The Westonka boys tennis team, along with two individual players, senior Jack Linder and freshman Carter Reinbold, competed in the 1A State Tennis Tournament June 8-11. Matches were played outdoors for the first time since 1998 at St. Cloud Tech High School.

The quarterfinals of the team competition had the White Hawks matched up against Thief River Falls. The boys put in a strong performance, beating the Prowlers 5-2. The following morning in the semifinal round, Westonka took on Mounds Park Academy with more strong play and a 5-0 victory, with two matches retired when the White Hawks secured the win.

The temperature was in the upper 90s when the White Hawks took to the court at noon for the finals against Breck. The Mustangs proved too tough to handle, defeating the team 1-6, with the seniors doubles team of Harry Moen and Alex Brown posting the sole win. The White Hawks’ second-place finish was the best in team history.

The next day in individual play, Linder, seeded No. 3, and Reinbold took to the courts. The heat was stifling and in the upper 90s once again, but the boys played tough, with Linder winning the first round 6-2, 6-0, and Reinbold losing in a close match to the No. 5 seed, 4-6, 4-6.

Linder moved on to the second round and defeated his opponent 6-0, 7-5, earning him a trip to the semis the next day, where he faced the No. 2 seed, a serve and volley specialist from Rochester Lourdes. Linder continued his strong tournament play with a 6-3, 6-1 victory and earned a spot in the finals against the No. 1 seed from Breck. He put forth great effort but ended up short, 1-6, 2-6, earning a second-place finish and another best result at MWHS.

Coach Rob Paul said, “What a great way for our seniors, especially Jack Linder, to end their high school tennis careers! I couldn’t be more proud of those boys in particular and the entire team for all they accomplished this season!”