Walker gets taste at State

WATERLOO — Red Oak freshman Pete Walker can say he has seen the best in the state, after facing Lan Luhring of Aplington-Parkersburg in the first round of the state tournament, Friday.

Walker only won one game of the two-set match, losing 6-1, 6-0, to the unseeded Luhring before the Aplington senior went on to win the state championship.

The Tiger freshman was in trouble in the first round of the consolation bracket, losing his first set 6-3 to Tyler Johnson (Ballard) before settling in and winning the next set, 7-5, and the tie-breaker to advance.

In the second round of consolation, Walker was defeated by fellow freshman James McManus (Columbus Catholic, Waterloo), 6-0, 6-4, to end his run at state.

Walker, McManus, and Aaron Chalstrom (St. Edmond, Fort Dodge) were the only freshmen in the tournament. Chalstrom entered the singles state tournament seeded second, and finished second in the tournament.

In girls’ tennis, Red Oak won their team district tournament, sweeping Spirit Lake, 5-0, to advance to the state tournament.

The singles and doubles individual tournament begins Thursday at the University of Iowa’s tennis courts in Iowa City.

Emily and Rachel Pierson are seeded second in the doubles bracket.

The team tournament begins Saturday as Red Oak faces Camanche.