KINGSFORD — The Negaunee High School boys tennis team had a near perfect day in a runaway victory at the Kingsford Invitational held at the Dickinson County school’s courts on Saturday.

The Miners won championships in seven of the eight flights while taking second in the other flight for a team total of 46 out of a possible 48 points.

Escanaba was a distant second with 29, followed by the host Flivvers with 27, West Iron County 10 and Menominee, which didn’t score.

“(Saturday) concluded a real busy week for us and it was a great opportunity to be tournament tested,” Negaunee head coach Kyle Saari said in an email about the event. “You have to play more than a match in a day to prepare for later in the year, and we responded well to the test.”

Several Miners came in for specific praise from their coach.

First off, Tyler Lajimodiere won the No. 4 singles title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the championship match over a Kingsford player.

Players from other teams weren’t identified in tournament brackets provided by the Kingsford team.

“Tyler had a very strong week for us and is as good as any No. 4 (singles player) that we’ve ever had,” Saari said. “He can play many styles, but certainly has the pace of an upper-tier singles player, which gives him a huge advantage.”

At No. 2 doubles, the Miners’ Gavin Downey and Gavin Jacobson won in their finale 6-2, 7-5 over an Escanaba duo, while at No. 3 doubles, Negaunee’s Philip Nelson and Zack Brundage pulled out a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win in the championship match against a Kingsford pair.

“The ‘Gavins’ at (No.) 2 doubles and Zack and Phil both pulled out close second sets, and it’s good to see mental toughness in action when it really matters,” Saari said.

“In particular, as a team we’ve done a terrific job in tiebreak and tight situations. We’ve played free and loose.

“We’re proud of how we approached this week, but have to gear up quickly for three dual (meets) and the Negaunee Invite (this) Saturday.”

The Miners other victorious flights were at No. 2 singles, where Gavin Saunders won 6-4, 6-1 over a Flivvers’ player, and at No. 3 singles, with Mick Kumpula winning 6-4, 6-3 over an Eskymos player.

In doubles, Negaunee’s No. 1 tandem of Jace Turri and James Thomson won 6-3, 6-3 over a Kingsford pair, while at No. 4, Brandon Borlace and Ethan Harris took a 6-0, 7-5 win over an Esky duo.

The Miners only nonchampionship was a close one, too, as No. 1 singles player Luke Syrjala fell 6-4, 6-4 to an Escanaba player in the finals.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.