By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
McPHERSON, Kan. – The semiannual Doug Gayer Classic was held at McPherson High School on Saturday, as the Bullpup Tennis Team hosted a number of strong teams, one being the defending 4A State Champion Independence, who would take first in the tournament, while the Pups would finish 5th.
The Pups were led by the doubles pair of Kayden McVicker and Alex Berger, who would take fourth going 2-2 on the day, opening with a win over Buhler. “We are heading in the right direction,” said Head Coach Tyler Brown, after they claimed their first win against the Crusader duo this season.
Bryson Archer suffered a close loss in the opening match, but bounced back to win his next three matches, where he finished 9th. Ethan Elder won his first round match, but fell in his next three, and finished 8th
The Pups were able to field an extra doubles team in addition to Viggo McHenry and Hunter Mendez, Owen Neighbors and Charlie Krug had pretty similar days with going 3-2 and 2-3. Coach Brown noted, “If we can find a way to win a few more matches like our 1 doubles team did today, then as a team we will start to threaten some of these other teams that are within our reach.”
Brown knows that it won’t get any easier, especially with a quick turnaround, they begin action at 10am Monday, for the AVCTL Div. III/IV tournament in Wichita.
Below are the team and individual results from Saturday’s Doug Gayer Classic in McPherson:
Independence 53
Buhler 45
Manhattan 40
Maize 37
McPherson 34
Wichita Classical 33
Hutchinson 13
Circle 11
Salina Central 3
Extra 1
Individual Results:
Ethan Elder 1-3 8th
Bryson Archer 3-1 9th
Kaydan McVicker / Alex Berger 2-2 4th
Viggo McHenry / Hunter Mendez 3-2 11th
EX; Owen Neighbors / Charlie Krug 2-3 15th