Brocker wins one at state tennis tourney
STAFF REPORT
COLUMBUS
Poland’s Ben Brocker went 1-1 and Michael Fredericka of Warren JFK was 0-1 on the first day of the Division II state tennis tournament at the Stickney Tennis Center on Friday.
Both players were eliminated from further play.
Brocker, a senior and the No. 5 seed from the Northeast district tournament, defeated Coshocton senior Ryan Shutt, 7-6 (3), 6-4, in the first round.
That set up Brocker against Alex Aleman, a junior from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy and last weekend’s district runner-up.
Both sets were closely contested, but Aleman prevailed, 6-4, 6-3, advancing to today’s semifinals.
Aleman will play junior Chris Diaz of Columbus Watterson.
Fredericka, meanwhile, was the No. 3 seed from last weekend’s district tournament, but was paired in the first round against defending Div. II state singles champion Joey Fritz of Cincinnati Country Day.
Fritz, a senior, defeated Fredericka, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3, advancing to the second round.
Fritz later defeated Ian Wagner of Columbus Wellington School, 6-3, 6-3, and will play Colin Bernier of Canton Central Catholic in today’s other semifinal. Bernier was the top seed out of the Northeast district.