FZN #CourtCats capture their first District Title!

The FZN boy tennis team recently captured their first District title in school history! With the win, the Panthers advanced to the MSHSAA Sectional tournament to be held this Saturday (5/18) at Hazelwood Central High School. At sectionals, the Panthers will take on the top-ranked Rock Bridge Bruins of Columbia. The Panthers, or #CourtCats, defeated Francis Howell (5 – 3) and Wentzville: Liberty (5 – 3) during the tournament to lay claim to the championship. The District title is a first for FZN. In addition to their team District title, the Panthers also earned two medals at the individual District tournament. Doubles team (Teddy Hickey and Joel Hilliard) placed 2nd at the event, while Eric Wang finished 4th in singles play. The top four in both singles and doubles earned district medals, with the top two finishers advancing to sectional play. The two medals are believed to be the first earned by members of the boys tennis team at North High. It has been a historic season for the Panther tennis program as several milestones were reached during the school year including setting a new school mark for wins in a season with 13! The previous record of 10 was set in 2018. The team also defeated several opposing schools (Francis Howell, Francis Howell Central, Fort Zumwalt West) for the first time this season. Remarkably, the program had won just 2 games two seasons ago and won only 1 game the season prior to that.

The Panthers also scored a school record number of medals at the GAC North/Central tournament. Medalists include:

Joe Hilliard – Gold #5 Singles

Andrew Perez – Gold #8 Singles

Teddy Hickey/Joel Hilliard – Gold #2 Doubles

Teddy Hickey – Silver #2 Singles

Luke Herbst – Silver #4 Singles

Mason Cochran/Luke Herbst – Bronze #3 Doubles

Austin Janes/Cole Bixby – Bronze #4 Doubles

Zach Farrell/Drew Perrotte – Bronze #5 Doubles

Varsity squad members include: Eric Wang #1, Teddy Hickey #2, Owen Sears #3, Luke Herbst #4, Joel Hilliard #5, Mason Cochran #6, Derrick Buda-Smith #7, Andrew Perez #8

The Panthers are coached by Kyle Brown and assisted by Brad Peuster. Brown has been the Panthers coach for the past three seasons. He had previously coached the team during the 2013 and 2014 seasons. “Coach” Brown will retire at the conclusion of the 2018 – 2019 school year after a 33-year career in education. He also served as the head coach of the boys basketball program at North High from 2000 – 2008. His 2002 squad captured the district title.