RHS Sports recap: Wednesday, May 22

Boys’ tennis: Rhinelander T-5th/15, WIAA Subsectionals

Joey Belanger and Dalton Fritz are heading to the WIAA state boys’ tennis tournament following a third-place finish at No. 1 doubles for the RHS boys’ tennis team Wednesday during WIAA Division 1 sectional play in Eau Claire.

The Hodag pair clinched their berth with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Hudson’s Henry Mechelke and Noah Brueske in the sectional quarterfinals. After a straight-set loss in the semifinals, the Hodag pair edged River Falls’ Henry Whipkey and Sam Majerus 6-7, 7-5, 10-8 in the third place match.

Overall the Hodags had five flights at sectionals and tied for fifth. John Currie lost his only match at No. 1 singles in straight sets to Menomonie’s Isaac Johnson. Dawson Pontell and Gavin Denis took third at No. 2 doubles, splitting matches that went to match tiebreakers. Payton McCue and Zacha King were fourth at Nos. 3 and 4 singles, respectively.

For Belanger and Fritz, the WIAA state tournament will begin next Thursday in Madison. Their opening round opponent will be announced this coming weekend.

A full report will be published in Tuesday’s River News.