Walton will try to accomplish a rare feat on Saturday at the Georgia High School Association’s tennis championships. The Raiders will attempt to become the first school in the largest classification to win the boys and girls titles in the same season since they last did it in 2002.
“We’re so excited,” Walton girls coach Christy Lewis said. “(The boys) had an awesome match in the semifinals. These girls have been playing together for four years and they’re looking to go out on top.”
The Walton boys have won 10 state championships, the last coming in 2002. The Walton girls have set the standard for the bigger schools with 16 titles, including the last two in Class AAAAAA, and have won championships in 12 of the last 14 years.
Walton’s powerful lineup includes three singles players who will compete in college: Suzanne Zenoni (Elon), Bella Kuse (Richmond) and Johanna Keeline (Concordia). The No. 1 doubles team is made up of sophomore twins Emily Gaskins and Grace Gaskins. The No. 2 doubles team is Jessica Cramer (California-San Diego signee) and Sophia Guldberg.
Walton’s girls will meet Kennesaw Mountain in the championship game. The Raiders defeated the Mustangs in the state semifinals last year.
The Walton boys have won 10 state titles, but are seeking their first since 2002. They reached the title game by defeating Lowndes 3-0 in the semifinals. The Walton boys are undefeated and will meet Northview, who won last year’s AAAAA title for the championship.
All state championships will be held at the Clayton County International Park in Jonesboro. Competition begins at 8:45 a.m.
Five of the reigning boys champions and five of the reigning girls champions return to defend their titles.
In Class AAAAA, Starr’s Mill has its boys and girls in the final; the girls won it all last year, the boys did so in 2013. The Lakeside-Evans boys and Cambridge girls seek their first championships.
In Class AAAA, rivals Marist and St. Pius meet in the boys final; Marist won the title last year, while St. Pius won state in AAA. Buford’s girls are seeking their first championship and will play Woodward Academy, which won its last of three titles in 2011.
In Class AAA, Westminster and Blessed Trinity will play for the boys and girls championships. Westminster boys and girls are defending titles, as are the Blessed Trinity girls.
In Class AA, all the teams are from Region 6. Pace Academy and Greater Atlanta Christian play for the boys championship, while Lovett and Wesleyan meet in the girls final.
In Class A Public, Taylor County and Drew Charter will play for the boys title, with Baconton meeting defending champion Irwin County in the girls finale.
In Class A Private, defending champion Brookstone meets Stratford Academy in the boys final, with Brookstone playing Athens Academy for the girls title.
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