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Hernando Today

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: June 6, 2008

Updated: 06/05/2008 09:11 pm

Envelope, please.

Wow. No shock here.

For the past three seasons, one male middle school tennis program team has excelled on the local courts -- Challenger K-8.

In fact, for the second straight season, the Navigators captured the six-team Hernando County Middle School Athletic Conference boys tennis championship by finishing 9-0.

What was equally impressive was how Challenger K-8 macheted the opposition.

The Navigators captured 98 percent (48-of-49) of their matches in singles and doubles action this year.

Former Hernando High Head Coach Brett Teitelman, who guided the Leopards to five district championships before relocating to Challenger K-8, is the architectural engineer. He's won 96 percent (22-of-23) of his matches in three seasons.

In 2006, the Navigators captured their first five matches before dropping a 5-2 verdict at home against Parrott.

Challenger closed out the season with two more wins to finish 7-1 overall. That tied them with Parrott for the county title.

In 2007, the Navigators did not lose a match extending their win streak to 10 in a row by finishing with an unblemished 8-0 slate.

Last year, Challenger K-8 captured 24-of-28 singles matches (86 percent) and a whopping 19-of-21 doubles matches (91 percent).

Now, fast forward to 2008.

Challenger extended its current win skein to 19 matches in a row.

Is it any wonder that instead of seven all-star selections it received in 2007, it garnered nine this time by the area coaches and the Hernando Today staff for the annual All-County All-Star squad.

Teitelman, Napolitano head the list

Highlighting the list is Teitelman, who was easily honored as the repeat pick as Coach of the Year.

"He's very consistent," shared West Hernando Head Coach Cheryl Paradis. "He has very high expectations. He makes sure his kids play during the off-season. It's not like he starts coaching during the season; he runs a year-round program. It's a different atmosphere at Challenger than the other schools."

"He's got a nice set up at Challenger," added Parrott Head Coach Allen Platt. "They've got great facilities, they have very supportive parents that are willing to give their kids extra lessons to get better. It's not like that everywhere else. He's (Teitelman) done a great job there."

"I'm very fortunate to be where I am at," acknowledged Teitelman, a Crystal River resident. "We've got a great support network here. We have great parents. But bottom line, our kids work Monday to Friday on the game -- and not just during the season."

Seven of the eight Navigator all-stars were first-time selectees led by Garrett Napolitano.

Napolitano turned heads by finishing his first season of middle school tennis unbeaten featuring a 7-0 mark in singles play at No. 1 singles and posting an identical 7-0 slate at No. 1 doubles action.

"I think Napolitano is beatable," explained Coach Platt. "But I don't have an athlete who could. He's on par with the skills Chris (Nyholm) had when he was here with us. He's gonna get stronger and then he'll be unbelievable."

"He's had good sportsmanship," emphasized Coach Paradis. "He never made his success difficult for his opponents. He never said or did anything to show up his opponents. You watch him and you see he tries his hardest. He deserved this (POY)."

"He received our Rookie of the Year award," noted Coach Teitelman. "I think he still needs to improve mentally. He doesn't have the killer instinct on the courts yet. Once he gets it, he'll pound people to death. Right now, he lets his opponents hang around too long."

Wilkes named twice

Another two-way threat was seventh-grader Rich Wilkes.

Wilkes, who did not play tennis last season, finished 7-0 at No. 2 singles and teamed with Napolitano for a perfect campaign at No. 1 doubles.

"It was tough to beat those guys in doubles," explained Teitelman. "Both are top notch players. And as long as they remain friends they could remain at the top next year."

How solid was Wilkes?

"He received our MVP award this year. It'll be great competition between him and Garrett for the No. 1 position again next year," shared Teitelman. "Rich is an aggressive player, plus he's a great athlete. He's rides BMX, pitches for Dixie baseball and I heard he'll be playing golf next year, too."

Like Napolitano and Wilkes, seventh-grader Adam Schuster did not play for the Navigators in 2007.

In his first year of play, Schuster finished 7-0 at No. 3 singles.

"Adam had a great year," described Teitelman. "He seemed like he came from behind to win several matches. He too, has a shot at playing in the No. 1 singles position next year. His consistency and overall athleticism helped him improve his skills since day one."

At No. 4 singles, Challenger unveiled yet another first-year starter in seventh-grader Kyle Bugden.

Kyle is the younger brother of NCT frosh sensation Kaitlyn Bugden, and finished 5-1 at No. 4 singles to be named to the all-star squad.

"He's from a tennis family," said Teitelman. "He's developing his consistency. Physically, he's a in a growth cycle. Once his body catches up to his skills that will help his power and his game."

Besides Coach Teitelman, the only other repeat all-star from 2007 was seventh-grader Carl Zee.

Zee teamed with Jacob Galoci for the county's best No. 3 doubles squad in 2007.

This year, Zee teamed up with eighth-grader Josh Weaver as the county's finest No. 2 doubles team at 3-0.

"I hate to see Josh graduate," Teitelman said. "I'm sure he'll do well next year at HCA. As for Carl, he's a second-year player. Once he turns the corner physically, I think he'll be an outstanding player."

At No. 3 doubles, seventh-graders John Barta and Jeron Impresso finished unbeaten at 4-0.

"These two guys try to play year-round," Teitelman said. "And both guys excel in extra curricular activities and maintain 'A' averages. They could play an even larger role next year."

Panthers: Campbell, Brunner

Rounding out this year's all-star squad is a pair of eighth-graders from Powell Middle School: Matt Campbell and Andrew Brunner.

Campbell, who did not play for the Panthers in 2007, helped guide Powell to a second-place tie with Parrott at 6-3 overall.

Despite never playing middle school tennis, Campbell finished 7-2 overall in singles action.

"He's an all-around great athlete," indicated Coach Roberts. "He took to tennis like he was a natural and he was a very dedicated player to the team. I know he likes soccer, but Matt is extremely coachable and he was very well liked by his teammates."

Of all the all-stars named this year, the one with the most singles wins in 2007 (5) was Brunner.

This year, Brunner improved to 6-2 overall. He and Campbell were the 1-2 punch for the Panthers.

"Andrew stepped up his game this year," said Coach Roberts. "He's knowledgeable about the game and he shared his knowledge with his teammates. He also took his leadership responsibilities to heart. Both Matt and Andrew were good friends on and off the court. They were a great tandem. I'm gonna miss 'em."

2008 Hernando Today All-County Middle School Boys Tennis Selections
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

Singles
POS. PLAYER SCHOOL YR. WON LOST .PCT
No. 1 - Garrett Napolitano CHAL 6th 7 0 1.000
No. 2 - Rich Wilkes CHAL 7th 7 0 1.000
No. 3 - Adam Schuster CHAL 7th 7 0 1.000
No. 4 - Kyle Bugden CHAL 7th 5 1 .833
UTIL - Matt Campbell POW 8th 7 2 .778
UTIL - Andrew Brunner POW 8th 6 2 .775

Doubles
POS. PLAYERS/SCHOOL YRS. WON LOST .PCT
No. 1 - Napolitano/Wilkes, CHAL 6th-7th 7 0 1.000
No. 2 - Carl Zee*/Josh Weaver, CHAL 7th-8th 3 0 1.000
No. 3 - John Barta/Jeron Impresso, CHAL 7th-7th 4 0 1.000

Player of the Year - Garrett Napolitano, Challenger K-8
Coach of the Year - Brett Teitelman*, Challenger K-8
* Denotes 2007 All-County Selection

2007 Hernando Today All-County Middle School Boys Tennis Selections
Singles
POS. PLAYER SCHOOL YR. WON LOST .PCT
No. 1 - Simon Toftegaard CHAL 8th 7 0 1.000
No. 2 - Jared DeBusk POW 8th 8 0 1.000
No. 3 - Andrew Lund CHAL 8th 6 1 .857
No. 4 - Anthony Stellato POW 8th 8 0 1.000
UTIL - Zack Teele PAR 8th 5 2 .714
UTIL - Vince Owens FC 8th 4 2 .667

Doubles
POS. PLAYERS/SCHOOL YRS. WON LOST .PCT
No. 1 - Toftegaard/James Wert, CHAL 8th-8th 7 0 1.000
No. 2 - Lund/Nick Napolitano, CHAL 8th-8th 6 1 .857
No. 3 - Jacob Galoci/Carl Zee, CHAL 8th-6th 4 1 .800

Player of the Year - Simon Toftegaard, Challenger K-8
Coach of the Year - Brett Teitelman, Challenger K-8

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at (352) 544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com

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