Being a four-time state qualifier in tennis is a feat that requires talent, hard work and determination.
Making it to state four times at No. 1 singles? That's rarified air.
Yet, that is exactly where
Chatfield (Littleton) senior
Christian Holmes finds himself starting Thursday in the Class 5A state tournament. The defending champion at No. 1 singles joins 15 other individuals at the position headed into the first round of play at Gates Tennis Center in Denver.
"It is rare. It just shows a lot of work ethic," Chatfield coach Devin Van Treeck said. "His family plays a lot of tennis and that really helped. Even before he became part of the team, I heard people say, ‘Hey, you're going to have Christian in a year or two.'
"The whole Holmes family, they're great together. Him having those older brother to work with, that's one of the big legs-up he's had."
The first two rounds will be played Thursday at Gates, with the semifinals slated for Friday morning. The championship finals will take place Saturday morning.
Holmes defeated Fairview's Tom Melville 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 in the 2017 title match after losing in the second round his first two years.
"Winning state again has been the goal in his mind since he won the last won," Van Treeck said. "He told me right away that was his new goal."
Holmes sustained a torn meniscus in his knee before the start of the season. He avoided surgery and with physical therapy was able to return to the court in advance of the 5A Region 4 tournament. Holmes finished first there with a victory over
George Cavo of
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) in the final.
"He started hitting with some of the top players again the last couple of weeks," Van Treeck said. "He's been taking it slow, but he's feeling pretty good.He's getting to where he looked before the season started."
Chatfield also qualified its Nos. 3 and 4 doubles teams.
Valor is one of the state's more interesting stories. The Eagles are playing in 5A for the first time, and are coming off a Jeffco League championship and the program's first regional championship despite graduating six players.
"It was very exciting for the boys. We have a pretty young team," Valor coach Bill Epping said. "To be able to host, first of all, was an honor for the boys and they enjoyed it."
"He would probably say as a freshman he was disappointed he didn't make the singles lineup, but looking back it was probably the best thing for him," Epping said. "Playing doubles last year with a senior also gave him some confidence. He changed his game some over the course of the year because of his confidence."
The Eagles have only three seniors this fall, and six players will make their state debut Thursday.
"We haven't been to Gates yet, but for the kids who are returning I think it will be a similar experience," Epping said. "(Class) 4A tennis is extremely tough at the top. In fact, all three of our losses came to 4A schools."
Other than Holmes, defending state champions in the field include Regis Jesuit's No. 1 doubles tandem of
Emilio Gonzalez-Cruz and
Evan Nuss, who won at No. 2 doubles a year ago. Cherry Creek's
Nick Svichar is in the No. 2 singles field after winning at No. 3 doubles as a sophomore.
Class 4AThe
Kent Denver (Englewood) state lineup mighjt look a little different this fall, but the Sun Devils are still bringing plenty of championship experience to Pueblo City Park.
The five-time defending state champions will have four reigning champions going in the first round Thursday. Senior
Sam Nassif, who won at No. 3 singles as a junior, moves to No. 1 singles. No. 2 singles is manned by senior
Oliver Greenwald (who won at No. 1 doubles) and the third spot goes to junior
Trent Beckman (who won at No. 4 doubles).
Junior
Chris Tsai is at No. 1 doubles after teaming with Beckman to win No. 4 doubles in 2017.
seniors
Emmett Ela and
Zachary Brinker won at No. 3 doubles last fall. Ela moves to No. 1 doubles, and Brinker is at No. 3 doubles.
Nassif also won a state title at No. 1 doubles as a sophomore. Greenwald was a champion at No. 2 doubles in 2016.
The No. 1 singles bracket also includes a four-time state qualifier at the position in
Discovery Canyon (Colorado Springs) senior
Nick Lorenz, who made the finals as a freshman. Colorado Academy senior
Richter Jordaan is also a four-time state qualifier, with Jordan making the No. 2 singles final as a freshman before qualifying in No. 1 singles three years in a row.
