The Clinton tennis team swept the singles and doubles titles at the Four County Conference Tournament contested at Clinton High Wednesday. The win qualifies six Dark Horses to the Mideast Regional next week.
Zach Darden emerged the singles champion with a semifinal win against Antonio Johnson of East Bladen 6-1,6-0 and won the final against Victor Jacome of West Bladen 6-2, 7-6(4). Peter Darden also qualified for the regional by finishing third. He lost a close semifinal match against Jacome 6-4, 2-6, 1-0(8), but rebounded to defeat Antonio Johnson 6-0, 6-1.
In doubles action the Dark Horse team of John Fox and Jared Hall won the doubles draw with a semifinal win over Jackson Hunt and Alex Gomes of East Bladen 6-0, 6-2 and defeated their teammates, Luke Swartz and Tyler Kersey 6-1, 7-5. Swartz and Kersey made it to the final by defeating Matthew Bobby and Manuel Arvizu of West Bladen in a close 5-7, 7-5, 1-0(8) victory.
After the tournament Clinton head coach Robert Jones applauded his team.
“I am very pleased with our results today,” he said. “I am especially happy for two of our seniors, Luke Swartz and Tyler Kersey, because this is their first time qualifying for the regional. I’m sure they will enjoy the experience. The entire team has worked hard all season to get to this point, and I am very proud of their accomplishments.”
All six Dark Horse players qualify for the 2A Mideast Regional in Goldsboro Friday, May 6 with play starting at 2 p.m. The team will host the first round of the 2A dual team playoffs against an undetermined opponent next Tuesday, May 3rd, first serve scheduled for 4 p.m.