Salcedo brothers win Div. I doubles crown

OBERLIN — Despite an eye injury to Bryan Salcedo caused by his brother Robert in the semifinals, the Boardman High brothers won the Division I district tennis championship Saturday at Oberlin College.

Scott Warden of the Spartans lost a pair of singles matches, but all three players advanced to the state tournament at Ohio State University next Friday and Saturday.

In the doubles semifinals, the Salcedos defeated Paul Boslet and Zach Perry of Hudson, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

“We were up 2-0 in the second set and I went to hit an overhead shot and hit my brother Bryan in the eye with my racquet and that caused his perception to be a little off,” Robert said.

“The trainer came out and put ice and some ointment on his eye and that kept the swelling down,” Robert said.

Bryan said, “That kind of threw my game off a little bit, but once the swelling was down I was able to get back on my game quickly.”

In the championship match, the Salcedos easily defeated Matt McErlean and Alex Hughes of Hudson, 6-1, 6-3.

“Hudson’s two doubles teams are the toughest we have faced in the past two weeks and there is a possibility we could play one of them again at state,” Robert said.

Warden loses in semis

Warden, a junior, won his first two matches to reach the semis. He lost to Jeremy Polster of Shaker Heights, 6-3, 6-1 and then to Dylan Schrode of Solon, 6-4, 6-3.

“I didn’t play as well today,” Warden said. “My backhand was weak and my mental attitude wasn’t as sharp and I didn’t focus, but I am happy about going to state.”

Boardman coach Steve Warden said, “Scott was up 40-0 twice in the first set in the semis and then lost both of those games. That was big and kind of messed up his mind.”

“His backhand wasn’t as sharp as it could have been, but he knows now what he’ll have to do at state.”

In the match against Schrode, Scott was up 4-0 (games) and 40 love in the first set, then lost the match losing six straight games and went on to finish fourth.

“Our doubles team were awesome,” Warden said. “It was kind of scary when Bryan was hurt, but the kids came back and got the job done.”

“All three are aggressive in their style and they all played singles during the regular season and that helped get them prepared for the tournaments,” Warden said.