Cedar Rapids Xavier’s Avery and Bennett Link win Class 1A state tennis coed doubles title

MARSHALLTOWN — They made the most of their one opportunity.

Avery and Bennett Link continued a Cedar Rapids Xavier tennis tradition on Tuesday, capturing the Class 1A coed doubles state title, downing Kate Holton and Parker Stroh of Waterloo Columbus 3-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-6) in the title match.

With Avery being a senior and Bennett a freshman, this was their lone chance to compete together and they made the most of it. They defeated Pella's Claire Smock and Jack Briggs, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals before battling back to claim the championship.

Tuesday's title was the fourth straight and fifth in the last six tournaments for Xavier teams. Avery Link combined with Ryan Schmit to win last year. Ally Burger and Declan Coe (2022), Miyako Coffey and Matt Schmit (2021), Nina Marquardt and Jon Lansing (2018) and Cassandra Chalhoub and Sean Mathison (2008) also won titles.

In Class 2A, the Cedar Rapids Washington duo of Katelynn Kock and Logan Sherman finished third. The brother-sister duo of Kaden and London Taylor won the title.