Mustangs still swinging in 4A consos
Some advancements, but Mullen hits the wall a bit.
After a promising opening round at the Class 4A boys tennis tournament at City Park in Pueblo on Thursday, Mullen enjoyed some advancements on Friday before hitting the wall a bit.
The Mustangs are down to four entries, all in consolation rounds, and are in sixth place with 12 points.
Colorado Academy (77) and Niwot (60) have commanding holds on the top two spots. Next are defending state champion Kent Denver (22), Cheyenne Mountain (17) and Discovery Canyon (16).
After Thursday was delayed and only one round was contested, Friday’s schedule was loaded to set up as many rounds as possible before Saturday’s finals to help beat the pending weather.
On Friday, at No. 3 singles, Mullen’s Tanner Amman got smoked 6-1, 6-0 in the quarterfinals, but returned the favor in playbacks, winning 6-0, 6-0. He will be attempting to play for third place.
The rest of the Mustangs still in contention are in doubles and each won in the quarterfinals before falling in the semifinals.
The J.P. Starkey-Dante Dino duo at No. 1 won in quarterfinals by 6-1, 6-2 before getting knocked out 6-1, 6-4 by Niwot. They also have two matches to win to nab third.
Mullen’s No. 2 grouping of Thomas Logan-Coleman Guthrie also won in quarterfinals before falling 7-5, 6-1 a round later, also to Niwot. They, too, will have to win two matches to grab third.
Ditto for Greg McMullan-Charlie Manta at No. 4, who were 6-0, 6-4 winners in the quarterfinals and 6-2, 6-3 losers in the semis. Their path to third also will require two consolation victories.
The top four teams have scored points at each of the three single spots and four doubles teams.
While multiple rounds will have to be played in consolations, the finals are set and loaded with team leaders. Colorado Academy is alive in all seven spots and will go head-to-head with Niwot two of three singles and three of four doubles.
The Mustangs could finish as high as third among teams.
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