MCPHERSON — Larned High School’s Jeret Johnson qualified for the Class 4A state tournament.
Johnson, a senior, finished fourth at the regional tournament in McPherson.
“He’s really been our No. 1 singles for four years now,” Larned head coach Joe Snyder said. “He’s played some doubles, but when it came down to regionals and state, he played singles.”
Snyder said that Larned’s doubles teams were eliminated during Day 1 of the competition. His other singles player, Kevin VonFeldt, fell to Colin Martin of Hesston in the qualifying round.
Johnson has competed at a state tournament before, but as a 3-1A competitor, never at 4A.
“This will be Jeret’s third trip,” Snyder said. “He took 12th his sophomore year and 11th last year. This year, we’re classified as 4A, so this is a whole other beast.”
Johnson is 17-2 overall this season.
“He’s an all-around player,” Snyder said. “He has a decent forehand, a decent serve. He’s a got a good backhand. He has gotten better each year.”
The 4A state tournament will be held at Kossover Tennis Facility in Topeka on Friday and Saturday.

                                                                            — Kevin Price