Winged Lions tie for 1A/2A title

Showing great mental fortitude, the Rowland Hall-St. Mark's Winged Lions rebounded from a 13-11 deficit after the semifinals to tie Waterford for the 1A/2A state tennis championship.

Considering either the Winged Lions or Ravens have won the state championship every year between 2001 and 2006, and with Waterford moving up to compete at the 3A level next year, it was almost appropriate to end the rivalry with a tie at the top.

"It's pretty fitting because we've gone back and forth over the years," Rowland Hall head coach Tim Sleeper said. "We love having the matches and meets with Waterford because they bring us to a higher level. I'm definitely sorry to see them go."

In true comeback fashion, the championship came down to the final match of the day — the second doubles final. With only points from the second doubles final left to be accumulated, Rowland Hall had 13 points, Waterford had 15 and Manti had 13. Rowland Hall's Harvard-bound senior, Lawrence Benjamin, playing with a first-time partner in junior Robert Thompson, came back from a first-set loss to defeat the Manti sophomore tandem of Nick Tibbs and Griffin Aste to clinch the championship for the Winged Lions. Benjamin is pleased he ended his senior season having brought the championship back to Rowland Hall.

"My freshman team was good — part of the four straight years dynasty, but my sophomore and junior years we took second," Benjamin said. "So, seeing as it was my senior year, I was elated by the opportunity to get to play for it, and I am really glad and proud that we won."

Benjamin's customary partner, senior Kieran Light, had to pull out of the competition the night before state due to a back injury.

"Kieran did the noble and grown-up thing and backed down to let Rob Thompson in there," Sleeper said. "He'd been battling the back problem most of the season, and he knew he couldn't compete at his best."

Benjamin was initially apprehensive about playing with a new partner, but Thompson put any doubts to rest right away.

"Rob played his heart out," Benjamin said. "He's a great kid and great to play with. He also showed poise and hit the winning shot right up the middle."

Headed into finals play, the Winged Lions were facing two must-win matches. Besides the second doubles, Rowland Hall also needed a win at third singles from freshman Matt Bossart, who showed great composure and came through with a 6-0, 6-7 (7-0), 6-3 win over Manti senior Jordan Vanorman.