Sports
Sellmeyer Faces Tough Competition at State Tennis
The Panther senior had a tough draw and lost both of his matches in Springfield, MO.
Mehlville senior Jeremy Sellmeyer could only shake his head when he learned of his draw at the 83rd Missouri Boys Tennis Championships last weekend at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, MO.
Sellmeyer was in the top quarter of the 16-player singles draw, which also included defending and eventual champion Paul Nahon of Springfield Glendale, Dylan Steffens of Rockwood Summit, and Michael Davis, the No. 1 player on the final four team from Parkway Central. Steffens went on to win the consolation championship after losing to Nahon in the opening round.
"When I saw that draw I realized that I had zero chance of having any success," Sellmeyer said.
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As it turned out, the two opponents he played, Davis and Steffens, were both from the St. Louis area.
"I only knew a couple of players in the field, and I had to play one of them (Steffens)," Sellmeyer said. "Everyone else was new."
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Davis was one of those new players. The senior was a former doubles state medalist and was recognized as the top player in St. Louis coming into the season although he has been bothered by a sore shoulder.
Davis won the first round match, 6-1, 6-0.
"Michael was a very good player, and he controlled most of the points from the baseline," Sellmeyer said.
Sellmeyer then fell to Steffens 6-0, 6-1 in the first round of consolation and was eliminated in the double-elimination tournament.
"I had played Dylan and knew how tough he was," Sellmeyer said. "I actually pushed him pretty hard. There were a lot of deuce points and that is where his experience and level of play was evident."
Sellmeyer, who will attend Maryville University in the fall, spent the rest of the day as a spectator.
"I couldn't believe the setup," Sellmeyer said. "It was a great place, and it was fun seeing all the great players from around the state. I watched some of Nahon, and he is an incredible player. I am sure he will do well in college," he said. Nahon will be attending Richmond University. "I also saw some of (Class 1 singles champion) Charlie Curtis and watched some of the doubles match between Lafayette and Kirkwood," Sellmeyer said.
"It was definitely a learning experience for me but one that I enjoyed and will always remember."
