West’s Oetting chasing biggest accomplishment yet

There's not a lot left for Blake Oetting to accomplish on the tennis court.

The Iowa City West senior is a two-time athlete of the year in the Mississippi Valley Conference, a Class 2A doubles state champion and a leader on a two-time defending team state champion.

But there still is one big carrot out there at the end of the stick.

'It's definitely a big goal,” said Oetting, who begins pursuit of a Class 2A individual state championship Friday at Veterans Memorial Tennis Center in Cedar Rapids.

As a sophomore, Oetting was eliminated in the state singles' quarterfinals. Last season, he won state doubles.

Oetting believes both experiences served him well.

'Being in the individual state tournament, regardless of which category you're in, is definitely helpful,” Oetting said. 'Last year when I was able to be in some big matches and do well, I think that's the best preparation you could have for any state tournament.”

Oetting leads a roster of six Trojans into state, marking the first time West has qualified all six of its entrants. Freshman Jiung Jung joins Oetting in the singles bracket, while a pair of doubles' teams (Adam Dellos and Trent Schneider and David DiLeo and Karl Wenzel) round out the field.

'I think that's a testament to the hard work the boys put in,” West Coach Mitch Gross said. 'We're happy to have achieved that goal, and now we want to hopefully do some damage.”

The door is open for a new 2A singles champion. Defending champion Brady Anderson of Linn-Mar is chasing a doubles title alongside teammate Trevor McCann. Linn-Mar won't be lacking for representation in the singles bracket, however, with junior Tim Paulson hoping to improve on his eighth-place finish a year ago.

'I don't think people realize how good of a player Tim really is,” Linn-Mar Coach Chris Wundram said. 'He's going to show people that he's not under Brady's shadow. He's the real deal.”

Like Oetting, Paulson expects his previous state experience to reflect in his play this weekend.

'This year I'm definitely coming in with a lot more confidence,” said Paulson, a two-time member of the all-MVC first team. 'The competition is really good this year ... everybody's good, I just have to remember that and just keep moving on.”

First-round play begins at 10 a.m.

At the Class 1A meet in Waterloo, Kyle D'Mello of Cedar Rapids Xavier is the lone area singles' competitor. Two doubles' teams from Decorah - C.J. Cliff and Gable Lonning and Karl Sand and Caleb Ulring - also will compete.

The semifinals and finals will be held Saturday for both classes.