Boys tennis: Jacobs has a shot at Top Ten state finish
During their four years at Jacobs, the trio of Kailash Panchapakesan, Riley Rowan and Kendrick Chong have turned the Golden Eagles into a tennis super power in the Fox Valley Conference and around the area, capturing four consecutive sectional titles and enough hardware to push the school's trophy case to brim.
With one day to go at the 81st boys state tournament, the Golden Eagles are in a position to finish in the Top Ten when the tournament comes to an end.
The senior Panchapakesan (33-8) is the lone player from Jacobs still alive after his sixth-round victory over talented Naperville Central sophomore Ryan Roegner but any points the four-time state qualifier can earn will help the club stay ahead of Lyons Township, which trails Jacobs heading into Saturday, 16-15 for tenth place.
"This has been an amazing team to be around, "said Rowan, while watching his teammate Panchapakesan in between sets on another humid day of tennis at the Wheeling High School venue.
"It's been so much fun to be a part of a program which grew into one of the best in our area, and to have a great coaching staff that has brought all of us together, as have both Kailash and Kendrick, who welcomed me right away and made me feel like one of the guys even though I've been home schooled the past four years."
Rowan, who will play at Judson University next fall, won over 110 matches during his career while earning three trips to the state tournament as well.
"The only part that's been tough to deal with is always finishing behind Kailash," said the four-year veteran with a wry smile.
The aforementioned Chong continued the words of praise for his teammates plus head coach Jon Betts while taking a moment to say a word about his younger brother, Kerwin, who was one-half of a doubles team that finished with a brilliant 40-4 record this past season, which included three wins at state.
"I was really lucky to have Kerwin as my partner, and for us to finish (top 32) in my final year at Jacobs," said Chong, who was a four-time state qualifier as well and will attend UIC next fall.
"It's hard to believe this is it for high school tennis for me but to improve with each year while here and to be part of so much success with coach Betts is the real highlight of my career."
Panchapakesan will meet two-time ESCC champ Jack Geissler of Joliet Catholic Saturday morning at Wheeling and, with a win, will get one step closer to a state medal come Saturday afternoon when the state crowns singles and doubles champions, along with third, and fifth place medalists.
Streamwood junior Christopher Veltkamp would reach his goal of playing into the second day of the tournament after his 2-2 record a year ago.
The Sabres' star lost to Panchapakesan, 6-2, 6-4 early Friday morning yet despite being eliminated Veltkamp (27-3) would earn plenty of high praise from his coach Pat Hanley.
"Last year I had Chris in chemistry class, and I can tell you not only is he a terrific tennis player he's also a great student and fine young man and I'm very happy that he bettered his record here this time around," said Hanley.
Veltkamp was superb this spring, winning both the Boylan and Saxon Invite crowns as well as the Upstate Eight River Division title to go along with his sectional championship last weekend at St. Charles East.
"Chris had a bum shoulder the last couple of weeks, but he didn't let it bother him, and was very competitive during his two days here, and all of us are very proud of him," Hanley would add.
In the team race, it's New Trier atop the leader board with 35 points, 9 more than second place Hinsdale Central, with Deerfield (26) in third.