Baumler, Mathers lead

By Dean Wong

There's tight competition for the number one singles position on the Ballard Beavers boys team and that's good news for the depth on the roster.

Kevin Baumler and Alex Mathers have been playing challenge matches to determine the top spot and both are good enough to lead the six singles positions.

Mathers has wins over his Roosevelt, Redmond, Woodinville and Lake Washington opponents. He has teamed up with Neal Berg for two wins in doubles so far this season.

Baumler has singles wins against Redmond and Inglemoor, as well as two doubles wins with Nick Rice.

"Kevin is doing great. He has gotten stronger as the year has gone on," said Head Coach Brad Hamilton.

During the season, Baumler has held onto the number one singles position, but was expected to go through a challenge match with Mathers. The winner would be number one for the last two matches of the regular season.

"Kevin and Alex are neck to neck. A challenge match will determine who is number one," said Hamilton.

Hamilton said Mathers would give Baumler a run for the money.

As a team, Ballard has defeated Redmond 6-3 and Inglemoor 5-4. The Beavers have lost team matches to Eastlake, Roosevelt, Lake Washington and Woodinville.

"We are doing good. The guys get along well, there's camaraderie. We're real tight, I never had a team so tight," said Hamilton.

Last year Neal Berg made the team as a freshman. This year he is holding down the number four position and Hamilton feels he will be strong for his last two years at Ballard.

Baumler and Mathers will represent Ballard at districts in singles.

Berg and Mathers are the team's top doubles combination and will be at districts. Hamilton said the duo has showed great teamwork since early in the year.

The second doubles team will be Baumler and either Erick Taylor or Rice.