Boys Tennis 2021, Class AA recap
Posted: Wednesday, June 9, 2021 - 4:06 PM
Edina, one of the most storied boys tennis programs in Minnesota high school history, reversed its only two losses of the season when it mattered most on Wednesday, June 9. The Hornets capped another championship season and necessitated more room in the school’s trophy case following a 4-0 victory over Wayzata in the Class AA title match at Prior Lake High School.
Because of extreme heat and humidity conditions, the match was concluded after the Hornets recorded the clinching fourth point with a 6-3, 6-4 victory by Humza Chaudri and Andy Aasen over Wayzata’s Jack Bomier and Arjun Prasad at No. 3 singles.
While it was the first team championship for Edina since 2009, it was the 18th overall since 1959. Also in that span, Edina East won four championships, including the first in the two-class era in 1979. Sandwiched in there is also a state championship for Edina West in 1980.
Also recording victories for Edina was Oskar Jansson at No. 2 singles, Nolan Ranger at No. 3 singles and Luke Westholder and Otto Schreiner at No. 1 doubles.
Edina’s losses were both 5-2 setbacks to Wayzata, three days apart on May 1 and May 4, respectively.
To advance to the championship match, the Hornets had to fend off Orono by a 4-3 margin in the semifinals. In the other semifinal, Wayzata zipped past Rochester Mayo, 6-1.
“I returned five (players), but I had to break in 10 new guys and get them in place and see if they could be a team,” Edina coach Gary Aasen told the Star Tribune. “They had never been together before. Normally, in a given year, you’re replacing two guys, three guys. At the beginning of the year, we had 10 guys. I didn’t even know their names. I had never seen them play a match because I didn’t get to see them last year.
“Those five core guys --- Matthew Fullerton Oskar Jansson, Nolan Ranger, Luke Westholder and Otto Schreiner --- they just practice so hard. They’ve had to really earn it. It’s been slow, there have been some bumps, but they stuck it out. . . . It was super special.”
