Mandan, Minot High return solid performers on the WDA boys' tennis court

BISMARCK -- Mandan enters the 2026 season as the favorite to capture the WDA regular season boys’ tennis title. If the Braves can, it would be the program’s first and continue its recent winning trend. Mandan has won the last two West Region Tournament championships. The Braves have an experienced lineup, including the defending West Region individual champion in senior Jaden Christen. Minot High is another team with plenty of experience and a track record of winning. The program is closing in on a couple of impressive milestones. Later in the season it could reach 500 regular season dual wins and 700 total wins (regular and postseason). Minot High was picked second in the preseason coaches poll. Defending regular season champion Legacy has some proven players returning and should be in the mix for a top half finish. The team is pursuing a 13th-straight ND state team dual tournament appearance. After that trio of teams, there is not much separating the teams just below. Minot North, Century and Bismarck High all have some key returners. The key question how strong is the supporting cast? Jamestown and Williston were hit hard by graduation and players opting not to return.Getting steady improvements from some new faces will be the goal. This marks the 52nd season of WDA sponsored play. The West Region Tournament returns to Minot, Oct. 1-3. The state tournament is again in Grand Forks, Oct. 8-10. Team previews Bismarck High Key returners: Reed Romsaas (All-WDA); Quinn Kleser, Miles Hanson Outlook: Bismarck High enters the 2026 campaign with a young and developing roster after graduating three seniors. The Demons will lean heavily on junior standout Reed Romsaas, who is primed for a breakout year following a runner-up finish at the West Region individual tournament. He will be among the top returning players in the WDA. Along with returning varsity contributors Quinn Kleser and Miles Hanson, BHS is hopeful to see some added with from James Wanner and Adam Wanner. With dedicated offseason work fueling the lineup, the Demons look to translate their growth into steady progress in conference play. Century Key returners: Ryan Mullally (All-WDA); Connor Michaela, Mason Wagondorf, Teddy Andrist, Jacob Gross Outlook: The Patriots enter this season with a lineup that includes five players who saw regular varsity experience in the lineup. Ryan Mullally is the most seasoned, playing three years in the lineup. This will be his second in the No. 1 spot. He has qualified individual for state in doubles each of the past three years. Micahela held the No. 3 spot. The point of emphasis will be to get the second-year players to perform more consistently will be key for the Pats to challenge teams picked ahead of them in the preseason poll. Jamestown Key returners: Aden Oettle, Kale Backen, Rajen Bansal, Josh Sagaser Outlook: Jamestown enters the season in a rebuilding mode. The squad qualified for last year’s state dual tournament as the No. 6 seed in the region. It had a pair of talented players who moved on, however. The Blue Jays will lean on a four-player core of varsity returners—Aden Oettle, Kale Backen, Rajen Bansal, and Josh Sagaser—to lead the way as new roles are established across the lineup.The primary focus for the Blue Jays will be navigating their new rotation chemistry and showing consistent on-court maturity. Handling momentum swings, playing with composure in pressure situations, and finding reliable doubles synergy will be critical steps as Jamestown looks to develop its depth. Legacy Key returners: Connor Svihovec (All-WDA); Braxton Spooner, Andrew Jones, Kevin Kalb Outlook: The defending regular-season champion Sabres feature a distinct blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent heading into 2026. Legacy boasts high-end experience at the top of its card with senior leaders Connor Svihovec and Braxton Spooner, while the bottom of the varsity rotation will lean on newcomers looking to build match endurance. Coaches will emphasize technical skill development and early-season match play to get the lower flight players up to speed for the postseason push. Mandan Key returners: Jared Christen (All-State, All-WDA); Matthew Christen (All-WDA); Lucas DeRosier, Doaven Birdine Outlook: Mandan sets its sights on another deep postseason run behind a veteran core led by top returners led by senior Jared Christen. He looks to become the first WDA player to defend his region singles title since Legacy’s Michael Janes (2017 and 2018). He is just four wins away from tying current assistant coach Erik Porter’s all-time Mandan boys' tennis record of 161 career wins. Matthew Christen and Lucas DeRosier also have been in a lot of pressure matches over their careers, including at the state tournament. While the Braves boast proven talent at the top of the lineup, establishing consistent execution and chemistry across their doubles pairs will be the primary area to improve as they look to defend their West Region title for a third year in a row and pursue a top three finish at the state tournament. Minot High Key returners: Nolan Moore (All-State, All-WDA); Colton Ressler (All-WDA); Henrik Evanoff, Tyson Barden Outlook: The Magicians enter the campaign primed to challenge for the top spot in the WDA with high-end talent, strong intra-squad depth, and an ultra-competitive lineup. Minot High features nine players capable of earning a varsity tournament spot, creating healthy competition that should sharpen the roster all autumn.The focal point for the Magi will be establishing a relentless competitive mindset—grinding through adverse conditions and battling for every single point regardless of the score. If Minot High pairs its natural shot-making skill with daily toughness and consistency, the program possesses the pieces to contend with the premier teams across North Dakota. No question the program is among the most successful. Minot High is closing in on some impressive milestones. Just eleven wins away from 500 regular season dual victories and 18 from 700 total wins. Minot North Key returners: Colton Griffith (All-WDA); Brayden Callahan, Lucas Griffith, Reece Blikre) Outlook: Minot North enters the season looking to take a major step forward behind a solid four-man nucleus led by top returning ace Brayden Callahan alongside Colton Griffith, Lucas Griffith, and Reece Blikre. The squad was a match away from its first-ever state team dual tournament appearance. This could the year it breaks through. The primary point of emphasis for the Sentinels will be elevating their doubles play across all flights. Coaches will focus on aggressive net play and quick point conversion—challenging players to attack short balls, establish presence at the net, and put away opportunities early rather than extending rallies. Continued growth in doubles chemistry will be the key to turning competitive duals into victories. Williston Key newcomers: Brennan DeLorme, Torsten Thomas, Chaz Bakken Outlook: The Coyotes were hit the hardest by graduation with no holdovers. It’s going to take some time for this year’s team to get comfortable competing at the pace and intensity required for varsity matches. The squad’s top three players will be making their debut in WDA varsity duals. It’s a rebuilding year for the program, but there is a lot of pride in the Williston program and those in the lineup will be compete hard every time on the court.