MONROE - In perfect weekend weather for tennis, 43-year-old insurance agent Al Schroeder won his 6th straight Monroe Park and Recreation city singles tennis tournament. His opponent in the finals was 25-year-old Joe Soddy, an education major at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Soddy jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set only to see Schroeder chip away and come back to win the first set in 1 1/2 hours, 7-6 in a tie-breaker.
"It was the longest first set I can remember," said Jim Bartholf, the organizer of the event for the past 40 years.
Schroeder advanced to the finals by defeating Chris Garrow and Soddy advanced to the finals with his win over Kevin Monahan. Monahan took third place with his win over Chris Garrow, and Willie Noriega won consolation honors by defeating Steve Flanagan.
In the Class B Mens bracket, junior Jess Hager defeated freshman Kevin Noriega in the finals for the championship. It was the same finalist as last year only with Noriega winning the championship in 2010.
Skott Kesler, a graduating senior at Freeport, won third place with his win over freshman Jeremy Miller. Consolation honors went to Christian Noriega, who beat Ben Guptil. There also was a girls exhibition match, with Chelsea Miller defeating Monica Sefcik.
The 14-and-under bracket was canceled due to lack of numbers.
Area players are reminded of the upcoming doubles tournament July 16-17.
Soddy jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first set only to see Schroeder chip away and come back to win the first set in 1 1/2 hours, 7-6 in a tie-breaker.
"It was the longest first set I can remember," said Jim Bartholf, the organizer of the event for the past 40 years.
Schroeder advanced to the finals by defeating Chris Garrow and Soddy advanced to the finals with his win over Kevin Monahan. Monahan took third place with his win over Chris Garrow, and Willie Noriega won consolation honors by defeating Steve Flanagan.
In the Class B Mens bracket, junior Jess Hager defeated freshman Kevin Noriega in the finals for the championship. It was the same finalist as last year only with Noriega winning the championship in 2010.
Skott Kesler, a graduating senior at Freeport, won third place with his win over freshman Jeremy Miller. Consolation honors went to Christian Noriega, who beat Ben Guptil. There also was a girls exhibition match, with Chelsea Miller defeating Monica Sefcik.
The 14-and-under bracket was canceled due to lack of numbers.
Area players are reminded of the upcoming doubles tournament July 16-17.
