This wasn’t the Class 4A Region 8 tournament the Durango Demons expected.
The goal, however, was reached: a trip to the CHSAA Class 4A Boys Tennis State Championships on Oct. 9-11 at Pueblo City Park.
That bid, the Demons’ only state bid, belongs to No. 3 singles player Alijah Konikowski, who lost the regional championship match 6-1, 6-0 to Steamboat Springs on Friday at Canyon View Park in Grand Junction. He finished second, and the top two positions earn spots at state.
“He might have been overmatched by Steamboat (on Friday), but, certainly, he’ll be rearing to go next week in Pueblo,” Durango High School boys tennis head coach Dave Weisfeldt said.
No. 1 singles player Fred Edwards beat Vail Mountain 6-3, 6-1 to win the the consolation championship, then lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to Aspen in his play-back match for a state bid.
Edwards and No. 3 singles player Drew Downs, who battled a blister, illness and Hotchkiss to win a consolation championship 2-6, 6-2, 6-4, both finished third at regionals.
Durango’s 1- and 2-doubles did not play Friday, while its 3-doubles (Blaise Page and Riley Wanzek) and 4-doubles (Jake Beekman and Amon Ledger-Swanson) both lost to Vail Mountain to finish fourth.
As a team, Durango finished third in regionals, behind champion Aspen and runner-up Steamboat Springs.
“We are thrilled with that,” Weisfeldt said. “It’s great to finish ahead of Vail.”
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