Jacobs bows out at state with a good feeling
It's been a very good year for the Jacobs boys tennis team.
Another sectional championship, countless tournament championships, and nearly the entire team making a trip to the state tournament.
Friday afternoon, it all ended for Jon Betts' squad, but as the entire group stayed around tournament center one last time before heading home, each reflected on a memorable season and a bright future ahead, hopefully back at state next spring when four of the five Golden Eagles return for the 2015-2016 campaign.
"It was a tremendous year for the team, and all of us here," said junior, Kailash Panchapakesan (33-7), whose stay at state ended Friday morning after a loss to Barrington senior Ishaan Jaglan, 4-6, 6-3 (10-8).
"It feels great to be a part of a team like we have, and, for me, to get here three straight years is a good feeling (now) next year, I've got to make my last time here the best it can be."
The Golden Eagles' No. 1 won his second consecutive Fox Valley Conference title one week before winning a sectional crown, as did the doubles team of Kendrick and Kerwin Chong (35-3), who also earned an FVC title at No. 2 doubles.
"What makes this tournament appearance so special for me is to be here with my brother," said Kendrick Chong, who advanced this season for his third straight time, the first two coming at singles where he went a combined 3-4.
"We would have liked to maybe go a little further than we did this weekend, but it still was a great experience for me, and everyone else," added the sophomore Kerwin, who turned in a respectable 3-2 over the two days.
Matt Toomire and Riley Rowan (32-9), second at the FVC and sectionals, reeled off three straight victories on Thursday following their tournament opening loss to Naperville North, before being eliminated by Jackson Keating-Hayden Sass of Neuqua Valley.
"Making it here two straight years is something to be proud of, and winning three this year after just one last time was a nice accomplishment," said the lone senior of this group, Toomire, who will attend Bradley University in the fall.
Rowan agreed with his partner on their successful journey during the tournament, adding a top 48 finish is something to be most proud of.
"There's a lot of good doubles teams here, so to play into the second day says something about all of us," said the junior, who suggested he might move over to play singles next spring.
Jacobs stands 17th overall with (11) points, along with Oak Park-River Forest and Wheaton Warrenville South, with defending champion Hinsdale Central closing in on another title.
The Red Devils lead Lyons Township 40-34, with New Trier a distant third at 28 overall points.
All of the top seeds at singles survived another grueling day in the heat and humidity, but 2014 state runner-up Hinsdale Central (Lope Adelakun-Michael Czlonka) was upended by 5-8 seed, Belleville East (Chase Stumme-Jacob Hamilton), in three sets on Friday.