Chapmanville tennis sensation Courtney Curnutte captured the WVSSAC Class A/AA Girls State Tennis Championship on Saturday one day after the Lady Tigers won the team state title.
Curnutte defeated Williamstown’s Claire Strobl (6-2, 6-2) in the finals to capture the crown. Curnutte also won 8-0 in two singles matches on Friday to reach the semifinals.
The Chapmanville doubles team of Emma Bryant and Madison Baker went on a run all the way to the finals before falling to Williamstown.
Logan’s doubles team of Addyson Amick and Ashton McDonald had a great showing before bowing out in the semifinals to eventual state champion Williamstown. Amick also had a fantastic run in the singles tournament by also advancing to the semifinal round before losing.
After the event ended, Chapmanville head coach Chris Kidd reflected on the program’s journey up until this year’s success.
“Fifteen years ago when I started coaching at Chapmanville, the thought of getting players into the state tournament was a struggle. Thinking about winning the state tournament was absolutely laughable. But we just kept building and working through the middle school program and on through high school, and we kept progressively getting better. In 2014, we got our first four state champions in doubles in Haley Justice, Cassidy Lewis, Myla Bryant and Sara Lambert. Then Emma Bryant won the singles state title in her division in 2022. Then last year Jill Blevins and Courtney Curnutte won the overall doubles state championship. We had nine others get state runner-up. In that time, we won five Cardinal Conference and five Regional Championships. But to win the overall team championship this season with two girls who had not played on the main high school roster before is an unbelievable story.
“We had the bare minimum of girls needed for a team, so they fought through injuries, mental and physical exhaustion and just clawed their way forward every step. For this team to go 27-0 against some of the competition they played is just incredible to me. This wasn’t the most talented team we’ve ever had, but it was the toughest, which is saying something. These girls reached down deep inside every day and just found a way to win when people didn’t expect them to. They’re great students, great people and so loving and caring to others. For this to happen for them is one of the most gratifying things you could ever hope for as a coach. I don’t think I can ever explain just how proud I am of these six girls. I love them to death.”
Natalie Chirico, Faith Conley and Emily Hughes were also on the state championship team with Curnutte, Bryant and Baker.
Congratulations to the Chapmanville Lady Tigers and Courtney Curnutte on their state titles!
