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Central's Beckert wins singles, doubles; Bulldogs win MAC title

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By Christopher Maloney | Friday, May 09, 2008 | No comments posted

Davenport Central’s Mitch Beckert took top honors at Friday’s Mississippi Athletic Conference boys tennis championships in No. 1 singles and doubles, while Bettendorf claimed the conference crown after the weather “evened the playing field.”

Bettendorf’s victory marked the third straight year that a different school has won the conference crown — Davenport Central and Clinton won the previous two years. The Bulldogs used two first-place finishes in doubles and four out of six first places in singles to beat Clinton 23-16. Central finished third with 12.5 points.

“This is by far the strongest team I have had here at Bettendorf in my four years as coach,” said Bulldogs coach Al Takemoto. “They really earned this conference title. They played fantastic tennis and, most important, they have improved this season with each match. We do need to learn to play sharper in doubles, though, heading into the postseason.”

A key win for the Bulldogs came at No. 3 singles when second-seeded David DeSimone beat Clinton’s top-seeded Elliot Deering 6-2, 6-3.

“DeSimone took control of that whole situation,” Takemoto said.

Beckert, who has finished as the top singles player three of four years, wasn’t sure how Friday’s matches would turn out.

“On a day like today, anything can happen,” he said. “It evens the playing field with rain and wind like we had during singles today (Beckert defeated Bettendorf’s Adam DeSimone 6-3, 6-0 for the singles title). That match was closer than the score indicates.”

Beckert teamed with freshman Jonathan O’Leary for the doubles crown. They defeated Clinton’s Deering and Josh Lawrence 6-3, 6-4.

“I was confident we would win because I had Jon as my partner,” Beckert said. “Hopefully he will keep this success up. He is a natural, very talented and knows the game. Over the season, I have taught him about tennis, though, and he has taught me how to Irish dance.”

O’Leary said the doubles title was a surprise for him.

“It feels really great,” he said. “I didn’t expect it. Beckert has been a great mentor during the season.”

Contact the sports desk at (563) 383-2285 or sports@qctimes.com.