Local netters compete at prestigious tournament

A pair of current Havre High tennis players took to the courts in Missoula this past week, competing in the Montana State Junior Open.

Havre High sophomores Jeff Miller and Jerod Boles both competed in the event, which is one of the biggest tennis tournaments on the USTA Intermountain summer circuit.

Miller competed in 18 singles, 16 singles and 18 doubles, playing 11 total matches over four days. Teamed with partner Karl Daniels of St. Ignatius, the duo finished third in doubles, defeating the Polson duo of Brady Hislop and Layne Zimmerman in the consolation final.

In 18 singles, Miller won two matches to reach the quarterfinals, while he also captured two wins in the 16 singles to finish in the top eight in that draw.

Miller is currently ranked No. 13 in Montana in 16s and now holds a ranking of 28 in 18s.

Boles also captured a victory in 16 singles over the weekend. After falling in the first round, Boles rebounded to win a three-set thriller in the loser-out draw. He was then eliminated by top-seeded Joe Sawatzke of Billings.

The four-day tournament in Missoula featured over 100 players and many of Montana's top junior players, as well as players from Idaho, Utah and Wyoming and from as far away as Illinois, Calgary, Arizona and several cities in California.