowd came alive during thrilling points. Some emerged victorious; others were left crying in the parking lot after defeat.
The tournament concluded early Saturday afternoon when the title was claimed by Juan Diego, led by brothers Brendan Kempin and Ryan Kempin, who charged to the win in 1st and 2nd singles, respectively.
Desert Hills’s 1st and 2nd doubles teams each won an individual title to boost their school to second place, the best finish of any in Region 9. Snow Canyon and Dixie took third and fourth, Cedar City and Hurricane tied for 12th, and neither Canyon View nor Pine View qualified.
It has now been two years since a Region 9 school has won State, and reactions from coaches and players ranged from disappointment at falling short to being satisfied with their best effort.
“We faced two tough competitors and lost in the second round,” Snow Canyon 1st doubles player Devin Radmall said. “We came in hitting hard and went out swinging. I think we did the best we could.”
“The boys just went out and did what they needed to do, all of them,” Meyer said. “We had some really great matches.”
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Results
1st Singles
Champion: Brendan Kempin – Juan Diego
Runner-up: Tevan Balian – Dixie
2nd Singles
Champion: Ryan Kempin – Juan Diego
Runner-up: Micah Alba – Dixie
3rd Singles
Champion: Brenton Reyner – Juan Diego
Runner-up: Logan Wrigley – Snow Canyon
1st Doubles
Champion: Mason Ford/Christian Davis – Desert Hills
Runner-up: Brandon Reemsnyder/Luke Ropner – Judge Memorial
2nd Doubles
Champion: Preston Parmenter/Ryan McGinnis – Desert Hills
Runner-up: Nate Utley/Hunter McArthur – Snow Canyon
State Champion: Juan Diego
Related posts
2013 coverage
Boys’ tennis: Snow Canyon wins Region, Dixie and Desert Hills sweep qualifying seeds for State
Boys’ tennis: Season matches end, teams ready for Region and State
Boys’ tennis season starts, Region 9 teams bring their best
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