Carroll Box Score
Lawrence Box Score

MADISON, Wis. – The Grinnell College men's tennis team claimed its 10th Midwest Conference title in a row Friday with a pair of convincing wins at the Nielsen Tennis Center.

The Pioneers stopped Carroll University 5-1 in the semifinals in the morning, and then rolled past Lawrence University 5-0 in the title match in the afternoon. The title gives the 22-11 Pioneers the league's automatic bid for the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

In the win over Carroll, Grinnell got out to a 2-1 lead after doubles play with victories from the No. 2 tandem of Tracy Johnson '16 and Colin Johnson '13 (8-5) and No.3  team of Benjamin Charney '15-Aaron Lapkin '15 (8-2).

Grinnell completed the win with singles victories by Emilio Gomez '15 at No. 2 (6-4, 6-3), C.J. Ray '16 at No. 4 (6-1, 6-2) and Tracy Johnson at No. 5 (6-1, 6-4).

The Pioneers got out to a fast start against Lawrence by sweeping doubles with the teams of Elliott Czarnecki '15-Gomez (8-2), Colin Johnson-Tracy Johnson (8-6) and Charney-Lapkin (8-5).

The win was finished off with singles victories by Ray at No. 4 (6-4, 6-3) and Charlie Wilhelm '15 at No. 6 (6-2, 6-2).

“I am extremely pleased for both this year's team and the College that we were able to complete a decade-long string of titles,” said Grinnell coach Andy Hamilton. “Today was a day where we had all nine players in our lineup performing well that played out in a lot of different ways. In particular, I was very pleased to sweep Lawrence in doubles which gave us a little bit breathing room to finish off the championship with a couple of singles points.

“Nos. 2 and 3 doubles were extremely tight, but our guys showed good mettle and no doubt our tough schedule helped us prevail in those matches,” he continued. “And then for our No. 1 doubles team to come up with such a big and decisive win against Lawrence was very pleasing for me because those are a couple of hard-working guys in Elliott and Emilio.

“I'm extremely pleased for Daniel Nellis '13 and Colin Johnson, our two senior captains who have shown great leadership throughout the year,' he added. “This is a very young team and the maturation of some of our young players is the direct result of the leadership and mentoring these two players have given them.

“Two of our first-years really stepped up today, Tracy Johnson in both of his doubles matches and putting a singles point on the board against Carroll, and C.J. Ray in both of his singles matches, who put points on the board for the program today,” Hamilton continued. “I was very pleased for them. It shows we have a nice future ahead of us. I'm also extremely pleased that Emilio and Elliott looked good in both singles and doubles. Emilio scored a point for us in the first match in singles and Elliott won sets at No. 1 singles but didn't finish his match.

“It's kind of fun for the coach at Grinnell College when the final two points that go on the board for a championship were rung up by Iowans in C.J. Ray and Grinnell local Charlie Wilhelm,” he concluded. “We've always had an Iowan in our lineup during my time as the coach, starting in 1996, and it is exciting to have Iowans contribute to our success.”


The tourney continues Saturday and Sunday with singles and doubles play.