Locals come up short in 4A tennis tourney

PUEBLO • Aidan Reid and Cheyenne Mountain suffered similar fates at the 4A state tennis tournament Saturday at City Park.

Reid, the Lewis-Palmer senior, was beaten 6-4, 6-4 by Broomfield senior Andrew Flora in the No. 1 singles final.

The Indians were victimized by rival Kent Denver in five championship matches as the Sun Devils claimed the team title 76-63.

Winning the championship at No. 3 doubles were Cheyenne Mountain sophomores Vincent Chow and Abe Yellen, who cruised past Colorado Academy 6-3, 6-2.

“It was fun playing out here and I’m glad I got to be a part of it,” said Reid, a native of Australia. “That’s the best I’ve seen (Flora) play, so credit to him.

He didn’t attack that much and he made me feel like I needed to take risks.”

Rangers coach Paul Kardel spoke with pride of Reid’s passion and integrity.

“It’s disappointing today,” Kardel said, “but it’s been wonderful to watch his talent.”

Cheyenne Mountain has much to look forward to with all 11 players returning.
 
The Indians, winners of 13 of the past 18 titles plus a shared crown with Kent Denver in 1999, have four juniors, two sophomores and five freshmen.
 
Kent Denver loses four seniors, including its No. 2 and 3 singles players.

“I’m pretty sure this is the youngest team we’ve ever had,” Indians coach Dave Adams said. “That’s good and bad. The experience they got here should help a lot. They won’t be so wide-eyed next year.”

Kent Denver won all three doubles matches in straight sets but Indians junior Matt Bowser, at No. 3 singles, and freshman Steven Moore, at No. 2 singles, took their matches to three sets. Moore lost 7-5 in a third-set tiebreaker to Matt Carroll.

“Steven was down 4-1 in the third set and fought back,” Adams said. “That was amazing. I’m proud of Matt, coming up from playing doubles last year and having to face J.J. (Shpall), who played No. 1 and No. 2 singles the last two years. And our three doubles played great.”

Moore was trying to duplicate the success of his brother Jon Moore, who won No. 2 singles last year. Jon Moore, now a junior, tied for fifth at No. 1 singles this weekend.

“Playing for Cheyenne Mountain means a lot to me,” Steven Moore said. “Everybody has watched the success my brothers (Jon and Daniel) have had here, so it was good to follow in their footsteps and do well.”

Junior Jon Moore, who tied for fifth at No. 1 singles, won No. 2 singles last year.

Earning second-place medals were the Indians’ No. 1 doubles team of freshman Billy Fielding and junior Parker Curry, the No. 2 duo of freshmen Andrew Venner and Cole Benson, and the No. 4 pairing of junior Brody Yardumian and freshman Matt Clancy.