Gahanna’s Carpico, Academy’s Xue capture district singles titles
Brandon Carpico sloughed off any suggestion that he was the prohibitive favorite at the Division I boys tennis district tournament, although he did not drop a set in four matches to win the singles championship Saturday at Olentangy.
The Gahanna junior, who is 33-0 this season, is more concerned about the four wins he needs next weekend to capture his second consecutive state title.
“I’m just trying to build on everything I did last year and make sure everything is just a little bit better and a little bit bigger,” he said. “I like how everything stands right now.”
Carpico defeated Worthington Kilbourne’s Owen Alderman 6-0, 6-2 in a semifinal before sweeping Upper Arlington’s Ethan Samora 6-2, 6-2 in the final.
Alderman placed third, edging Pickerington North’s Cole Alcala 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-6).
Samora beat Alcala 7-5, 6-0 in the other semifinal.
The top four finishers in singles and doubles advanced to state Friday and Saturday in Mason.
Olentangy Orange’s Kallan Arledge and Parth Patel won the doubles title, beating Dublin Jerome’s Max Fickas and Tanish Pairu 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.
—Dave Purpura
Division II
Columbus Academy freshman Lucas Xue avenged a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to Bexley freshman Sam Lessard in the team tournament the day before by winning 6-4, 6-3 for the singles championship.
Bexley earned an state tournament berth with a 3-2 win Saturday.
“Last night was pretty devastating for us as a team,” Xue said. “I wanted to come out today and do my best to get some revenge and do it for the team.”
Academy coach Marc Wurtzman was impressed with Xue’s resiliency.
“Lucas was pretty upset yesterday, but Sam played a great match,” Wurtzman said. “Lucas was determined to play his best tennis today and try to turn it around. I thought he competed hard, stayed really focused and was fortunate to get that opportunity one day later.”
In doubles, Bexley’s Austin Flamm and Stefan Schiff held off Academy’s Ryan Panley and Rowen Lo 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 for the title.
The top two finishers in singles and doubles advanced to state.
—Frank Direnna