Persons repeat as champs

Boardman reached all five finals to edge Ursuline for the team title.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Last spring, Ursuline's Donald Person predicted that he would win this year's Division II state doubles title with teammate Brian Meek.
He still believes that. Sort of.
"I'm not saying we will win," Person said with a laugh. "Let's get that straight. But we have a good chance. I don't see any reason why we shouldn't."
As freshmen, Meek and Person placed fifth in the district doubles tournament.
A year later, Meek and Todd Wojtkowski finished fourth in the state. After playing singles last year, this could be the year Person and Meek win it all.
"I hope so," Meek said. "It would be a dream come true. It will be the last time we play together."
Meek then pretended to cry.
"It's a sad day," he said. "Sniff."
Tune-up
The sectional tournament begins next week and Person and Meek used Tuesday's Steel Valley Conference tournament as a tune-up.
Person outlasted Boardman senior Tom Barth, 7-5, 6-4, to repeat as No. 1 singles champion, while Meek beat Boardman's Chris Swanson, 6-1, 6-0, to repeat as No. 2 singles champion.
Ursuline sophomore Kelton Person also repeated as No. 3 singles champion, but the Spartans reached all five finals to win the tournament title.
Boardman won just one championship as top-seeded Matt Finamore and Chris Leson beat Warren Harding's Eric Esposito and Donald Motley in No. 1 singles.
Mooney's Pat Walker and Mike Lucci beat Boardman's Ryan Ingram and Josh Winters for the No. 2 singles title.
The Irish won the regular season SVC title -- their fourth straight.
"Hey, we're thrilled," Boardman coach Evelyn Stanton said. "I think that shows that we're a well-rounded team. I think the kids are playing excellent heading into sectionals."
Donald Person, who also beat Barth in last year's final, has not lost a set this season, but said Tuesday's match was one of his toughest so far.
"He hit a couple bombs and there wasn't much I could do with them," Person said of Barth, who has the area's best serve. "I got a couple breaks and played well enough to win. But he's good."
Kelton, Donald's younger brother, earned the nickname "Three-set Kelton," but needed just two to beat Boardman's Kevin Weiser, 6-2, 6-3.
"They think I like to play three sets," he said with a smile. "I think I've gotten better since last year and I'd like to make it all the way to state [in singles]. I'm playing pretty well."
Cause for alarm
Donald had a chance to make it to last year's state singles tournament -- he was the top seed in the sectional tournament -- but got the wrong starting time for his first match and was disqualified.
You can be sure that won't happen again.
"I'm bringing a van and we're going to sleep in the parking lot overnight," Meek said with a laugh.
Added Donald, "I don't care if I have a broken leg, a broken arm or if I'm paralyzed in a wheelchair, I'm going to be there. I'm playing in that tournament."
scalzo@vindy.com