Ballweber places third in state tennis
The West Fargo Packers' tennis team had a fairly mediocre season, but a consistent performance all season from sophomore Brady Ballweber has culminated with him placing third in the North Dakota State singles championship and earning All-State honors.
"This is my 13th year of coaching tennis at West Fargo and Brady is the first to place as one of the top 5 singles players in the state," Packers coach Chad Anderson said. "That's a pretty big accomplishment for someone who is only a sophomore in High School."
Ballweber started the state tournament by beat Andrew Godon of Grand Forks-Red River (6-0, 6-4) on Friday afternoon, and then advancing to beat Willi Ulness from Bismarck (6-0, 2-6, 6-2).
Saturday started off with Ballweber falling to Joey Anderson from Grand Forks-Red River, who went on to win the state championship, in the semifinals by a score of 6-4, 2-6, 2-6.
Ballweber bounced back in the third place game, topping Fargo North's Andy Ficek by a score 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
This marks the first time a West Fargo boys' tennis player has been named to the All-State and the highest one has placed in the state tournament.
"Brady's enthusiasm and dedication towards tennis is contagious to all of the rest of the team," Anderson said. "We all want to get better because of Brady!"
