Harper Creek tennis, track were hoping to make history. Where do things stand as of now?
BATTLE CREEK - It was setting up to be an historic week for Harper Creek sports.
The Beaver girls tennis team was in line to possibly win its first league title in 40 years on Monday.
And, the Harper Creek boys track team was going to be involved in a rare No. 1 vs. No. 2 dual meet on Tuesday.
It is a good week to be wearing blue and white.
Unfortunately, the track meet was washed out on Tuesday due to the storms rolling through Battle Creek. The No. 2 Beavers will now host No. 1 Parma Western on Friday with first place on the line in Interstate 8 Conference play. Both teams are listed in the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association power rankings for Division 2.
"Parma is the meet we have been waiting for all year. It's for rankings and, more importantly, for a chance at a league title," Harper Creek boys track coach Larry Quick said in a story in the Enquirer on Tuesday. "How often do you have two teams in the same conference ranked No. 1 and No. 2? We have had good teams in the conference. In 2017, Harper Creek was No. 2 and Coldwater was No. 7. Have had other times where it was No. 8 vs. No. 9, or something like that. But to have No. 1 vs. No. 2 is crazy. The kids are jacked. They are excited about this."
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As for the tennis, Harper Creek fell short of its goal to win a league crown for the first time in four decades. But for the Beavers to be in that position in the first place, shows the recent progress of the program.
"Watching this team's program over the last few years has been awesome," said third-year Harper Creek girls tennis coach Brian McManus. "Many players have been making tennis a priority versus a second sport. And working with the people at Minges (Racquet Club) in the offseason has helped immensely."
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Parma Western defeated Harper Creek, 7-1, on Monday at Harper Creek High School with the lone victory coming at No. 1 singles with the Beavers' Mia Helbing coming out on top.
The first team loss in league competition this year for Harper Creek is seen as a positive for McManus, however, with even brighter days ahead.
"This group really dislikes losing. Our setbacks have become awesome teaching moments," McManus said. "As for today, we know Parma Western is on top of the mountain. Our girls were disappointed with losing, but we will learn and grow from it."
All-City Tennis
The annual All-City tennis tournament was postponed for a second time on Tuesday due to weather. The event is now scheduled for 2 p.m on Friday at Pennfield High School.
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Harper Creek tennis, track set to make history. Where do things stand?
