DOUBLE TROUBLE
Owatonna No. 1 doubles pairing athletes Nils Gantert, left, and Charlie Tucker, celebrate a point together during a match against Lakeville South last week. Gantert and Tucker lost their match against the Cougars, but Owatonna still won the match 5-2. Staff photo by Johnnie Phillips
-Nils Gantert, Huskies Tennis Star
Owatonna’s No. 1 doubles pairing of Nils Gantert and Charlie Tucker has been a nightmare for opposing pairings racking up an 11-5 record over the course of the 2022 season.
The two junior athletes spearheaded the Huskies’ doubles squad throughout the season and were crucial in contributing to Owatonna’s third-place finish in the Big Nine Conference at the end of the regular season.
“Personally, I just love playing doubles. I just love the fact that if I’m ever having a bad day, or if I have a couple of bad points in a row, I know Charlie can always pick me up. It’s really nice having a teammate out there, and we’re pretty good friends off the court too which makes it fun,” said Gantert.
Despite their 11-5 record and obvious chemistry on the courts, the 2022 season was Gantert and Tucker’s first season being paired together.
According to Gantert, the two recognized that there would be an opening in the No. 1 doubles slot as the season approached, and were hoping to be paired together by head coach Curt Matejcek.
Gantert and Tucker got their wish in the team’s first match of the season against Red Wing and never looked back.
In fact, Gantert and Tucker started the season in perfect fashion, dominating their Red Wing opponents 6-0 and 6-0 in two sets to take home their first win of the season.
“It’s the best feeling winning a doubles match. Especially when the team you’re playing is competitive and both sides are playing really well. To play really solid tennis and pull out a win is an awesome feeling. Knowing that you just contributed to your team by earning a point that could potentially make the difference in a match and getting a team win… it’s a great feeling,” said Gantert.
With one year of eligibility left under their belts, Gantert and Tucker will have the opportunity to play another season for the Huskies in 2023 with the potential to be paired again in the coveted No. 1 spot.
According to Gantert, the two are hopeful to be paired together again after having had a lot of success and fun this season.
Gantert and Tucker competed at the section individual tournament that began on May 24.
If the Huskies’ No. 1 pairing advances past the first day of the tournament, Gantert and Tucker will compete again on Thursday.
The location and time of the duos matches were unavailable at press time.