Boys tennis: All-Metro team

Sun staff

June 4, 2008

Paul Burgin, Pikesville

Burgin is part of a Pikesville team that has won 13 consecutive Baltimore County championships. The junior won the individual county and regional championship. Burgin also advanced to the state tournament in College Park, where he was the No. 2 seed behind eventual champion Chris Goodwin of Rockville.

Ben Fass, Friends

Fass, a senior, was undefeated in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association except for a loss to Alexander Centenari of McDonogh, and then in the individual championships to Tim Lozinak of John Carroll. Fass is a four-year member of the varsity team. "He improved his record every year, ending with an 11-1 record," Friends athletic director Keith Wilford said.

John Healey, Atholton

Healey finished runner-up at the Howard County championships and in District V play. The sophomore advanced to the quarterfinals of the state tournament, where he lost to eventual champion Chris Goodwin of Rockville. Healey, who maintains a 3.8 grade point average, plays tennis throughout the year, competing in the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section as well as some lower-level national tournaments. Healey won the state title in mixed doubles with partner Julia Southerland last year, but he was entered into singles season.

Ryan Kent, Glenelg Country

Kent, a three-year varsity player, finished the season 14-0. At the MIAA B Conference n c e tournament a t McDonogh, Kent won the tournament for the third straight season playing No. 1 singles. Over his career, the junior is 38-2 and has won an individual conference championship each year. "This year, his third year, my biggest observation of Ryan is that he ... really took the whole team under his leadership," coach Jose Ruiz said. "He specifically sought this year to help the other two singles players improve their game."

Tim Lozinak, John Carroll

Lozinak played superbly all season at No. 1 singles for John Carroll and finished the regular season at 10-4. The junior then rolled through the MIAA A Conference individual championships before losing to McDonogh's Alexander Centenari in the finals. Lozinak is ranked 28th among 18-year-olds in the Mid-Atlantic. "In the beginning of the season, he was lacking some confidence," coach George Panion said. "As he started playing, he began to get more confidence. He played steadier. He is still learning, and he is going to be tough to beat next year."

Andrew Lutz, Pikesville

Lutz won an individual Baltimore County championship for Pikesville. The junior qualified for the state tournament in College Park, where he was an unseeded. Lutz made an impressive run, advancing to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Chris Goodwin of Rockville, 6-1, 6-0. "Andrew had a great year, and it was a great accomplishment for him to get to the semifinals," Pikesville coach Jerry Dresner said after the match.

Alex Sidney, McDonogh

Sidney, a freshman, won his first 60 games at No. 2 singles this season. His overall record was 28-1, and he lost just three sets. His only setback was in the No. 2 singles semifinals at Woodberry Forest, where he finished third. At the New England/Mid-Atlantic Invitational, he won the No. 2 singles title. He was undefeated in the MIAA, and the two sets he gave up at Woodberry were the only ones he lost all season until beating Gilman's James Weiler, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the MIAA No. 2 singles championship match.

Sam Wichlin, Mount Hebron

Wichlin was the Howard County singles champion and the regional champion. He was the No. 3 seed in the state tournament in College Park and advanced to the final, where he lost to state champion Chris Goodwin of Rockville. Wichlin, a junior, beat Neil Soni of Northwest, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, in the semifinals. He is ranked eighth among juniors in Maryland.

Mike Wilkins, Westminster

Wilkins was a Monocacy Valley Athletic League All- Conference selection. The senior helped the Owls go 10-0 in the Chesapeake Division. He won 20 consecutive matches and went 22-3 for the season, including a stretch in which he won 40 consecutive sets -- a team record. "A tremendous sportsman, respected by coaches and players alike," coach Fran McCullin said of Wilkins. He will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

NOTE // Team selected by Todd Karpovich after consultation with The Sun staff and area coaches.