Norwich boys capture Section IV Class B title
Boys’ Tennis
OWEGO – Just two years ago, Norwich was an at-large independent team jumping back into varsity tennis after a long absence. Now, the Purple Tornado netters are the best Class B team in Section IV.
Norwich’s dominance in singles and doubles was so impressive on Saturday, it clinched the team points title before the championship round was completed. Due to darkness, the singles and doubles finals and the consolation finals will wrap up today in Owego. All Norwich can do at this point is extend an already lofty advantage over second-place Owego.
“I’m just incredibly proud of these kids. It was definitely Norwich’s day on the courts,” said Tornado head coach, John Stewart. “I felt a good goal for us would be third place, and finishing second would exceed expectations. I never really thought first was within our grasps. The stars were aligned, we fought as hard as anyone, and it just paid off.”
Norwich senior Eli Craig advanced to the finals, as did eighth-graders Zan and Colin Stewart in doubles. Matt Craig, also an eighth-grader, made an impressive run in his first sectional tournament reaching the semifinals. Norwich’s second doubles team, Sal Cole and Roman Cwynar, added to the point count with a first-round victory.
Cole and Cwynar won their first-round battle early Saturday morning in a match that was continued from Thursday’s action. Matt Craig already had a win in the books from Thursday, and he set up the Tornado’s run to the title upsetting fifth-seeded Joshua Fisher of Owego in three sets, 0-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semis.
Eli Craig breezed in his first-round match, but needed three sets in the quarterfinals to top Evan Piccano of Chenango Forks. Given only 25 minutes rest, Craig was back on the court for his semifinals matchup against Maine-Endwell’s Aaron Weintraub. Craig lost to Weintraub in an exhibition practice match earlier in the week, but handled Weintraub in two close sets, 7-5, 7-6 (4).
The two Stewarts had little trouble in their Saturday matches sweeping every set to reach the finals. “I think Matt Craig beating a senior and Roman and Sal winning their first match really set the tone for us,” Coach Stewart said. “I think our boys just wanted it more than everyone else. It’s been at least 20 years since we won a sectional team title. It’s just amazing.”
The top three place finishers in singles and doubles advance to next week’s Section IV state qualifier. Eli Craig and the Stewarts have already nailed down spots, and Matt Craig can earn a spot as well with a win in his third-place consolation match.
OWEGO – Just two years ago, Norwich was an at-large independent team jumping back into varsity tennis after a long absence. Now, the Purple Tornado netters are the best Class B team in Section IV.
Norwich’s dominance in singles and doubles was so impressive on Saturday, it clinched the team points title before the championship round was completed. Due to darkness, the singles and doubles finals and the consolation finals will wrap up today in Owego. All Norwich can do at this point is extend an already lofty advantage over second-place Owego.
“I’m just incredibly proud of these kids. It was definitely Norwich’s day on the courts,” said Tornado head coach, John Stewart. “I felt a good goal for us would be third place, and finishing second would exceed expectations. I never really thought first was within our grasps. The stars were aligned, we fought as hard as anyone, and it just paid off.”
Norwich senior Eli Craig advanced to the finals, as did eighth-graders Zan and Colin Stewart in doubles. Matt Craig, also an eighth-grader, made an impressive run in his first sectional tournament reaching the semifinals. Norwich’s second doubles team, Sal Cole and Roman Cwynar, added to the point count with a first-round victory.
Cole and Cwynar won their first-round battle early Saturday morning in a match that was continued from Thursday’s action. Matt Craig already had a win in the books from Thursday, and he set up the Tornado’s run to the title upsetting fifth-seeded Joshua Fisher of Owego in three sets, 0-6, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the semis.
Eli Craig breezed in his first-round match, but needed three sets in the quarterfinals to top Evan Piccano of Chenango Forks. Given only 25 minutes rest, Craig was back on the court for his semifinals matchup against Maine-Endwell’s Aaron Weintraub. Craig lost to Weintraub in an exhibition practice match earlier in the week, but handled Weintraub in two close sets, 7-5, 7-6 (4).
The two Stewarts had little trouble in their Saturday matches sweeping every set to reach the finals. “I think Matt Craig beating a senior and Roman and Sal winning their first match really set the tone for us,” Coach Stewart said. “I think our boys just wanted it more than everyone else. It’s been at least 20 years since we won a sectional team title. It’s just amazing.”
The top three place finishers in singles and doubles advance to next week’s Section IV state qualifier. Eli Craig and the Stewarts have already nailed down spots, and Matt Craig can earn a spot as well with a win in his third-place consolation match.
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