Grand Forks Central wins NDHSAA Boys Tennis Team Dual State Title

By Tom Mix
NDHSAA Media Specialist

GRAND FORKS – When Grand Forks Central and Grand Forks Red River meet on a tennis court in October it’s a safe bet the stakes are high.

Thursday (October 12) the Knights and Roughriders met in the championship match of the 2023 NDHSAA Boys Tennis Team Dual State Tournament at Choice Health & Fitness in Grand Forks. After two hours of quality play up and down the dual sheet, it was Central who scored the 3-2 victory over previously undefeated Red River.

The Knights’ victory snapped a 31-dual match winning streak for the Roughriders that dated back to the start of the 2022 season. The team dual state title is Central’s 12th in program history. The Knights also won team duals in 1964, 1965, 1969, 1976, 1979, 1987, 1997, 1975 (Tie), 2018, 2020 and 2021.

Thursday’s team dual championship match came down to the No. 1 doubles matchup. Central’s Jason Ling and Hanson Du defeated the Red River duo of Espen Schneider and Kyedahl Hultberg 6-4, 7-5, which evoked plenty of cheer from the Knights’ bench and the gallery of fans watching on the mezzanine.

The Knights’ other victories in the dual came at No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Evan Panzer defeated Asher Green 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. Cole Wilber edged Jadon Tang 7-6 (3), 6-1 at No. 2 doubles.

Red River got victories at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles. Julian Mallory defeated Brady Fee 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. The Red River duo of Kellen Johnson and Rylan Bydal defeated Central’s Gunner Spicer and Rylan Spicer 6-2, 6-7 (4), 6-4 at No. 2 doubles.

Central opened Thursday play defeating Bismarck Legacy 5-0 in the quarterfinals and followed up with a 4-1 win over Minot High in the semifinals.

The Knights finish the season with a 14-2 record. Red River finished the 2023 season with a 15-1 mark.

Grand Forks Central junior Cole Wilber defeated teammate Evan Panzer 6-3, 6-3 in the Individual Singles state title match on Saturday.

The West Fargo Sheyenne duo of Mason Christensen and Momin Durrani defeated Minot High's Grayson Schaeffer and Aidan Diehl 7-5, 6-2 in the Individual Doubles state title match on Saturday.

2023 NDHSAA BOYS TENNIS TEAM DUAL STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKET (NDHSAA NOW)

2023 NDHSAA BOYS TENNIS TEAM DUAL STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKET (GOOGLE SHEETS)

2023 NDHSAA BOYS TENNIS INDIVIDUAL SINGLES & DOUBLES STATE TOURNAMENT BRACKETS

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