Mike Condon

For three straight years Malcolm Rice has played against Linn-Mar teammates in a boys’ tennis district final. The top-seeded Lion duo of Rice and Garrett Bauermeister outlasted teammates Jake Wallrichs and Jackson Kramer, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, in Wednesday’s final at Linn-Mar. In the singles final, Cedar Rapids Washington’s Luke Burkamper rolled to a 6-2, 6-1 win over Dubuque Hempstead's Luke Holden.

Malcolm Rice has never been satisfied as a tennis player. As the Linn-Mar senior approaches the stretch run of his high school career, his desire to up his game remains strong.

Cedar Rapids Washington’s Mya Messenger and Lily Belle Barker clinched a spot at state tennis with a regional doubles title for the second straight year, but once again a scheduling conflict with state golf could prevent them from competing.

Avery Link has more than proven herself on the tennis court during her four years at Cedar Rapids Xavier, winning a team state title in 2021, a co-ed doubles title with Ryan Schmit last June and racking up more than 100 career wins. However a gesture on a mid-August morning to not only a future teammate, but one who would eventually bump her down a spot in the lineup, showed Link’s true character.

Brackets are out for the 2024 Iowa high school team tennis postseason. Girls’ regionals begin May 10, boys’ substates on May 11 with Linn-Mar, Iowa City West and Cedar Rapids Washington all hosting.

Regional tennis singles and doubles pairings were released Wednesday morning by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. All meets in classes 2A and 1A are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on Monday.

Linn-Mar and Iowa City West have been selected as host schools by the Iowa High School Athletic Association for the Class 2A boys’ tennis district singles and doubles tournaments to be held around the state on May 8.

Success is nothing new for the Iowa City Liberty girls’ tennis team. Coach James Postman's team went 14-3 last year and 13-4 in 2022 with young rosters. The core players from those teams are now seniors and their experience is paying off.

In this week’s Iowa high school tennis notebook: Marion is surprised by a move to Class 2A, Cedar Rapids Xavier adds windscreens to its facility and a look at the first rankings of the 2024 season.

For nearly 20 years, Chris Wundram has consistently had the Linn-Mar boys’ tennis team among the best in the state. Now Linn-Mar will have a state-of-the art facility to showcase its program.

Here’s a look at Gazette area teams and players to watch during the 2024 Iowa high school boys’ tennis season.

Here’s a list of the top returning Gazette area Iowa high school girls’ tennis players and teams heading into the 2024 season. One goal remains for Cedar Rapids Washington’s Katelynn Kock: A state singles title.

One of the first moves Kirkwood women's basketball coach Kim Muhl made for this season was signing former Benton Community all-stater Jenna Twedt. The 5-foot-8 guard has been a standout, helping lift the Eagles to the national tournament for a record 22nd time.

After twice having to step away from the program for health reasons over the past four seasons, Coach Mike Sconsa will be taking another Cascade team to the girls’ state basketball tournament.

Iowa City High’s Polyak capped off a brilliant prep career by defending his title in the 200-yard individual medley, winning in 1:46.35, five seconds ahead of runner-up Dylan Nelson of West Des Moines Valley. He backed that up by taking the 100 breaststroke title in 53.42 seconds. In most years, that performance would have likely been worthy of the swimmer of the meet honor, but that went to his I-Fly club teammate Owen Chiles of Pleasant Valley, who set state records in winning the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke.