The top two finishers in the men’s singles B division at the recent Michigan-Wisconsin Tennis Open were Aaron Isenhart of Elk Rapids, left, who was runner-up, and Chris Ogren of Escanaba, who was champion. Ogren prevailed 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the finals. (Photo courtesy Tom Penegor)

ESCANABA — Several Marquette players reached the semifinals in various divisions of the 78th annual Michigan-Wisconsin Tennis Open tournament held in the Escanaba area on Aug. 2-3.

They were among more than 80 players who flocked to Delta County, coming not only from the Upper Peninsula, but also the Lower Peninsula, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, and even Great Britain, France and Colombia.

“We had a great turnout with players, fans and weather,” said tourney organizer Tom Penegor, the Escanaba High School boys tennis coach.

A count by Penegor show 18 players coming from Marquette County.

That included former Marquette resident Jay Jurkovich, who now lives and teaches in Rapid River. He won two matches in men’s B singles to reach the semifinals before bowing out to eventual champion Chris Ogren of Escanaba, 6-4, 3-6, 13-11.

Another semifinalist in that division was current Marquette resident James Walker, who won once before he lost to the other finalist, Aaron Isenhart of downstate Elk Rapids, 6-4, 6-0.

In men’s A singles, a division with a nearly full field of 14 players, eight of whom Penegor said had played collegiately, Liam Fraboulet of Marquette also reached the semifinals before bowing out to finalist Ieuan Lister.

In B mixed doubles, the brother-sister tandem of Brynn and Bode Helman of Marquette made the semifinals.

In boys 16-18-year-old singles, Bode Helman of Marquette was another semifinalist, winning an early match before falling to Evan Grymes of Kingsford.

And in girls 16-18 singles, Marin Johnson of Marquette was also a semifinalist.

Among the other players Pengor listed from Marquette County were Connor Dunn, Winston Leonard, Nathan Sherman, Gavin Guidice, Matt Barsch and Hailee LaCombe of Marquette; Trent Emard, Max Larson, Connor Steede, Nina Massie and Arianna Paananen of Negaunee; Alex Orchard of Ishpeming; and Eli Wilson of Gwinn.

The annual event is a fundraiser for the Escanaba High School tennis programs.

Story contents based on emails, text messages and phone calls exchanged with tournament representative Tom Penegor. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.