Colorado Tennis Team Wins Second Title Despite Injuries

Colorado Academy's tennis team swept their way to a second straight state championship Tuesday, and the best part? Most of these champions are just getting started.

The Mustangs dominated Peak to Peak 4-0 at Denver Tennis Park to claim the Class 4A boys tennis title. Seven matches, seven opening sets won, and a statement made that this program isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Junior Henrik Jordaan played through the championship despite a shoulder injury serious enough that he had to serve underhand. Instead of sitting out, he adjusted his entire game around the limitation. The result? An individual state title days earlier, then a 6-3, 6-0 victory in the team final.

"I was trying to win before all these other guys so I could win the fourth match," Jordaan said with a smile, admitting he miscounted which point would clinch the title. "But it was great that everyone was playing so well."

The clinching point eventually came from Peter Owen at the number two singles position. Before that, freshman Calvin Alexander and sophomore Gracen Turner secured a doubles win, while Alexandros Aposporis and Elliot Brown finished first with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory.

Three days before the team final, five of Colorado Academy's seven players won individual championships in Pueblo. That momentum carried straight into the team competition, where coach Noah Tondrey watched his squad dismantle three opponents on their way to the final.

Why This Inspires

This team's secret weapon isn't just talent. It's youth. With three freshmen contributing to the championship and Jordaan leading as a junior captain, the Mustangs have built something that could last years.

Only two seniors graduate from this roster. That means the core of this championship team returns next season, potentially strong enough to move up a classification level like rival Kent Denver did after their recent success.

Jordaan acknowledged what everyone else was thinking: "We're definitely a really young team. We had three freshmen on the team, so we're definitely looking really good for the future."

The formula worked perfectly too. Tondrey's motto of "getting better every day" turned into dominance when it mattered most. After a relaxed practice the day before the final, his players showed up silent and focused, then let their rackets do the talking.

Colorado's high school tennis scene just might be watching a dynasty take shape.