The upcoming season looks promising for the Grandview boys tennis team based on its showing to open the season Friday at the Tom Moore Invitational.
The tournament hosted by Eaglecrest High School — where singles play took place, while doubles was divided between Cherokee Trail and Grandview to make sure play was completed before the arrival of possible inclement weather — had a field of eight teams and four were from the Aurora area.
Coach Jeff Ryan’s Wolves saw an outstanding debut from an exciting pair of freshmen in the lineup, as twin brothers Kahaan and Krish Wani both won their brackets at Nos. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. Krish Wani dropped a total of just three games in three matches and secured the championship with a 6-0, 6-0 victory, while Kahaan Wani took all three of his matches in straight sets as well.
Grandview finished with 43 points, which was one behind both Cherokee Trail and Denver East atop the standings. The Wolves might have taken the title save for a loss by junior No. 1 singles player Justin Son in a semifinal showdown with an opponent from Denver East. Son — last season’s 5A individual state runner-up at No. 1 singles — dropped a pro set in the third set and ended up placing third.
With the Wanis combined with Son in singles play — which pushed down experienced singles players into the doubles ranks in senior Blake Hardin and junior Carter Benton (who placed third at the tournament at No. 1 doubles), Ryan’s team has a recipe to be competitive in any dual match or tournament they have this season.
Cherokee Trail claimed first, second or third in six of seven positions on its way to 44 points. The senior No. 2 doubles team of Matthew Jeung and Alan Kamalov along with the No. 4 doubles team of Daniel Demyanovich and Edward Tay won their positions for the Cougars.
Demyanovich and Tay prevailed 10-8 in a pro set to take the title over a team from Castle View.
CRAZY EIGHTS: The Eaglecrest softball team is two games into the new season and both contests have involved eight-running innings. Coach Yvette Hendrian’s Raptors tallied eight times Aug. 20 to break open a close game at Chaparral for a 13-4 win and had a two-run lead going into the bottom of the sixth at home Saturday against Legacy. Another eight-spot produced a mercy rule-shortened 14-4 win. Eaglecrest saw an early four-run lead erased, then went ahead again in the fifth on a solo home run from junior Briahna Gallegos and run-scoring infield hit from junior Zaya Elliott.
COME FROM BEHIND WIN: The Grandview girls flag football team faced a one-point deficit to Rock Canyon midway through a mid-afternoon contest at Legacy Stadium Saturday before roaring back for a 25-14 victory. Tierra Goodgain scored two touchdowns (one on a pitch from Brooke Sullivan following a pass completion and another rushing), while Ivy Daniel and Sullivan had interceptions defensively as coach Mark Fisher Wolves moved to 2-1.
FLAG FOOTBALL OPENS IN APS: A scheduled tripleheader turned into a doubleheader Friday night at Aurora Public Schools Stadium as district girls flag football teams had their first contests of the inaugural sanctioned season of the sport. Rivals Rangeview and Vista PEAK Prep opened the night with a lengthy contest that was low on scoring as the Raiders prevailed 15-0. Grace Takie-Addy got into the end zone twice, while Rangeview also scored via a safety in the first half. The nightcap featured Aurora West College Prep against Aurora Central and the Spartans got a long touchdown on their first possession and went on to a 28-13 win over the Trojans.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter/X: @aurorasports. IG: Sentinel Prep Sports
