From Coach Bob Long:
      The Chillicothe varsity boys' tennis (3-2) team traveled to Trenton Tuesday, April 22 and defeated the Bulldogs 5-4. Gabe Poling defeated a familiar foe, Isaiah Swann, 8-5. Gabe beat Isaiah for the district singles title last spring. Isaiah kept Gabe off balance, but Gabe pulled away at the end winning his fifth singles victory out of five opportunities. Nate McKiddy had another close battle with a senior, Wilson Utley, before losing 6-8. Garrett Peterson was down early, but fought back to defeat Alex Davis of Trenton, 8-6. Freshmen number four player, Nathan Sims lost to the senior Bulldog, Chanse Houghton, 8-3. Nathan had several close games, but Chanse won the majority of them. Quentin Lewis lost a tight match, 5-8, to Leighton Fletchall. Brandon Lamp, Chillicothe number five, won a crucial
singles match in which he trailed 4-7. With Chillicothe facing going down, 2-4, after singles, Brandon fought back, and outlasted Jacob Marlay, 9-7. In doubles, Gabe Poling and Nathan Sims were unable to keep up with the Trenton duo, Swann and Davis, losing 6-8. Chillicothe needed to win the number two and three doubles to take the victory. After trailing 6-7 to the Trenton team of Utley and Houghton, Nate McKiddy and Garrett Peterson rallied to force a tie-breaker. In the tie-breaker, Nate and Garrett were able to get off to a quick lead, but the Bulldog pair came back. Hornets eventually prevailed 9-8 (7-4). In the final doubles competition and deciding match, Brandon Lamp and Quentin Lewis were up 4-1 early against Marlay and Fletchall of Trenton. Trenton fought back to a 5-5 tie, before
the Chillicothe team sealed the victory, 8-5.
     The match was a great win for the young Chillicothe team. Gabe continues to win and several of the new Hornets fought out key victories. Garrett Peterson and Brandon Lamp were able to grasp singles and doubles wins from
behind. Nate and Garrett are now 2-0 in doubles, both wins coming via the tie-breaker.