May 21, 2019 Issue, Page 19 of 20

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sports Elk City and Merritt High Senior tennis players’ determination pays off | School Sports Schedule May 21 ELK CITY KidsInc. Boys Pee Wee select games 5:30 to 9 p.m. Kids Ine, 12U fast pitch softball 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 22 U ELK CITY KidsInc. Boys Coach oe sagagacat 10 ¢ 4 Pitch select games 5:30 to | nda ¢ sane 9:30 p.m. jengasas 8 Kids Ine. 10U fast pitch softball 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 23 g | : Hh ELKCITY KidsInc. Boys T-Ball Select games 5:30 to 9:30 Tet pam. Elk City seniors Will Thompson (serving) and Dillan Patel (foreground) during their regional competition at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center a few weeks ago. The duo earned a fourth place finish in boys number two doubles at the Class 4A state championships on May 11, the first boys Kids Inc. girls coach team to reach the podium in four years. Photo submitted. pitch softball 5:30 to 9:30 By William B. Carroll finishing fourth in No. 2 boys each other and knowing what semifinals. Their first was a Patel is planning on majoring Sports Editor doubles. the other one is going to do on three set battle with Rejoice in business, while Thompson p.m. Reaching such a lofty the court,” Thompson said. Christian they won 6-7, 6-4, plans to major in accounting. For seniors Will Thomp- position was not a foregone “That takes some time to 6-1. The second win was a Patel added that he cur- son and Dillan Patel, noth- conclusion at the beginning of develop.” slightly easier contest againstrently is planning to possibly May 24 ing short of finishing on the the season. While Patel said As the season progressed Grove that the pair took 6-4, transfer to the University of podium at the boys 4A tennis he has been playing doubles the two developed a rapport 6-4. They then lost their next championship would have since the seventh grade, and were able to land second match, againsta strong Hen- Oklahoma after he completes ELKCITY been unacceptable. ‘Thompson said he has been a in their regional which set ryetta squad 7-6, 6-2, placing acouple of years at SWOSU. “I told myself that I am get- singles player and the two did them up with an opportunity them in the third-place game. Neither though plans to play KidsInc. Boys Midget ting on that podium no matter not play together as doubles to progress to state. Which they ultimately lost to tennis in college. what,” said Thompson. partners until this season. For Thompson, who had Crossings Christian 7-6, 6-3 Both said they would miss Select games 5:30 to 9:30 “We definitely wanted to Add to that the fact that been to state three times, the to earn fourth place honors their time at Elk City. finish on the podium,” Patel Thompson had to miss sev- event was nothing new, and and a podium position. “[ think Pl just miss p.m. agreed. eral tournaments and even even though Patel was play- With their high school ten- roaming the halls,” Thomp- Out of 16 teams that making it to state was a major ing in his first tournament he nis careers over, both young competed at the state meet, accomplishment for the two said he approached it like he men plan on attending South- son said, while Patel said Kids Inc. 14U fast pitch only five would make podium young men. would any other tournament. west Oklahoma State Univer- he would miss knowing his softball 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. positions and Thompson and “[ think one of the difficult The two took their first two sity in the fall with somewhat teachers as well as he has Patel reached their goal by things is just getting used to matches to progress to the similar career trajectories. during his time at Elk City. Are you missing Whats impo elivered to your mailbox, i( 75 ublished Tuesday and Friday, (L001 Ss = GN x AN ‘SS WS =AN= 3 ~= Add the Espaper for 91 per month, S Shy Ni we BS WS