DGS Boys Tennis Team Ready to Enjoy the State Experience

Peter Freischlag and the Downers Grove South boys tennis team hit some milestones during the 2011 season.

The boys tennis program registered the 1,000th dual meet victory in its history, and Freischlag has coached the Mustangs to half of those victories (Freischlag reached the 500 career win mark this season).

The Mustangs reached another noteworthy accomplishment prior to this weekend’s state tennis meet, which is taking place on the courts of school districts 211, 214 and 220 in the Arlington Heights area.

Last Saturday, DGS won a sectional tournament for the third consecutive season, edging Lyons Township—an always formidable team from the West Suburban Silver—24-20. Taking the sectional crown avenged a dual meet loss to the Lions earlier this season.

En route to their sectional title, the Mustangs qualified two singles players and two doubles teams for the state meet. No. 1 singles player, junior Joey Leto, is making his third appearance at state, while Freischlag’s younger son, Cody, is part of the Mustangs’ qualifying No. 1 doubles team with junior Connor Harmon.

Cody, a sophomore, is participating in his second state tournament. Last year, Cody advanced to state along with his brother, Kyle, who has since graduated. (Kyle Freischlag was last year’s recipient of the Tom Pitchford Sportsmanship Award, given annually to an IHSA state qualifier who combines sportsmanship with academic achievement.)

Sophomore Jon Artus is joining Leto in singles competition, while senior Anton Urgello and junior Kiernan Cavanaugh form the Mustangs’ other state-qualifying tandem.

Four of South’s qualifiers are new to the state experience, but Coach Freischlag doesn’t want Harmon, Artus, Urgello and Cavanaugh to concentrate on reaching a certain amount of wins during the tournament.

“Where they finish isn’t significant,” Freischlag said. “Just enjoy the experience and there’s no pressure from us. Have a great time and battle and play well. We don’t use the ‘W’ (win) word. It’s just about what you’re doing on that day and getting a little bit better every day.”

Pairings for the tournament have been released by the IHSA. Leto goes up against Dominic Almaraj of St. Charles North in his first-round match, while Artus faces Marist’s Alex Haizel.

Harmon and Cody Freischlag are matched up against a doubles team from Chicago (University). Urgello and Cavanaugh take the court against Spencer Dunnington and Luke Weakly of Chatham.

“They know it’s a big deal, without question,” said Coach Freischlag when asked about the team’s mindset going into the tourney. “But we really haven’t talked about anything other than just how much fun it’s going to be. It’ll be a great time; that’s where the focus has been.”

Coach Freischlag said he’s been pleased by the camaraderie his team has developed, which complements its on-court achievements.

“This is probably as tight of a group as I’ve had,” he said. “They’re always together. Every Friday there’s been a team dinner at someone’s house. Our captains, Connor, Cody and Joey, have done a great job of pulling this together.”

The tournament continues on Friday, and the finals will be played on Saturday.