Neuman, Hager advance to state tennis tournament

SANDUSKY - Elida's Evan Neuman won the Division II boys tennis district crown at Port Clinton on Saturday to earn a berth in the state tournament. Meanwhile, Wapakoneta's Alex Hager took runner-up in the Division I tournament, played at the same site, and will make his second singles appearance at state.

Neuman and Hager will play in the OHSAA state tournament beginning Friday at OSU's Stickney Tennis Center. Shawnee's Sam Rutter finished fourth in Division II, where the top three finishers advanced to state.

Neuman is the first singles player to win the district crown in Shawnee's history. In three seasons, Neuman has not lost a match at the district tournament in three seasons. He and his brother, Landon, won the doubles titles the last two seasons.

Neuman defeated Joey Aubry of Ottawa Hills 6-3, 6-1 in the final round after beating Evan Bechtel of Ottawa Hills 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinals.

Rutter lost to Aubry 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the semis then fell to Buchtel 6-0, 7-6 (6) in the third-place match.

In Division I, Hager defeated Rob Jorgenson of Toledo St. John's 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the semifinals. In the finals, Hager lost a 6-2, 6-1 match to Lexington's Nicky Wong.