Apr. 1—Head coach: Ben Maes. Assistant: Maurice Westerhouse.
Last season: Century finished 9-9 and lost in the section semifinals to Lakeville North.
Top returners: Karthik Anand, Jr. (No. 1 singles); Rowan Johnson, Jr. (No. 2 singles); Owen McMaster, Sr. (No. 3 singles); Tim Schroeder, Jr. (No. 1 doubles).
Outlook: After a one year reprieve, Ben Maes is back as the Century boys tennis coach. The Panthers look strong in singles. With the addition of talented seventh-grader Thor Sviggum, Century has six players competing for singles spots. Junior Karthik Anand, a junior, is the team's No. 1 player. Anand is an aggressive baseline hitter and has an ability to make difficult shots. Rowen Johnson is penciled in at No. 2 singles and Owen McMaster at No. 3. Maes really likes this team. "You will find a team that wants to work hard, has great team chemistry and has a lot of potential," Maes said. "We can surprise a lot of teams this year. Last year was definitely a transition year but they worked really hard in the off-season."
Head coach: Josh Heiden. Assistants: John Scheuermann, Nathan Moos.
Last season: JM beat Owatonna for the first time in 20-plus years and advanced to the Section 1, Class 2A semifinals for the first time in that span.
Top returners: Arjun Kuharana, Jr.; Zach Moos, Jr.; Braden Duchateau, So.; Nate Nigbur, Sr.; Ben Hull, Sr.; Collin Daly, 8th grade; Zach Brue, Jr.; Brandon Tasson, So.
Season outlook: The Rockets are looking to land in the top four in the Big Nine Conference. They figure to have a shot at that with the versatility they have in sliding players between singles and doubles. Much will be needed at the top two doubles spots. "We always strive to be in the top four of the conference and this year is no different," JM coach Josh Heiden said. "We will look for leadership and stability from our top two singles players and depth from our returning varsity players. All of our guys are capable of playing singles or doubles and most will get the opportunity. We will need guys to step up at No. 1 and 2 doubles. Most importantly, this group of guys will have fun and get better throughout the season."
Head coach: Jeff Demaray. Assistants: Nick Uphoff, David Rider.
Last season: Mayo lost just twice all season, both times to Wayzata, including 5-2 in the state championship dual.
Top returners: Caleb Kennel, Jr. (singles); Noah Wisniewski, Sr. (singles); Max Rivera, Sr. (singles); David Teng, Sr. (No. 1 doubles); John Trygstad, So. (No. 1 doubles).
Season outlook: Things have taken on a very different shape with state-defending singles champion Tej Bhagra electing not to play high school tennis this season, but instead focus on higher level national tournaments. Bhagra is a junior and finished unbeaten last season for Mayo. Still, the Spartans have excellent depth and a couple of stong players at the top of their lineup in junior Caleb Kennel and senior Noah Wisniewski. Also, David Teng and John Trygstad give Mayo a couple of excellent No. 1 doubles players. "The team is still deep with many outstanding younger players coming up," Mayo coach Jeff Demaray said. "The team should still be top-five in the state and the favorite in Section One. Wayzata is the overwhelming favorite to repeat (as state champion)."
Head coach: Steve Tacl. Assistant coaches: Sydney Allison, Ben Kopecky.
Last season: Lourdes finished as the Section 1A runner-up to Winona Cotter, falling 4-3 in the title dual. Evan Ritter advanced to state in singles and finished third.
Top returners: Evan Ritter, Jr. (No. 1 singles); Andy Fink, Jr. (No. 3, No. 4 singles and No. 1 doubles); Joe Palen, Fr. (No. 2 singles, No. 1 doubles); Easton Ackley, Fr. (No. 3, No. 4 singles, No. 1 doubles); Max Orth, Sr. ...
