STATE CHAMPS: Altoona boys tennis team claims first team championship

MADISON — Altoona boys tennis coach Greg Emerson said this year’s team was the greatest he’s ever coached.

Now, the Railroaders have the hardware to prove just that, as they claimed the WIAA Division 2 State Team Championship with a 5-2 win over Madison Edgewood on Saturday at Nielsen Stadium.

This is Altoona’s first state team championship in program history in just its second appearance in Madison. The Railroaders finished runner-up a year ago.

The two-seeded Railroaders were led by seniors Trenton Navarre and Carter Drescher, sophomore Jonah Oldenkamp and junior Connor Gower, who each took care of business in the championship singles play. Navarre and Carter Drescher both needed a decisive third set to claim victory.

Sophomore Railroader doubles partners Joseph Ricci and Owen Drescher claimed the lone championship doubles victory, a three-set (3-6, 6-2, 10-6) affair.

Altoona defeated No. 3 Kohler 5-2 in the semifinals on Saturday morning, winning three singles and two doubles matches. It was the second year in a row the Railroaders defeated Kohler at the state championships.

Saturday’s two wins capped off a perfect 28-0 season for the Railroaders, who are made up of six seniors including Teagan Bennett, Jaxton Semrow, Lucas Pederson and Isaiah Yi, one junior and three sophomores.

All of the Railroaders returned from last season’s runner-up team and now leave as champions.