Meadowdale’s Ekern repeats as 3A district singles champ

STANWOOD — Taking second place at last week’s Wesco 3A South tennis tournament didn’t sit too well with Nick Ekern.

So the Meadowdale senior went right back to practice the next day to prepare for the district tournament.

His hard work was rewarded Wednesday afternoon, as Ekern defeated Glacier Peak’s Patrick Luangrath 6-4, 7-5 (7-3) to take his second-straight 3A District 1 title.

“He isn’t going to take time off,” said Meadowdale head coach Warren Bailey “I told him he could take a day off (last Thursday after the league tournament) to let the body recover. He said, ‘No we need to practice. We need to win districts.’”

Then Ekern went out and did just that. Ekern dropped only one set in the entire tournament, although he was close to needing a third set against Luangrath.

“It was a really good match,” Bailey said. “It was honestly one or two shots away from going to a third set.”

Luangrath got into the final by beating Shorecrest’s Nishant Limaye, the No. 1 seed from the 3A South who defeated Ekern in the Wesco 3A South title game. The Glacier Peak player hadn’t lost a set in the district tournament until going against Ekern.

In his senior year, Ekern set high goals for himself. Wednesday he accomplished the first of his lofty ambitions. The next comes at the state tournament which doesn’t get underway until May 30th.

“We set the goal pretty high for this season,” Bailey said. “We felt if we didn’t repeat at districts we wouldn’t look at it as a loss, but our goal was to win districts again. Our new goal is to finish in the top five in state.

“We like to set the bar pretty high.”

In the interim Bailey knows Ekern will continue to work hard. He thinks the senior will work on fine tuning his game before the state tournament. Bailey isn’t sure if Ekern will take a day off before then.

“I know tonight he wanted to go get a nice fat cheeseburger and some french fries,” Bailey said of the very health-conscious Ekern. “He might enjoy this one but he’s one of those kids.”

… There’s no one else I’d want out there for me or that I’d put my money on.”

Ekern wasn’t the only repeat champion at the 3A District tournament. Shorewood’s Stuart Schachle and Cameron McDowell defeated the Shorecrest doubles team of Andrew Copsey and Chris Sato 6-3, 6-4 in the title game to secure their second-straight district championship. Last season Schachle and McDowell defeated Sato and Nick North 6-3, 6-3 in the first-place game. This year, North partnered with Emahd Khan, and the duo lost to Sato and Copsey in the semifinals, but rebounded to win the third-place game.

North and Khan will play the No. 3 seed from Kingco in a crossover game to determine a state berth.

At Stanwood H.S.

Singles—Championship match: Nick Ekern (Meadowdale) def. Patrick Luangrath (Glacier Peak), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). Third-place match: Nishant Limaye (Shorecrest) def. Jonathan Spores (Stanwood), 6-0, 6-1. Consolation semifinals: Limaye (SC) def. Logan Keebler (Shorewood), 6-2, 6-1; Spores (St) def. Ulises Aceves (Everett), 6-1, 6-4. Doubles—Championship match: Stuart Schachle-Cameron McDowell (Shorewood) def. Andrew Copsey-Chris Soto (Shorecrest), 6-3, 6-4. Third-place match: Nick North-Emahd Khan (Shorecrest) def. Ethan Jones-Tucker Davis (Glacier Peak), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3. Consolation semifinals: Jones-Davis (GP) def. Brady Garcea-Bristan Kelley (Stanwood), 1-6, 6-2, 6-3; North-Khan (SC) def. Henry Jennings-Garrett Goshern (Stanwood), 6-2, 6-1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.