Mitchell Boys’ Tennis Team Finishes Fourth at ESD Tournament

The Mitchell High boys’ tennis team had to settle for a fourth-place finish, despite a strong start at the ESD tournament in Harrisburg Tuesday.

The Kernels finished with 180 points as a team, well behind Brandon Valley, who easily won with 275 points. Huron finished in second place with 201.5 points, Harrisburg’s 197 was third place, while Yankton was fifth place with 147 points.

Mitchell won five of six first round singles, but lost two doubles matches in the first round. Among the Kernels’ singles wins, Tyler Loecker defeated Pierre’s Blake Judson and Aberdeen Central’s Zach Gonsor 10-4 in each match, Aidan Patrick beat Huron’s Roger Puterbaugh 11-9 and Harrisburg’s Alex Rallis 10-4 in the semifinals, Luke Jerke won back-to-back matches 10-6 over Huron’s Lay Kpaw Wah and Watertown’s Evan Meester, while Macon Larson beat Aberdeen Central’s Gabe Goetz 8-1 in a third-place match.

Mitchell will next play at the Class A State Tournament in Sioux Falls Monday and Tuesday.