Cogan tripped up twice to end Batavia career
The brilliant 4-year career of Josh Cogan came to a sudden end Friday afternoon when the Batavia star singles player lost both of his matches and was eliminated from the state tournament in Palatine at Fremd High School.
The Washington University bound 4-time all-stater fell in straight sets to Gordon Zhang (Naperville North) in his round of 16 match, then later to Homewood-Flossmoor senior Brad Holt (28-2) to officially put an end to his season under longtime head coach Bob Kummer.
Cogan (32-2) entered his final state tournament as the 5-8 seed, while Zhang was anointed 9-16.
“Josh had been a great, great player for (me) and for the Batavia program, and he will leave behind several fantastic memories and records, including 130 career victories (20 losses),” said Kummer, who is retiring after the school year in his 43rd year of education.
“Josh just wasn’t (Josh) against Zhang this morning, and that match kind of reminded me of his loss last year in the round of 16 to Jared Hiltzik (New Trier) where he had a little run in him, but was never able to sustain (it) the rest of the match.”
“But regardless of today’s results, Josh has been a real joy to have around — never giving me a bit of trouble, and always a (team) first guy, who would encourage his teammates, and try to help all them either in practice or during matches. He will be sorely missed by all.”
The news around the area was much of the same as the No. 1 doubles team of Danny Oakes-Dom Amalraj (St. Charles North) saw its season end for good when it suffered its second loss of the tournament to Bloomington (Ricky Zamudio-Nathan Cavanaugh) in its second back-draw match of the day in Mt. Prospect.
The No. 5-8 seeded North team opened the day on a high note with a straight-set defeat of Edwardsville (6-1, 6-2) but was unable to keep the momentum going against a Bloomington team which would later upend Barrington to keep its hopes alive for a state medal Saturday.
Back-draw matches will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday at Buffalo Grove, with the semifinals of the championship bracket set to start at 9 at host Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.
“We gave it our best, and left everything we had out there, but it wasn’t enough against a very good Bloomington team,” said Oakes, who is off to Valparaiso next fall where he will continue playing.
Oakes, who has been to the tournament three consecutive years, with a different partner with each visit, says there are far too many highlights to name one over another — but nonetheless, was able to recount one that immediately comes to mind.
“John (Mittvick) and I went 6-2 last year (losing in the consolation quarters) and along the way, we beat the No. 2 seed (Lyons Township) in straight sets, and (that) was something both he and I were very proud and happy with,” said Oakes, who in his sophomore season was 4-2 with then partner, Parker Featherstone.
Oakes, and the junior Amalraj, a state qualifier last season, captured a sectional title at Naperville North to book its place in this, the 97th state tournament.
Jasper Koenen (St. Charles East) continues to shine in the back-draw, going 3-0 Friday afternoon at Wheeling High School, including an impressive three-set victory over 9-16 seed Jeremy Dixon (OPRF) to run his overall record to a dazzling 26-4.
The Marmion Academy doubles team of Chris Patterson-Jackson Rettig would bow out after its second loss of the tournament at the hands of Libertyville 6-3, 6-3.
Last season, Rettig went 2-2 at doubles with Will Graft.
In the team race, pre-tournament favorite Hinsdale Central began to distance themselves from reigning state champ New Trier as the second day of play came to an end.
The Red Devils stand 6 points ahead of the Trevians 40-34, and will have two in the semifinals, as will New Trier, who caught a bit of a break when Stevenson junior Jeremy Bush (23-5) stunned the No. 2 seed Sam Bloom in the quarterfinals in straight sets.
That after shock came later on when 1-2 seed Highland Park (Zacko Brint-Danny Wynbrandt) were upset by 9-16 seed Edwardsville (Justin Leskera-Cameron Randall) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
Top seed Jason Brown (Deerfield) remains alive after defeating the aforementioned Zhang in straight sets in his quarterfinal match, and will now face Hinsdale Central freshmen Martin Joyce Saturday morning in Arlington Heights.