The continuation of the Cherry Creek High School supremacy in the 5A boy's tennis program shall not be stopped to win the 36th title in 38 years and ten straight. After a hard-fought three days of grueling tennis under the breeze of the Colorado fall at the Gates Tennis Center October 15-17, the champion of the 5A boys tennis program has been determined and Cherry Creek High School has once again claimed this prestigious title. This victory was not easy though, as on the final match under the setting sun, Regis Jesuit and Cherry Creek fought until the very end.
This championship was determined by one final match, with Regis and Creek virtually tied in the state tournament, the number two doubles team, led by Ian Kelly and Phillip McNitt of Cherry Creek and Luke Kiniry and Dominic D'Costa of Regis played out a grueling yet beautiful match. In the third and final set, with the two teams on serve and Regis leading by a narrow margin of 5-4, hundreds of people among the stands were nervously dancing on their feet, ready to witness a spectacle that will determine the champion. All the work, sweat, and tears from this strenuous season shall show the skills and strength of the teams. It is all or nothing. Creek tied the score with their booming serve to tie the match at 5-5 apiece with no one willing to give up and be broken. However, miracles can happen.
With Regis serving to put themselves up once again, the two seniors from Cherry Creek stepped up big with full force as they are determined to retain their hold on the state champion trophy. With each point, the two inched closer to the break, finally, with one full strike, Cherry Creek broke Regis and took the lead as they try to use one final serving game to put the match into the history books for good. With Ian Kelly's powerful serve filled with precision and Phil McNitt dominating the net, Cherry Creek salvaged their season with the final three points. As the match became final, the boys of Cherry Creek celebrated with full tenacity and joy as they, at last, can breath the fresh Colorado air knowing they are once again champions of Colorado Tennis as they edged out Regis 71-67.
On the individual side, Casey MacMaster of Rocky Mountain High School, ranked as high as 21 in the country, defeated Clinkenbeard of Loveland High School to become the first repeat in 5A tennis since 2003. Other winners of the day includes Regis freshman Matt Sayre at #2 singles, Mark Miller and Alex Gnaegy of Regis at #1 doubles, Ian Kelly and Philip McNitt of Creek at #2 doubles, Dylan Gust and Matt Colapinto of Regis at #3 doubles, and Spencer Anderson and Keith Podgorski of Creek at #4 doubles.