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South Jordan Journal

Young Bingham boys tennis team making mark on the court

May 08, 2018 01:34PM ● By Josh Mc Fadden

The 2018 Bingham boys tennis team: Back row: coach Steve Peterson, Caleb Youlton, Ryder Bess, Austin Burton, Jeremy Christensen, Ben Crane, Bryant Martin, Ethan Snow, Austin Cox, Jake Stutz, Mason Driscoll, coach Dave Fonda. Front row: Jacob Rosner, Cody White, Sam McCoy, Josh Peterson, Tate Pedersen, Jaxon Galli, Daniel Meluenda, Jake McCoy.

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

Last season the Bingham boys tennis team narrowly missed out on a Class 5A state championship. This year, the team has its hands full in its bid to contend for the title once again. Still, with a blend of youth and experience, Bingham is hoping for continued success.

Despite losing most of its varsity squad to graduation, Bingham has plenty of talent on this year’s team. Head coach Steve Peterson has just two seniors on the varsity team, but he is excited about his new players, who have quickly stepped up to support varsity returners Cody White and Austin Cox. Peterson is particularly happy about his doubles teams.

At first doubles, freshman Josh Peterson is teaming with White, a sophomore who played at third singles a year ago. The second doubles tandem is senior Austin Cox and junior Ben Crane. Cox was a state champion last season.

“We have very strong doubles teams,” Steve Peterson said. “We have a young team, but it’s a good opportunity for our younger players to get tremendous experience.”

Junior Ethan Snow is the team’s first singles competitor. At second singles is senior Bryant Martin. There has been a battle for the starting spot at third singles. Caleb Youlton has emerged as the starter.

Steve Peterson said ideally he’d have a few more seniors leading the way, but he also said it’s beneficial to have underclassmen getting some game action.

“It’s preferable to have at least half of the team made up of seniors,” he said. “But it’s nice to have some young players getting varsity experience. Our young players have a lot of [United States Tennis Association] experience and have played in a lot of tournaments.”

The future looks bright for the Miners as well. Not only will Steve Peterson welcome back five players to the varsity team next season, but there are other underclassmen in the program looking to make their mark in the coming years.

“We have some freshmen and sophomores in junior varsity I expect to be playing varsity next season,” Steve Peterson said.

The Miners had state champions in two of the five positions last year at state and lost to Lone Peak by just two points for the race for state champion. Steve Peterson said Lone Peak is once again the team to beat. He said the Knights have a handful of college-level players. The Miners aren’t backing down from any foes, however.

“I anticipate being competitive in region,” Steve Peterson said. “I look forward to competing.”

In addition to facing Lone Peak in Region 4, the Miners also contend with Westlake, Pleasant Grove and American Fork. The regular season ends May 3 with a home match with Lone Peak. The Region 4 tournament is on May 8 and 9. The Class 6A state tournament will be held May 17 and 19 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.