Curtis Named Male Athlete of the Spring

There was not a dry eye in the Curtis household as MICDS' Charlie Curtis capped off an undefeated senior season with a state championship last Saturday at the state tennis tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.

Even family pet Eddie, the unofficial team mascot, was wagging his tail as Curtis shook hands with Pembroke Hill's Will Welte after his 2-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory in the title match.

"I can't believe I did it," Curtis said moments after the conclusion of the match. "I really can't explain how I feel right now. I do know I am so happy."

Curtis' amazing senior season has earned him the honor of being the Ladue-Frontenac Patch Male Athlete of the Spring. The Ladue-Frontenac Patch covers John Burroughs, MICDS, Ladue, St. Joseph's Academy and Villa Duchesne.

Curtis had been a member of the MICDS team that won the state team title when he was a freshman. In addition, Curtis garnered individual success including a third place finish in singles last spring.

But he saved his best for last with the perfect 2011 campaign.

"I just wanted this so bad," said Curtis, who will be attending Trinity University in San Antonio next year. "The undefeated season was in the back of my mind but the individual championship was in the front of my mind."

And, as to be expected in a state tournament, the championship was not easy. Curtis cruised in his first match, a 6-1, 6-0 triumph over Orobola Akinmoladun of Grandview.

His challenges began in the quarterfinals as he matched up with University City's Alec Kaczkowski. Curtis prevailed 6-3, 6-1 over the talented junior, who went on to win the consolation championship.

Curtis was forced into three sets in his two matches Saturday. He defeated Christopher Frye of Barstow, 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 in the semifinals. Frye had finished second at state in singles last year.

Welte, the No. 1 player for state champion Pembroke Hill, was lights out early in the championship match as he captured the first set.

"He was playing so well," Curtis said. "I think he only had two unforced errors in the entire first set. I didn't think that could last the whole match."

It did not as Welte proved he was human with unforced errors on the first two points of the second set.

Curtis would dominate the second set and continued in the third set with a 4-1 advantage. But Welte got the match back on serve at 4-3 before Curtis won his final two games of his high school career and his first state championship.

The final point was vintage Curtis as he kept the ball in play on a long rally and then struck with a running cross court winner on championship point.

Curtis would finish his senior season with a 28-0 record.

"It was so nice to see Charlie have an end to the season like this," MICDS coach Patrick Huewe said. "Welte was amazing in that first set. Charlie was able to keep his composure and weather the storm. I think he eventually wore him down.

"I know this was special to Charlie. I feel so good for him. He has been a great leader for the team and is a class act on the court."