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Cedar Rapids Prairies’ Schulte brothers face-off for championship
In an all-Cedar Rapids Prairie final, senior Anthony Schulte and his younger brother, freshman Dylan Schulte, played for bragging rights not just within their own household, but across the entire state
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IOWA CITY – No matter the outcome, history was made.
In the 97-year annals of the Iowa boys’ tennis state championships, two brothers had never faced each other for the state singles championship.
Until Wednesday.
In an all-Cedar Rapids Prairie final, senior Anthony Schulte and his younger brother, freshman Dylan Schulte, played for bragging rights not just within their own household, but across the entire state.
“It really means a lot to me and this has always been a life goal,” Anthony Schulte said after outlasting Dylan, 7-5, 7-5 and winning the Class 2A state singles championship at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Complex. “Never thought I would actually do it, but I did.”
Cedar Rapids Prairie senior Anthony Schulte defeats his younger brother, Prairie freshman Dylan Schulte, 7-5, 7-5 for the Class 2A state singles championship. #iahstennis pic.twitter.com/b72OHCUn81
— Douglas Miles (@douglasmilesCRG) May 28, 2025
In order to reach the final, the Schulte brothers each had to tussle with determined opponents from Waukee Northwest in the morning semifinals. While Dylan made somewhat quick work of Kellan Croatt in a 6-3, 6-2 triumph, Anthony survived a grueling three-and-a-half hour battle with Jake Nelson, 6-7 (6), 6-3, 7-6 (6) in which each player withstood a match point to extend the semifinal.
“Lots of pickle juice and Pedialyte, that’s what got me through it,” said Anthony, who will play college tennis at Coe. “I was a little skeptical of how I would play in the finals.”
Cedar Rapids Prairie senior Anthony Schulte closes his prep tennis career with a state singles championship after winning the first finals matchup between two brothers in state history, 7-5, 7-5 over younger brother Dylan.
— Douglas Miles (@douglasmilesCRG) May 28, 2025
Anthony will play college tennis at Coe. #iahstennis pic.twitter.com/LoqZXiGVCc
Dylan closed an impressive freshman season with just two losses in singles play, both to Anthony. His performance on the state’s biggest stage undoubtedly served notice that he will be a force for the next three years.
“I think it really boosted my confidence,” Dylan said. “Just because I am in the finals as a freshman. All the other people were seniors that were above me. They won’t be here next year.”
For Prairie Coach Eric Modracek, there were no losers on this day.
“It was awesome,” Modracek said. “You feel bad that somebody has to lose, but you feel really good for big brother because he’s been getting closer every year. I think that, honestly, Dylan may go down as one of the greats in Iowa. He really will. He’ll keep his head up.”
In the state doubles final, the Iowa City West pairing of seniors Anthony Medina and Derek Hua fell to Karthik Ganesh and Jatin Kodavatiganti of Pleasant Valley, 6-2, 6-2.
“I’m glad we came this far,” Medina said. “We started out as the four seed and got all the way to second place, so if you do better than your seed, I think you can take that as a victory.”
At the 1A state tournament in Waterloo, Cedar Rapids Xavier swept both state championships as junior Charlie LeGrand captured the state singles crown, while the duo of sophomore Bennett Link and junior Jacob Schmit won the state doubles title.
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