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The Dow High boys tennis team won the Saginaw Valley League for the 16th time in a row on Thursday. And when it comes to Chargers coach Terry Schwartzkopf, this Valley championship may be the most rewarding – and unlikely – of all.
“This is an exciting achievement. Sixteen years is a long time,” said Schwartzkopf, whose Chargers won seven of eight flights and earned 30 possible 32 points on Thursday. “My assistant coach Juan (Guerra) was a freshman when this run started, and it’s really special that he’s here as a coach in the program he helped build. I’m excited and excited about how this season will end.
“No one seems to understand this: we have not been in full strength for any of the matches this season. None,” added Schwartzkopf, whose team has been hampered by injuries throughout the season. “We will get Nimai (Patel) back this week, which means we are perfectly healthy for the first time in the regions.
“What a great time to put things together. I don’t think other schools understand that they haven’t seen us as a whole team.”
The Dow won three of four singles led by Austin King in the No. 1 series. Joaco Garcia-Argibay’s No. 2 single, which won all three of his matches, including a 6-1, 6-0 win over Parker Hillman of Midland; and Logan Yu, the 4th single who won all three of his matches, including a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Chemics ’Tommy Kroll.
The Chargers swept the double flights as Thomas Ladwein and Aaron Li went 3-0 with a No. 1 win, including a 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 MHS win over Jacob Doyle and Josh Doyle; Boaz Qiu and Roofy Elsadaany went 3-0 in wins No. 2, including a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Chemics ’Carter Albright and Braylen Laverty; Vish Karthikeyen and Shubhan Nagarkar went 3-0 in a duel 3-0, with 6-1, 6-4 defeating Midland’s Aiden O’Malley and Dietrich Greiner; and Michael McGaugh and Jonathan Song went 3-0 in the doubles.
Dow’s Konnor Janeczko made it to the semifinals by beating Mount Pleasant’s Brady Funnell 10-1 and knocking down 6-4, 6-2 to Midland’s Fred Temple.
“These guys are starting to believe they’re players Juan and I’ve told them they are,” Schwartzkopf excited. “Austin (King) avenged his loss to Grand Blanc, and the first doubles took Doyles (from Midland High) for the second time this year. These guys showed up today when it mattered the most. It was a really great day to be a charger.
“There’s also a big shout out to Bob Quinn and Jim Teal, who have been hosting this tournament for a long, long time and have just announced their retirement,” he added. “They have dedicated much of their lives to tennis at SVL, and we wish them well when they find peace in retirement, and thank them for their lasting impact on local tennis.”
Chargers will host Division 2 at the Greater Midland Tennis Center on Wednesday.
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