They're Off to States


This morning the Section 2 Boys’ champions left on a bus from SPORTIME Schenectady for the State High School Championships.  The tournament is played at the National Tennis Center - where they play the U.S. Open.  

The word of the day was excitement.  Seventh-grader Zain Choudry (Niskayuna) was the youngest member of the Section 2 team.  He told me, “I am excited about going.  I’m just going to try to have fun.” It’s a new experience for him.  As a matter of fact, it’s a new experience for all of them.  States were not held last year because of the pandemic, and of course, the whole Boys’ season was canceled the year before.  Academy’s Krishnadhev Jammula told me, “I think it will be really exciting – a new experience for me.” His fellow teammate, Zain Magdon-Ismail, had this to say, “This is my first time at States.  Last time we were one win short.  I feel like we earned it.”  

This is also the first time for Maple Hill’s Kolby Flach.  Kolby is the Sectional Coordinator.  His Maple Hill squad was the Section 2 Class B-C/D Champion.  He was also excited to be going to States.  “It’s an opportunity for our players to play some great competition.” Kolby will get help from veteran coaches Jim Neal (Niskayuna) and Curtis Snyder (Guilderland).  Through the years, they have had many great players go to States.  Previously, Jim Neal coached the State Champion Doubles team of Albert Alant and Brian Chow.  Other Boys’ State Champions from Section 2 were: Travis Boyd, Matt Treadgold, and Matt Kandath.  Good luck to all of the Section 2 Athletes.

Representing Section 2 are:

SINGLES

Krishnadhev Jammula (Albany Academy)

Mahen Bitkuri (Guilderland)

Masami Surisawa (Albany)

DOUBLES

Will Bievenue/Aaditya Ojha (Bethlehem)

Zain Choudry/Avanesh Benki (Niskayuna)

Zain Magdon-Ismail/Will Fraser (Albany Academy)


editor@518tennis.com

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