'Stangs show well against Niwot

 

It was a loss in a Class 4A dual meet, certainly a tough one, but the gauge of where they‘re at to date in 2020 is invaluable.

Indeed, Mullen’s Mustangs dropped a 4-3 decision to always good Niwot at home at Pinehurst Country Club on Wednesday. No matter. The won-loss numbers couldn’t compare to the bigger picture of effort, progress, fighting back and peeking toward the 4A postseason.

“Definitely pleased with how we played today,” Mustangs head coach Jacob Ohrman said. “The reason we schedule these top teams is so that we know what to expect in the future. Obviously, we would have loved to win, but 4-3 is a tough fight and, hopefully, we can do better.”

George Henry Hanzel earned Mullen’s lone singles victory, at No. 2, and the Mustangs’ No. 1 doubles team of Dante Dino and Greg McMullen, and No. 4 duo of Sean Phelps and Blake Zaragoza came away with victories.

Ohrman said Phelps-Zaragoza “had a couple of tough losses, but they really looked good and I’m super proud of them. And that’s the type of win they need to turn their season around … and (Dino-McMullan) had a huge win in three sets.”

Phelps-Zaragoza cruised, winning 6-0, 6-2, and Dino-McMullan rallied, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Hanzel, who has lost only once this season, breezed 6-4, 6-0 over the Cougars’ Sam Keronen.

“It went really well,” Hanzel said. “I’ve played that kid, like, forever, since I was 10. My forehand was really on.”

At No. 1 singles, Mullen’s Mac Caldwell had the demanding task of taking on Niwot’s Neil Wilcox, recognized as 4A’s top player and no worse than the second-best overall in the state. Wilcox won 6-2, 6-3, but Caldwell senses getting closer.

“It’s encouraging knowing I’m almost at that level,” he said, “so when (the) state (tournament) comes around, if I play my best I can definitely put up a fight against kids like that.”

Mullen resumes play Thursday (Sept.3) at home against Kent Denver, 3:45 p.m.

 

No. 1 singles – Neil Wilcox, Niwot, def. Mac Caldwell 6-2, 6-3.

No. 2 singles – George Henry Hanzel, Mullen, def. Sam Keronen 6-4, 6-0.

No. 3 singles – Luke Weber, Niwot, def. Jack Barker 7-5, 6-0.

No. 1 doubles – Dante Dino-Greg McMullan, Mullen, def. Ivan Calderon-Lichen Liao 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

No. 2 doubles – Alan Wilcox-Xavier May, Niwot, def. Luc Caldwell-Alex Evans 6-2, 6-4.

No. 3 doubles -- Maia Heather-Reeves Moor, Niwot, def. Patrick Duke-Colin Mackenzie 6-3, 6-3.

No. 4 doubles – Sean Phelps-Blake Zaragoza, Mullen, def. Ryan Gray-Raaghav Agaarwai 6-0, 6-2.