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| No title this time, but Panthers still happy |
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| The boys tennis team will have three representatives at state. |
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 | | Photo by Sam Scott | | Central's Erwin Soto prepares to pound an overhead during a May 8 match in the Special District 2 Tournament. |
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By Sam Scott
INDEPENDENCE -- Central's boys tennis team just missed capturing its third straight Special District 2 championship last week.
But Panthers coach Ron Warkentin walked away from the event without a trace of regret.
"We did great," he said. "To win district, we had to win all the close matches. We had to play up. LaSalle is just so tough."
Central's Erwin Soto and Ismael Martinez qualified for state in singles, and Jeff Gratreak and Allen Soto earned a spot at state in doubles
Central's Erwin Soto was seeded third in singles and advanced to the championship match before losing to the top-seeded player from LaSalle.
Martinez's run was a bit more surprising. He won 6-0, 6-1 in the first round and 6-4, 7-6 in the second. He then knocked off a LaSalle player 7-6, 6-0 in the quarterfinals to earn his berth at state.
"Ismael won two matches I had real questions about," Warkentin said. "He was as steady as can be. Erwin went to the finals, which is what we all expected. He had a nice win against a Stayton kid, who had beaten him earlier." | | Photo by Sam Scott | | Ismael Martinez of Central prepares to hit a forehand during a May 8 match in the Special District 2 Tournament. |
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Daniel Silberstein lost in the first round and won two consolation matches before he was eliminated. Luis Rodriguez won his first match but them was beaten by the eventual singles champion.
Gratreak and Soto were seeded fourth in doubles. They exceeded expectations by advancing to the championship match. The CHS duo beat the No. 2 seeds in the semifinals but lost to the top-seeded team in the championship match.
Kellen Desmarteau and Abraham Martinez won a pair of matches bu fell one victory short of state, losing 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 in the quarterfinals.
Alex King and Martin Robison also won two matches before falling in the quarterfinals.
Paul Anderson and Mike Ferichs lost in the first round. They advanced to the championship round of consolation play before they were stopped again.
The Class 4A-1A tennis tournament will be played May 15-17 at the Eugene Swim & Tennis Club. | | Photo by Sam Scott | | Jeff Gratreak of Central winds up for a forehand during a May 8 match in the Special District 2 Tournament. |
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The bracket makers did no favors for Central. Erwin Soto will meet top-seeded Scott Morse from Cascade Christian in the first round. Martinez will face Kirby Nelson of Vale in a pigtail match. Should Martinez win that, he then would square off against second-seeded Brandon Wei from Oregon Episcopal School.
In doubles, Gratreak and Allen Soto will play either Nicholas Bello and Taylor Dutton from Catlin Gabel or Alan Lougee and Josh Brown of Umatilla in their first match.
"We're looking forward to seeing if we can survive the 90-degree weather," Warkentin said of the expected warmer conditions later this week.
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