Jonathan Tat is heading back to the Class 3A state tennis championships for the second year in a row.
The Shorecrest sophomore earned a return trip by placing second at last week’s Northwest District 3A singles tournament.
Tat defeated the Northwest 3A League’s fourth and second seeds by identical 6-2, 6-3 scores in the first two rounds to reach the Nov. 1 finals at Bellingham Tennis Club.
But two-time defending district champion Ari Adelstein was too much for Tat and the Sehome junior claimed a third straight singles title with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.
“(Adelstein) was head and shoulders above everybody else, but Jonathan was clearly the second-best player, which is still pretty good,” Shorecrest coach Jeff Allen said.
Tat teamed up with a senior and advanced to state in doubles as a freshman last year, but opted for singles this season.
“He had his mind made up early to give singles a shot,” Allen said.
The 3A state championships are scheduled for the final weekend in May at the University of Washington. Facing a seven-month layoff doesn’t phase Tat.
“He’ll play all through the winter,” Allen said. “It gives him something to look forward to at the end of the school year.”
Shorecrest also sent two doubles teams to Northwest Districts, but neither qualified for state.
Seniors Robert Hildebrand and Spencer Huang split a pair of three-setters before being ousted in the consolation semifinals.
Sophomore Kevin Jacobson and junior Guy Morita dropped both of their matches in straight sets.
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