East Troy falls to Edgewood, 7-0
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Before his team traveled to Madison on Saturday the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 State Boys Team Tennis Tournament, East Troy coach Dave Lindow knew the challenge that faced his squad.
But then again, any time you advance this far, it’s not going to be easy.
And that certainly was the case, as the Trojans faced perennial power Madison Edgewood in a semifinal match at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium – and saw their historic season finally come to a close.
East Troy, playing in its first-ever state team tournament, fell 7-0 to Edgewood, the defending state champion that was making its 14th straight appearance in Madison.
Despite the loss, nothing was going to take away from the memorable journey, East Troy coach Dave Lindow said.
“The state experience was incredible for our kids,” he said. “We knew what we were up against (playing Edgewood). The kids performed very well. It’s tough to win games against the top-level kids.
“They don’t give you points, you have to win them. To win four in one game is hard to do. … It was great to play in a state tournament as a team, great for our kids and great for our program.”
East Troy finished the season at 13-4. Edgewood lost 6-1 in the finals later Saturday to Racine Prairie to close the year at 13-6.
Falling in singles matches were senior Brody Woodson at No. 1, 0-6, 0-6 to senior Cecil Lingard; senior Vince Baxter at No. 2, 4-6, 0-6 to junior Hunter Dunn; junior Nick Bourdo at No. 3, 0-6, 0-6 to Christopher Boll; and senior Jared Paullin at No. 4, 2-6, 1-6 to senior Nathan Weaver.
In doubles, the Trojans met a similar fate.
At No. 1, juniors Joe Moede and Jered Brehm fell 4-6, 2-6 to junior Forrest Lynn and senior Charlie Weitz; seniors Jordan Paulliand C.J. D’Amico fell 1-6, 1-6 to senior Bryce Kessel and junior Kurtis Thelen; and sophomores Logan Fitch and Josh Moede fell 0-6, (score not listed) to sophomore Hunter Stracka and senior Peter Sviatoslavsky.
The senior class definitley left its mark on the program, Lindow said.
“We lose seven seniors, and this class was loaded with talent,” he said. “Brody and Vince were the backbone of this team for a few years now and will be greatly missed. Both were two-time state qualifiers and led this team to the state tournament.
“The Paullin brothers were a huge part of our success. Both did whatever was asked of them and were the ultimate team players. Josh Moede, Larry Mitchell and Thomas Scurek round out the senior class. These kids played wherever was needed.”
Looking ahead, Lindow said the leadership role will fall on his three juniors – Bourdo, Jered Brehm and Moede – who will be joined by Fitch and D’Amico to form a solid foundation.
“These guys will have to step up and lead us,” he said. “There’s no rest for our programs, as we start the summer tennis clinic (this week). It would be nice to recharge the battery, but a lot of our success is because is because of our summer clinics.”
