High school tennis: Brighton, Rowland Hall tennis favorites

Some spring sports hardware will be given out this weekend as two tennis classifications are holding their state tournaments.

The 5A boys championships start Friday at 8:30 a.m. in Liberty Park, while the 2A/1A boys begin Saturday at 9 a.m. at BYU's tennis courts.

5A

When it comes to high school tennis, the Brighton Bengals are at the top of their game. Behind coach Natalie Aposhian, Brighton has dominated the state tournament, reaping five straight team titles, and looks to roll to a sixth championship this weekend at Liberty Park.

Brighton finished the regular season undefeated and swept all the top seeds in the region tournament.

"They were serious about getting region play out of the way to get to state," said Aposhian. "After playing everyone multiple times already this season, we feel ready moving into the tournament."

The race for second could be just as exciting with Bingham, Lone Peak and Cottonwood all returning great teams to this weekend's state matches. Christiaan Noot returns for his senior season for Pleasant Grove, and last year's title loss to Brighton's Grant Taylor is surely not forgotten.

Keaton Cullimore headlines the Brighton squad at first singles, with Taylor and Dan Johnston competing in second and third singles.

A junior, Cullimore has been at the top of his game since he made his 2009 debut as a freshman sweeping past opponents en route to the title. Since then, it seems as though nobody has been able to touch the versatile Cullimore.

Second singles will feature Taylor seeking his fourth consecutive state title, and if the co-captain keeps the same composure as he had in last year's tournament, it's definitely within grasp.

Johnston will get his shot at redemption in third singles after last year's title loss.

"I think Dan is out to make sure he doesn't take second," Aposhian said. "He has done very well this year and has raised his playing level big time."

With all the hype surrounding the Bengals, coach Aposhian stressed the importance of respecting each and every opponent.

"These boys are great students, and true gentlemen on the court, and they show a great amount of respect to all of their competitors."