2019 has been a great season thus far, with a couple upsets here and there, but mostly, the weather has been much better. Yes, there was a bit of snow two days ago..overall it has been a much nicer spring. Funny to say that because I think rain is called for a lot this week, nonetheless, meets will be played at some point! As we ramp up for post season, district assignments came out last week and this is a time we can take a little bit of a closer look on teams and players that could keep their seasons alive.
*The following rankings of teams are based on the blog rankings from April 23*
Teams: Atlantic, #8 Clarinda, Creston-OM, Glenwood, #10 Norwalk, Red Oak, Shenandoah, Southwest Valley
First up we have the Atlantic district. I think this is a fairly straight forward site where Clarinda will be the favorite to come out on top as a team. Next in line to compete in a spot for substate should be Norwalk and Atlantic. I think this will be a pretty good match in the preliminary substate round with a substate spot on the line. Nile Peterson of Atlantic and AJ Clarkwitt of Norwalk could be a couple of players to look out for in the singles draw, both being capable of qualifying for state.
Teams: #4 Ballard, #7 Boone, Iowa Falls-Alden, North Polk, Saydel, South Hardin, South Tama County, Webster City
Site no. 2 we have two top 10 teams in Ballard and Boone. It is no question that both Ballard and Boone will advance to the substate round, but which team will come out with the district title is an interesting question. Ballard def. Boone 6-5 earlier this season in a tight meet and I expect both teams to get some players to the state tournament. Caleb Hamerlinck the Central College commit from Ballard, as well as Evan Moon from North Polk will most likely meet in the singles final here. Both threats to go deep into state.
Site: Denison-Schleswig
Teams: Audubon, Bishop Heelan, #6 Denison-Schleswig, Harlan, Kuemper Catholic, #9 St. Albert, Storm Lake
Here is a site that I think will be pretty competitive. Both Denison-Schleswig and St. Albert will most likely advance to substate with one of them knocking out Kuemper in the preliminary round. I think Denison-Schleswig, St. Albert and Kuemper will be competing to get singles and doubles entries into the state tournament. Reed Miller from St. Albert is one to watch and I will predict that he is the favorite to win the singles district draw. Besides Miller, the other 3 state entries are up for grabs.
Site: Fairfield
Teams: Centerville, Davis County, Fairfield, Fort Madison, Keokuk, Mount Pleasant, Burlington ND
This site along with the Spencer site are the two that I know the least about. Neither site features a top 10 team but that doesn't mean there are no good programs from these sites. A couple teams in this district that have had nice seasons thus far are Fort Madison and Mount Pleasant. FM currently is undefeated on the year and Mt Pleasant has only two losses both against FM. This is a great opportunity for both of these teams to get some individual state entries and move on to the substate rounds. FM and Mt. Pleasant are my picks to move on.
Site: Knoxville
Teams: Albia, Chariton, Clarke, Grinnell, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, #3 Pella.
An intriguing meet today between #3 Pella and Grinnell as I write this. Grinnell has just one loss this year in Boone but came up with a nice win against #10 Norwalk last week. Pella and Grinnell should be the front runners to continue into post-season play from this district. Pella will get a state qualifier out of Jordan Roozeboom, but after that, I do think both these teams gets some state qualifiers, but there is the opportunity from some other players to grab a state berth.
Site: Spencer
Teams: Cherokee, Clear Lake, Estherville, LeMars, Spencer, Spirit Lake, St. Edmond FD
Spencer lies the 2nd district I do not know too much about. That being said I think this could be quite a competitive district in terms of getting entries to the state tournament. LeMars and Spirit Lake each only have one setback this year and that is to each other (they have played twice). Clear Lake has traditionally had some good teams in years past as well, with that I think these three teams are the favorites to get to preliminary substate and substate but I have no idea which order.
Site: Wahlert
Teams: Davenport Assumption, Camanche, Maquoketa, Marion, La Porte City, #2 Wahlert, #1 Xavier
This. THIS DISTRICT IS INSANE! Easily to most loaded and controversial site this year with the #1 and #2 teams in attendance, along with the likes of past 1A powerhouses of Assumption and Camanche. Wahlert and Xavier just had a brutal battle this past week with the Eagles coming out with a 5-4 victory. It's a shame only one of them will make it to the final four this year and that the association didn't separate the teams. Wahlert and Xavier should get multiple entries into state this year, being led by the likes of Charlier Fair from the Eagles.
Site: Waverly-Shell Rock
Teams: Aplington-Parkersburg, #5 Columbus, Decorah, Grundy Center, Hampton-Dumont, Independence, Oelwein, Waverly-Shell Rock
Our last of the eight 1A districts will be held at Waverly-Shell Rock. A pretty strong site we have led by #5 Columbus and featuring other successful programs. There is no question who the singles winner will be, Cam Luhring from AP, but his runner-up most likely will be Daniel Buchanan of Columbus. Luhring dealt with injuries last spring and was unable to play, here in his high school season debut is the heavy favorite for this district and the state tournament. Columbus narrowly defeated AP, and Grundy Center has had a nice season so far as well and I think these will be the three teams competing for substate spots.
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