Wilhelm wins 3A state title

PHS girl Lisa Kromholtz, GHHS boy Max Jiganti go 1-2 at state tourney

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

Published: 11:49AM June 3rd, 2009

After four years of climbing, Peninsula senior tennis player Lance Wilhelm made it to the top of the mountain.

Wilhelm won the Class 3A tennis championship last Saturday at the Vancouver Tennis Complex in Washington state by defeating David Schuster of North Thurston 6-3, 6-2.

Wilhelm and Schuster had faced off in the West Central District finals the weekend prior at the Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway. There, Schuster won in three sets that lasted more than 3 hours.

But when it came time for the state tournament, Wilhelm said he played his best game of tennis.

“I thought I had a solid day,” Wilhelm said. “I gained more confidence in my strokes. I got better as I progressed through the rounds.”

Wilhelm is slated to play Division I tennis for the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs on a full athletic scholarship. Knowing his tennis career was far from over, he wasn’t too concerned with how the tournament played out.

“I was really content with anything that happened,” he said. “I just went down there to have some fun and play some good tennis.”

Wilhelm disposed of Seattle Prep’s Shuhe Matsuya 6-1, 6-1 in the first round. In the second round, he met a slightly tougher challenge, Reid deLaubenfels of Nathan Hale, but also beat him in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.

The last two rounds, Wilhelm said, were exactly like the district tournament.

“They were two rematches, again,” he said.

Union left-handed freshman Alex Wallace had given Wilhelm trouble at the district competition. Again, Wallace forced a third set, but Wilhelm came out victorious in the final set.

“He (Wallace) has a strong serve, so I just bunkered down and grinded it out for the game,” he said.

Having played a third set in the semis and winning 7-5, Wilhelm said he did not want another triple set match against Schuster in the finals.

Wilhelm said the courts at the state tournament had more grip versus at the district finals.

It made a difference.

Wilhelm dominated the championship match to win 6-3,6-2. In both sets during the finals, Wilhem shot out to quick leads of 5-1, 4-1.

“I was a little more focused,” Wilhelm said about competing at state. “It’s a good storybook ending.”

Peninsula boys tennis coach Cheri Ausboe said Wilhelm played his best overall game.

“He just had the whole package that day (today),” Ausboe said. “He didn’t have the unforced errors. He was moving Schuster around. The win showed that Lance is the strongest player overall.”

Wilhelm said he plans to study astronautical or aeronautical engineering for the Air Force Academy while playing tennis.

“I’m pumped,” he said about heading to college. “I’m just pumped to do something different.”

Lisa Kromholtz goes 1-2 at state

Peninsula junior Lisa Kromholtz advanced to the third round of the girls’ state tournament at the Vancouver Tennis Complex, but lost to Grace Porter of Bainbridge Island Peak 6-1, 6-2.

She beat Catherine Jorgensen in the second round 6-4, 6-3.

GH Max Jiganti advances to state

Gig Harbor junior Max Jiganti advanced to the Class 4A state tennis tournament at the Tri-city Court Club in Kennewick, Wash., before losing to Kent Andreasen of Skyview. He defeated Trevor Amsberry 6-3, 6-1 in the second round. Jiganti was eliminated from the tournament when he lost to Jackson’s Michael Chamerski 6-3, 6-2.

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