LAKELAND — For George Jenkins senior Nico Kumria, the county tournament is a prelude to the bigger matches that begin in just over a week, beginning with the district tournament. That’s why winning was important, and he did so in straight sets.
Kumria regained the title at No. 1 singles by defeated Winter Haven’s Wiley Simpson, 6-1, 6-3, on Thursday afternoon in the overall final of the Polk County Tennis Tournament at the Beerman Family Tennis Center.
“It was important,” Kumria said. “I just felt like it's such a big momentum for the end of the season. I just think it's so important to pick up and get ready for districts and regionals and all that.”
Kumria was playing Simpson instead of defending champion Ben Saltman. Simpson was the East champion at No. 1 singles as he played in the spot in place of Saltman, who missed the tournament while recovering from the flu.
This is Simpson’s first year at Winter Haven after transferring from Geneva Classical. Last year, Simpson lost to Kumria in the West finals at No. 1 singles.
Kumria could still meet Saltman two more time like last season when they met twice after the county tournament. They are expected to meet in the district finals, which will be held at the Winter Haven City Courts. With George Jenkins and Winter Haven expected to advance out of districts, the could meet in the regional tournament like last season.
George Jenkins, which went undefeated in the regular season, is the defending district champion and beat Winter Haven at regionals to advance to the state tournament. It’s these team goals that are important to Kumria.
“It's like just focusing on like this year going one round further and just building off what we did last year, continuing our undefeated regular season and just like building off of that,” Kumria said.
Despite not playing Saltman, Kumria felt that Simpson gave him a good match.
“They play similarly so they're both very consistent, and that's what I was just preparing for against Ben,” said Kumria, who will play college tennis at Southeastern. “It's definitely different.I kind of just wanted to focus on playing my like my game and not playing off of his game, so that's a big part of it too.”
Kumria also won at No.1 doubles with Dylan ...
