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CAST YOUR VOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE. YOU MUST RANK NO. 1 TO NO. 4 WITH NO. 1 BEING YOUR TOP PICK.
Garrett Howard, Kickapoo
Howard solidified himself as one of the area’s best after earning all-state honors with an eighth-place finish at the Class 2 state individual single’s tournament. Howard, a senior, went 22-6 in singles matches and earned third-place finishes at the Springfield Invitational and the Blue Springs Invitational. The Southwest Baptist University signee also helped lead Kickapoo to its first district since 2006.
Jason Nayar, Catholic
Nayar continued to make strides during his junior year at Catholic, proving again to be one of the top players in the area in the process. Nayar made his third state tournament appearance, where he earned a fifth-place finish in individual singles. He finished the year at 26-4 in singles play and helped guide Catholic to a 19-2 record and a third-place finish at state.
Luke Steiner, Catholic
Steiner played an integral role in helping Catholic to a 19-2 record and a third-place finish at the Class 2 state tournament as the Fightin’ Irish’s No. 2 player behind Jason Nayar. Stenier posted a 25-7 singles record that was capped with a seventh-place finish at the individual state singles tournament. The junior also posted a 6-4, 6-2 win at sectionals.
Matthew Zengel, Kickapoo
Zengel made a name for himself in his first year at Kickapoo as the Chiefs’ No. 2 singles player behind Garrett Howard. The freshman went 23-2 in singles and placed in the top 12 at the Class 2 state tournament. Zengel was part of a Kickapoo team that went 16-2 while earning its first conference and district titles in a decade.
