Anil Chakka, the reigning Class 7A and Overall high school tennis champion in Arkansas, would have been seeded for the Southern 16's Championships had any of the seeds dropped out of the tournament.
None did.
"That speaks well of the event," tournament director Chip Stearns said. "The kids who come here can expect a big-time experience. For most of these kids, it's the biggest event they will play in."
The tournament, which begins today at the Rebsamen Tennis Center in Little Rock, brings in 320 (160 boys, 160 girls) of the best 15- and 16 year-old tennis players in the nine-state Southern region.
Although none of the state's boys are ranked, Stearns is confident some Arkansans will have an impact.
"Anil and Parker Stearns [Chip's son] could make some noise," Chip Stearns said. "They are both capable of winning some matches."
Chakka plays for Little Rock Central; Parker Stearns attends Catholic High.
The top-seeded boy for the event is 14-year-old Blake Croyder of Marietta, Ga.
"He plays up and he's ranked No. 2 in the South," Chip Stearns said. "He's considered a prodigy."
The top-seeded girls for the event is 16-year-old Madeline Meredith of Birmingham, Ala. Stearns said the top girls from Arkansas for the event are Katie LaFrance (Little Rock), Thea Rice (Hot Springs, Lakeside High School) and Hunter Roper (Jonesboro).
Play begins at 8 a.m. today with matches held at Rebsamen, Burns Park Tennis Center and Otter Creek Racquet Club. The championship games are scheduled for Friday morning at Rebsamen.
GOLF
ASU men's coach resigns
Arkansas State Coach Steve Johnson announced his resignation Friday to become the general manager at Monticello Country Club.
Johnson, who coached the Red Wolves for the past nine years, led ASUto 10 top-three finishes last season.
In 2011, he led the Red Wolves to a fourth-place finish at the 20122 Sun Belt Conference championships.
-- Democrat-Gazette Press Services
Sports on 06/13/2015