News
Carmel Edges North Central for Fourth Straight Boys Tennis Title
Top-ranked Carmel won both doubles matches and picked up the championship-clinching third point from its defending singles state champion Presley Thieneman.
Thieneman came through with a 6-0, 7-5 victory at No. 1 singles over North Central's Ian Brady that clinched a 3-2 victory for Carmel's fourth consecutive state championship and 12th overall. Thieneman will defend his singles state title in next week's individual tournament.
It was the sixth time in 10 years the two schools had met in the state championship match with Carmel winning five of those matchups with the two schools also combining for the last 10 titles. Bryan Hanan has been the Greyhounds coach the last two seasons.
In doubles, Carmel's Uday Lomada and Jones McNamar defeated Max Simmel and Richard Smikle, 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1 and Greyhounds Broc Fletcher and John Zirkelbach were victorious over Carter Bailey and Daniel Ceglio, 6-0, 6-1 at No. 2.
The Panthers' Ajay Mahenthiran took a 6-3, 6-3 decision over Ethan Zhang at No. 2 singles and Maurquis Willingham was a three-set winner over Eli Mercer, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, at No. 3 singles.
Carmel (24-0), making its record 10th consecutive appearance in the state finals, defeated Evansville Reitz in Friday's quarterfinal match and Columbus North in Saturday's semifinals, both by 4-1 scores.
North Central (19-4), making its ninth straight trip to state and coached by Dan Brunette, edged Zionsville 3-2 in the quarterfinals and Terre Haute South 3-2 in the semifinals.
North Central's Carter Bailey Receives Mental Attitude Award
Following the event, the IHSAA Executive Committee presented the mental attitude award to North Central's No. 2 doubles player Carter Bailey.
The award is presented annually to a senior, nominated by his principal and coach, and best demonstrates mental attitude, scholarship, leadership and athletic ability during their four years of high school.
Bailey, the son of Monte and Toni Bailey of Carmel, is undecided on his college choice and area of study at this time.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance presented a $1,000 scholarship to the general scholarship fund at North Central High School in the name of Bailey.