Trenton Bulldogs win first district tennis title since ’85, 5-1 at Excelsior Springs

The Trenton Bulldogs, in Wednesday afternoon’s Class 1, District 15 boy’s tennis championship match, used two dominant doubles performances to take an early 2-1 lead against the top-seeded Excelsior Springs Tigers.  In singles play, Trenton blew away the host Tigers, sweeping three matches to reach the required five victories, ending the dual and giving the Bulldogs their first district title since 1985.

Trenton, now 11-4 on the season, will await the winner of the District 16 championship match in the Class 1 sectional round.  Bishop LeBlond will play at Maryville in the District 16 final on Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock.

In doubles play, Trenton’s #1 team of Nick Shields and Jacob Davis struggled against Seth Forstner and Lane Rogers of ESHS, falling 8-2 in what would prove to be the only victory of the day for the home team.  At #2 doubles, the Bulldog entry of Kade Ockenfels and Creed Houghton beat Casey O’Connell and Drake Simmons, 8-1, while at #3 doubles, Wyatt Neal and Gabe Swann of the Bulldogs beat Austin Clawson and Chandlor DiFalco of the Tigers, 8-2.

The closest singles match to reach its finish was the #2 match, with Trenton’s Davis beating Excelsior Springs’ Rogers 6-0, 7-5.  That win was the ‘decider’ in the match for Trenton, and finished with Davis winning three games in a row to set off a Trenton celebration.  Gabe Swann shutout his opponent (DiFalco) in the #6 singles match 6-0, 6-0, while Kade Ockenfels, playing at #3 singles, downed O’Connell 6-3, 6-1.

THS Coach David Sager said, “After a close call in the semi’s (5-4 win) with Chillicothe, the boys had much more focus and we’re determined to get a banner in the gym.  I’m very proud of my district champions and making their way farther into the post-season.”

While Trenton awaits its sectional opponent, the other Class 1 northwest Missouri sectional round battle is set, with District 13 champion Marshall meeting District 14 champion Pembroke Hill.  Marshall shutout Higginsville on Wednesday afternoon, 5-0, while Pembroke Hill clipped Barstow by a score of 5-4.

Photo credit – Twitter / @TrentonBulldogs / Excelsior Springs, MO