Steffen picks up win for CHS at regionals

LAWRENCE — Elijah Steffen picked up one win in singles for the Concordia High School tennis team in the Class 3-2-1A regional tournament hosted by Bishop-Seabury Academy on Friday.
Steffen knocked off Seth Bauerle, Hiawatha, 6-1, 6-0 in his opening match.
Caleb Kern, Kansas City Christian, defeated Steffen, 6-0, 6-0.
Steffen then dropped a close match to Luke Oster, Maranatha Academy, 6-4, 7-5.
“Elijah gave himself a chance to go to state, and he can truly say he left it all out on the court,” Concordia coach Michael Wahlmeier said.
Concordia scored one point in the tournament.
Kansas City Christian won the team title with 21 points. Seabury Academy was second with 13 and Maranatha Academy was third with 10.
Isaac Bombardier, also playing singles for Concordia, was beaten 6-3, 6-2 by Tucker Peine, Columbus.
Eric Grogan and Keegan Grogan, playing doubles for the Panthers, lost 6-2, 6-1 to a Clay Center duo.
“We have seen the Clay Center team several times throughout the year, and Eric and Keegan have been the closest to beating them,” Wahlmeier said.
Ismael Perez and Christian Redmond fell to a Seabury Academy team 6-0, 6-1 in the opening round of doubles.
“Everyone competed, and I was extremely happy with the effort,” Wahlmeier said, “Our young guys got some good experience and were competitive in their matches. I am excited for the future of the program, but sad to see the seniors go. It has been a fun and rewarding year.”