Wharton close to another state title

From High School Sports

Two months ago, the Wharton boys soccer team claimed the school's first-ever state team title. Now, the boys tennis program is on the verge of earning championship No. 2.

With the first of two days complete at the Class 3A state tournament in Altamonte Springs, the Wildcats are alone in first with 10 points. Ponte Vedra Beach Nease and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas are tied for second with eight. A deeper look into the brackets shows that Wharton, if it continues to play well, has an excellent change of winning. The Wildcats advanced three of five players into the singles finals (Nease also has three; St. Thomas Aquinas has two) -- and both of its doubles teams (St Thomas Aquinas has two left; Nease has one).

Who's still alive for Wharton? In singles, Mitch Wong (No. 2), Rohit Navelkar (No. 4) and Bryant Fuller (No. 5). In doubles, Michael Alford and Navelkar (No. 1) along with Wong and Alex Bartholomew (No. 2). Alford has a painful blister on his right foot that needed treatment late Wednesday afternoon, but thus far it hasn't affected his play.

Play resumes Thursday morning at 8.

Can the Wildcats earn another title? We'll know the answer sometime around noon tomorrow.

(Photo: Wharton's Michael Alford, who's still alive at No. 1 doubles, returns a serve Wednesday during the quarterfinals of the Class 3A state championships at Sanlando Park in Altamonte Springs. CHRIS LIVINGSTON | Special to the Times Click on the photo to enlarge.)

-- KEITH NIEBUHR

From High School Sports

Two months ago, the Wharton boys soccer team claimed the school's first-ever state team title. Now, the boys tennis program is on the verge of earning championship No. 2.

With the first of two days complete at the Class 3A state tournament in Altamonte Springs, the Wildcats are alone in first with 10 points. Ponte Vedra Beach Nease and Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas are tied for second with eight. A deeper look into the brackets shows that Wharton, if it continues to play well, has an excellent change of winning. The Wildcats advanced three of five players into the singles finals (Nease also has three; St. Thomas Aquinas has two) -- and both of its doubles teams (St Thomas Aquinas has two left; Nease has one).