Luverne senior Pierce Cunningham won his second consecutive singles championship during the Section 3AA Individual Tournament in Redwood Falls Tuesday, May 31.
Cunningham, who was seeded No. 1 and is undefeated this season, defeated No. 2-seeded Taylor Duncan of Benson/KMS 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the section championship.
Cunningham reached the championship match by defeating Jacob Zollner of Redwood Valley 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals.
With a record of 28-0 on the season, Cunningham’s victory may not have been a surprise, but was still a relief.
“It felt really good,” Cunningham said. “There’s always pressure to repeat.”
Luverne head coach Lucas Larson credited his No. 1 singles player’s hard work for his success.
“Pierce making it was expected, but it’s also a testament to the work he puts into his game,” Larson said.
“You will be hard-pressed to find a player more dedicated to the sport of tennis than Pierce. I’m really happy for him.”
Cunningham said he began playing tennis when he was about six years old and has taken lessons and played in leagues and tournaments in Sioux Falls since elementary school.
“What I enjoy most about tennis is that it’s just you out on the court,” Cunningham said.
“I like the strategy of it. Each serve is its own contest. You have to stay positive and not let one mistake get you down. It’s really one point at a time.”
Cunningham said he’s learned to approach his tennis game with more maturity over the years.
“I’ve learned to not get as mad when things go wrong, or at least try not to,” he said. “I try to be happier on the court, which actually irritates some competitors and opposing coaches sometimes.”
The state individual tournament, which includes both singles and doubles play, begins today (Thursday) at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis.
The Cardinals also qualified for the team tournament that was played Tuesday and Wednesday at the same facility (see related story).
Cunningham will begin singles competition against Michael Frost of Holy Family Catholic High School of Victoria at 8 a.m.
A victory in the first round would advance him to the quarterfinal round at noon to face either Marjan Veldic of Rochester Lourdes or Winfield Stephens of Providence Academy of Plymouth.
A loss would mean a consolation quarterfinal match at the same time against one of the same players.
“I’m excited for the matchups at state and the good competition,” Cunningham said, “and hanging out with the team.”
Cunningham, who also ran cross country for LHS in the fall, plans to continue his tennis career at Northwestern College in Orange City next year.
“In college you generally play both singles and doubles, so I’m looking forward to that,” Cunningham said.
“It’s been fun to maintain our streak (of team state tournament appearances) here and play with the guys, but I’m also excited to play in college.”
By Jason Berghorst
After completing very successful regular seasons at No. 2 and No. 3 singles respectively, Luverne seniors Griffen Jarchow and Blake Frahm united to form a doubles team for the Section 3AA individual tournament last week.
With combined singles records of 52-2, the newly formed doubles pair was seeded No. 1 at the start of the section tournament.
“We thought that us playing doubles would be our best option for advancing to the state individual tournament,” Frahm said.
The LHS duo proved that strategy, and their No. 1 seed, to be correct by defeating the No. 2-seeded pair of Andrew Muetzel and Drew Lundeen of Redwood Valley 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 in the section championship match.
“The doubles tournament was extremely strong this year,” said Luverne head coach Lucas Larson.
“Although we thought Blake and Griffen were the best, it took some hard work for them to show it,” Larson said. “They had to come back from losing their first set in the finals.”
“I’m extremely proud of those two for adjusting their games to the doubles court and working with each other.”
The LHS pair defeated Isaac Stiles and Cole Paulson of Pipestone 6-2, 6-3 in the tournament semifinals.
Jarchow and Frahm will open doubles play today (Thursday) against John Gorman and Enrico Petto of Breck School of Minneapolis at 10 a.m. at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis.
The pair actually first competed as a doubles team when they were freshmen.
Frahm was half of the section doubles championship team from last year with 2021 graduate Ben Jarchow.
Frahm was 26-2 while playing at No. 3 singles this season after competing in doubles in 2019 and 2021. (There was no boys’ tennis season in 2020 because of the pandemic.)
“I’ve had a pretty good season,” Frahm said. “It helps a lot practicing with Pierce and Griffen every day. They make me better.”
Frahm said there are a number of things he likes about playing tennis.
“I like that it’s more of a solo sport,” said Frahm, who also plays basketball for the Cardinals.
“You’re more independent and responsible for your own success when playing tennis.”
Jarchow was undefeated at No. 2 singles this season, racking up a 26-0 record after earning a 20-1 record last season at the same spot.
“I like the repetitiveness of tennis,” Jarchow said.
“You get to learn what works and what doesn’t and then, hopefully, keep doing whatever works.”
According to Jarchow, what works in singles play may be different than in doubles play.
“When we play doubles, you need to work with your teammate,” he said. “You’re not all on your own.”
Jarchow plans to play tennis next year at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.
Until then, Jarchow is looking forward to finishing his high school career at this week’s state tournament.
“It’s going to be really fun to see how far we can get.”
