Area Athletes Advance to State Competition

Area athletes are headed to the Boys State Tennis Tournament later this week in the Chicago area.

Jay Niebrugge of St. Anthony finished second Saturday at the Casey-Westfield Sectional, losing to Hunter Levingston of Mattoon in the championship match, so Niebrugge is headed to State.

The area particularly did well in doubles, as two teams from Teutopolis and a pair from Effingham are all State bound.

Junior Andy Mersman and senior Nick Pals of Teutopolis finished second, while junior Trevor Lee and junior Jacob Mette finished third, and both teams will advance. Effingham's doubles squad of junior Jared Minor and junior Drake Hill finished fourth and are also headed to State competition.

Mattoon won the sectional with 24 points, followed by Teutopolis 19, Casey-Westfield 17, St. Anthony 14, Effingham 12, Paris 8, Shelbyville 6, Robinson 4, Newton 2 and Charleston 0.

Play at State will begin Thursday.