The Lawrence County boys and girls tennis teams each placed first in the 15th Region Boys and Girls Tennis Tournaments in Louisa.
Boys
In the boys singles final, it was a battle of Lawrence County’s Chase Kendrick, and 8th grader, and Lawrence County junior Blake Maynard. In the end, Kendrick took home the title, 6-0, 6-3.
In doubles, Lawrence County freshmen Alex Desario and Cayden Sweeney were eliminated in the semifinals after a couple of wins. Johnson Central’s Nicholas Hardin and Jacob Rubado defeated Pikeville’s Maddox Parsons and Merrick Byers in the finals, 6-4, 0-6, 10-5.
Lawrence County also had the doubles team of Seniors Trey Hall and JD Montgomery compete. Hall was given the sportsmanship award.
Lawrence County head coach Joey McClanahan was happy with his team’s performance after the tournament.
“It’s our first regional championship since 2019,” said McClanahan. “We have a strong program, but COVID took a hit on our team. We’ve been building around Chase and Blake. Chase puts a lot of work in and plays with men twice his age. Blake is a superstar soccer athlete. He gets to every ball there is, and he frustrates his opponents.”
Girls
In the girls tournament, Lawrence County junior Kennedy Gauze won the title over Magoffin County’s Makinna Caudill, 6-2, 6-1, in the finals. Lawrence County’s Riley Sammons also competed but failed to advance.
In the doubles tournament, Belfry’s Clara McNamee and Jayden Mullins defeated Pikeville’s Christina Al Akhrass and Chloe Olegario, 6-1, 6-2.
Lawrence County’s team of Riley McClanahan and TK Ellis advance to the semifinals. Another Lawrence County team of Molly McClanahan and Brylee Blair advanced to the quarterfinal round.
Coach McClanahan was pleased with how is girls team performed.
“We were able to win region with two seniors who had never played tennis before, a freshman, two juniors and Kennedy,” he said. “The girls have won the region ever year except for one since 2011. So, we are blessed.”
