For the first time in program history, three Becker Bulldogs will be representing the program in this year’s MSHSL State Tennis Tournament after a stellar Section 8AA tournament.

Zach Bengtson fought his way to the Section singles title to qualify, while his brother Ryan teamed up with Eli Scheideman to win the doubles title and the dynamic duo’s third trip to state.  

Coach Hokan Bengtson was ecstatic with his team’s play throughout the Section meet.

“I am so proud of our kids,” Bengtson said after the final match.  “It was a historic day!  Our kids all made the semi-final round and were battling to advance to the state tourney.”

With the entire Bulldog team qualifying for state a week earlier, this means there will be plenty of Becker Blue on the courts at this week’s team and individual tournaments.

Zach Bengtson came into the tournament as the #1 seed in the Section and he had to beat the best of the best to earn his trip to state. 

He opened with a win over his opponent from Bemidji, then defeated the Runner-up from Monticello.  In the finals, he downed St. Cloud’s #1 player in what his dad and coach called “a three-set thriller”.

Bengtson lost the first set 1-6, but came storming back to win the next two sets by scores of 7-5 to secure the title.

Scheideman and Ryan Bengtson were also seeded #1 and they opened with a 6-1, 6-2 win over the top team from Moorhead before having to take on teammates Nick Gruber and Max Haugen in the semifinals.  A win in that match set them up for a finals tilt against the top team from Alexandria where it was a straight set, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory for the Bulldogs.

“Eli and Ryan played great today,” their coach said after the match.

Scheideman took time after securing his third state tournament qualification to reflect on his season.

“This is a special team that will have lifelong relationships with each other . . . it has been a goal of ours all year and to make it to state,” Scheideman said.  “It’s also a very big testament to this team and how much the extra work after practice goes a long way.  It’s a combination of great coaching, strong leadership and buy-in from the top to bottom of the lineup that has made this team special. Hopefully, it makes younger kids in this town excited to be a part of the tennis program.”

Coach Bengtson also noted the efforts of his other athletes who made it to the semifinals.

Gruber and Haugen had started the day with an upset of the #2 team from Bemidji before falling to their Bulldog teammates.  In the 3rd place match, they lost to the #1 doubles team from St. Cloud and finished 4th overall.

In the singles bracket, Troy Nuest finished fourth.  He started the day with an upset of his own over the #1 seed from Sartell before losing a very close match to the player who finished second to Zach Bengtson.  

“Then Troy battled hard for the third set but in the end didn’t have enough shots to beat the #1 singles player from Monticello,” Bengtson said.

The MSHSL state tennis tournament will be held June 6-9 at the U of MN Baseline Tennis Center.