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Every team, or in this case, player wants to peak at the end of the season. Phil Beitler was well aware of that, so when the junior made it to the section finals before falling in straight sets to Jared Wiklund of Duluth East, nobody was surprised.

Beitler got things going last Wednesday in Hibbing with a three set win over Sean Turner of Duluth East. Seeded number one in the south, Beitler battled back for the win after dropping the first set to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Beitler rolled through his next match, winning in straight sets over Joe Stejskal of Grand Rapids, 6-3, 6-2. Stejskal eliminated Matt Fletcher of North Branch in the first round winning 6-4, 6-3.

Seeded number one in the north, Wiklund had breezed through the first two rounds including a straight set win over Britt Baumann in the semifinals, 6-2, 6-1. Wiklund showed why he was the favorite to win the individual section title, gaining control early in the match en route to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Beitler, picking up the championship and advancing to the state tournament.

In the third place match, Stejskal defeated Baumann 7-5, 7-5. Baumann was the number two seed out of the south going in to the tournament.

In doubles play, Marcus Burgin and Steve Pieper ran into a buzz saw in their first match, losing to the Pete and Nick Hanson of Duluth East in straight sets. The Hanson’s went onto win the doubles championship, moving to this weeks state tournament. Duluth East also won the section team title, defeating Forest Lake 5-2.

Section 7AA Tennis Tournament

Team Championship:

Duluth East def. Forest Lake 5-2

*Duluth East advances to state

Individual Results

(CL & NB only):

Singles- First round:

Beitler (CL) def. Turner (DE)

4-6, 6-4, 6-2

Baumann (NB) def. Sterle (HI)

5-7, 7-5, 6-2

Stejskal (GR) def. Fletcher (NB)

6-4, 6-3

Singles- Semifinals:

Wiklund (DE) def. Baumann

6-2, 6-1

Beitler def. Stejskal (GR)

6-3, 6-2

Singles- Finals:

Wiklund (DE) def. Beitler

6-2, 6-2

*Wiklund advances to state

Singles- Third Place:

Stejskal (GR) def. Baumann

7-5, 7-5

Doubles- First Round:

Hanson/Hanson (DE)

def. Burgin/Pieper 6-2, 6-2

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