Stout schedule has Cedar Rapids Xavier boys’ tennis primed for postseason

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Xavier boys' tennis team embodies the Bible verse, 'as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.'

The gauntlet of a Mississippi Valley Conference schedule — widely regarded as the best boys' tennis conference in the state — delivered a few early lumps, but the Saints have thrived as the season shifted to the Class 1A postseason.

'It really helps with the 1A because we play a lot of hard competition,' said junior Jon Lansing, who will play for one of two Xavier doubles teams in the Class 1A boys' tennis individual state championships Friday and Saturday at Byrnes Park in Waterloo. 'A lot of our opponents don't really get the chance to play that hard competition, so it really just prepares us and gets us in the mindset that we can win these matches.'

Lansing and first-year doubles partner Charlie Esker have won 10 matches in a row and could earn one of four tournament seeds when the brackets are announced. With the steady Esker setting up Lansing for aggressive point-scoring chances, the twosome found their rhythm at the start of the season.

'I think we have good teamwork and good communication skills,' Esker said. 'It is our first year together, but I think we're a strong doubles team. We can play off each other. I think our skills really complement each other, which makes us a formidable team.'

Junior Alex Hinrichs and senior Ryan Jasper — winners of 12 of 15 doubles matches this season — will also represent the Saints in the doubles field. Jasper has provided a significant boost to the Saints, both at doubles and No. 6 singles, with his return following two years with the soccer team.

The Saints' individual success has also transferred to the team race. After winning just six of 15 duals last season, Xavier (12-4) has won eight in a row.

'They've really improved throughout the season and from one year to the next,' Xavier Coach Jim Potts said. 'We have a lot more control and patience this year. Rather than going for all the big shots all the time, they are a little more patient in how they play.'

After Monday victories over Waterloo Columbus and defending 1A team state champion Dubuque Wahlert, the Saints not only clinched their first trip to the team state tournament, but will participate in the 1A 'final four' May 30 at Waveland Tennis Courts in Des Moines.

'The win against Wahlert was really good for us, really good for our confidence to boost us up and get us in there,' Lansing said. 'We haven't really beat Wahlert a lot in the past few years, and it was just really good to get over that hump, get over that milestone.'

Marion seniors Nate Meister and Maverick Miller will compete in the 1A singles bracket, while the 2A individual state championships are at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com