Sports Story #9 – Perfection on the Court

It shows you how many great sports stories we had in 2013 that perfection ranks number 9 on our list. Let's head back to May 17th, when Kellen Bates once again proved no one in Montana could hang with him on the court.

With one final ace, Kellen Bates wrapped up an undefeated high school tennis career, and instantly felt the pressure lift off his shoulders.

"I was just happy the way I played that last match," said the 4-year state champion from Glacier High after he beat Hellgate's Dylan Harvala in the title match 6-2, 6-1. "It will take a while to sink in all the accomplishments I've done here in high school tennis. But I was just glad to get that last match."

Bates domination of the Treasure State high school court started on day one. He cruised through the bracket for a state championship as a freshman. And ended up 61-0 while playing for the Wolfpack, only dropping two total sets in four years. Bates showed improvement every season, but he felt his senior year was by far the toughest.

"I'd go out there and I'd put a little too much pressure on myself and make matches a little too hard on myself. And then I would play tight," said Bates. "And other years, especially my freshman year, I felt like I could just go out there, swing for the fences, and have a good time."

Bates is running out of room to display all of his trophies. But the newest additions might be his favorite. For the first time, he helped bring home two state championships.

"I guess I could put this year as the most special one since I was able to win a state championship singularly, and then capture one as a team," he said. "It will be pretty cool to look back on in a couple years. It's pretty special."

Bates is currently playing at Indiana University. But he wasn't the only 4-time state champ this Spring. Bridger Walczynski of Corvallis claimed a Class A doubles title every year in high school. He teamed up with three different partners, including DJ Pekoc the last two years. On May 25th, he left the court as a winner one last time.

"Started off a little slow. Cold morning. Didn't really wake up very well," said Walczynski after the clinching victory in Polson. "But by the second set we were clicking and everything was just working. Being a senior and knowing that my season and career is done in high school is the hard part. But knowing I went out like this is a great feeling."

Tomorrow we will feature numbers 8 and 7 on our countdown of the top 2013 sports stories in Western Montana. Both involve long-distance runners breaking records.

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Sports Story #9 - Perfection on the Court