Lucas Rago’s stunning climb to the top reached an impressive crescendo Friday, as the Bishop Gorman freshman won the Class 5A boys state tennis singles championship with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Palo Verde’s Balin Gupta at Bishop Gorman.
The victory marked an unlikely feat for a freshman, but Gaels coach Craig Witcher was not surprised.
“People knew how good he was from juniors,” Witcher said. “I don’t think anybody was shocked. He served well and he was aggressive throughout the match, and I think that made the difference.”
Rago, who took over following a break midway through the first set, said he was not intimidated by older players throughout the week.
“I knew I had it in me and I just had to execute,” said Rago, who lost to Gupta in a February juniors match. “Age doesn’t really matter. If you’ve got a good game and play well, you’re going to win.”
Boys doubles
Faith Lutheran’s Beckham Butler and Sam Gastaldo defeated teammates Davey Gluth and Michael Bergin 6-2, 6-1 to claim the doubles title.
Playing with different partners, Butler also won last year’s title and Gastaldo finished third.
“They’ve been best friends since eighth grade,” Faith Lutheran coach Keith Fridrich said. “It was great to see our two seniors go out in a tremendous match.”
Girls singles
Palo Verde’s Remi Rice defeated Coronado’s Erika Gallegos 6-2, 6-4 for the championship. It was the second consecutive state title for the junior, who also finished third as a freshman in 2023.
“I didn’t have to worry about Remi today,” said Panthers coach Gordon Hammond, who noted that his standout overcame a scare after having her lead cut to 5-4 in the second set. “She just did her thing.”
The coach credited the victory to Rice’s patience and ability to win long rallies.
Girls doubles
Coronado’s Isabella Gallegos and Gigi Smart played an aggressive match to defeat Faith Lutheran’s Zoe Slusher and Averie Dudgeon 6-2, 6-3 for the championship. Playing with a different partner, Gallegos also won the title in 2024.
Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.
