Becker tennis star Jacob Lukkarila has repeated as the St. Cloud Times’ Boys Tennis Player of the Year!

 

Two years ago, then sophomore Lukkarila participated in his first singles state tournament as a sophomore.

 

As a junior last year, he had another chance to make it to state but missed out, falling one victory short of qualifying.

 

Sometimes with major loss come major gain and Lukkarila vowed to close out his high school career on a high note.

 

This year, in 2019, Lukkarila went undefeated with at 22-0 record.

 

“My mental game was strong helping me stay consistent all season," Lukkarila said. "Even when I got down in a match, I would stay focused and always try my best."

 

Most team’s best players are automatically thrust into the No. 1 singles player role which means opposing teams are facing Becker’s best in the #1 slot. However, that means that Lukkarila in turn is playing the other team’s best player too. Despite that, Lukkarila thrived.

 

In the South Sub-Section 8AA tournament Lukkarila won the championship and then took second at the Section 8AA meet, earning his second state tournament bid in three years.

 

At state in the Class 2A singles tournament, Lukkarila went 1-1 and was knocked out in the second round of competition.

 

The All-Granite Ridge Conference pick had a season record of 28-2 and finished his five-year varsity tennis career with a 101-17 record, which is the second most wins in school history for Becker boys tennis (Dawson Brown-138). Lukkarila became #1 all time in Becker tennis for win percentage (.849), was the top player for single season wins (32), has the all time single season wining percentage (.933) and has the top three longest winning streaks in a single season (27, 26 and 25).

 

This fall, Lukkarila plans on attending Bethel University where he will join the men's tennis team.

 

Here's a look at the rest of the all-area team.

 

 

Gruenhagen is this year's South Sub-Section 8-2A singles runner-up, falling to his teammate Jacob Lukkarila 6-0, 6-1 in the final.

At the Section 8AA meet, he took fourth place, losing in the quarterfinals against Brainerd's Patrick Moraghan, who would go on to win the section title.

 

Gruenhagen finished his senior season with a 21-7 record and went 85-20 in his career with the Bulldogs.

 

He earned All-Granite Ridge Conference honors for his efforts this season.

 

 

Hageman split time between first doubles and second singles this season for the Falcons.

 

He finished the season with a 23-4 record and was named as an All-Granite Ridge Conference pick.

 

Hageman found most of his success this season in doubles competition. At the Section 6A meet, Hageman and doubles partner Tanner Funk took the 6A title, winning in three sets.

 

The duo moved on to the Class A state tournament where they went 1-1 and were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Rochester Lourdes' doubles team.

 

Hageman closed out his career with 61 wins.

 

 

Funk is an All-Granite Ridge Conference selection this year after closing his sophomore season with a record of 16-11.

 

He is one half of the Section 6A doubles championship duo along with teammate Jacob Hageman.

 

Funk is now up to 48 wins in his young career.

 

Honorable mention: Yash Hindka, Sartell, Sr.; Tanner Tschumper, Foley, So.; Jamison Gothman, Foley, Jr.; Max Fesenmaier, Sartell, Sr.; Thomas Connolly, Sartell, Sr.; Grant Martin, St. Cloud Cathedral/St. John's Prep, So.