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Zakowski wins state tennis title

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By Rich Palzewic

Sports Editor


MADISON – Johnny Zakowski from Green Bay Southwest High School delivered the biggest match of his tennis career when it mattered most.

In a monumental day for Green Bay metro tennis, Zakowski, the No. 4 seed in the WIAA Division 1 individual state tennis tournament, beat No. 2 seeded Nathan Balthazor from De Pere in the finals, 7-5, 6-3, at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison June 1.

“Wow, what a moment,” said Zakowski via phone after his finals match. “I was really exhausted, but I was mentally tough and pulled things out in the end. It was an incredible experience being out there.”

In the second set in the finals, Zakowski was trailing 3-1 against Balthazor before rattling off five straight games to win the title.

Two hours earlier, Zakowski, a University of Denver commit, beat the No. 1 seeded Will Tennison from Verona Area in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

“There were a lot of momentum swings back and forth in both of my matches,” Zakowski said. “I took things point-by-point and I didn’t get ahead of myself. My semifinal win gave me confidence against Nathan in the finals.”

Southwest and De Pere are both members of the Fox River Classic Conference, so the two players know one another well.

“Knowing Nathan and playing against him since I was 10 years old, it was hard in that respect,” Zakowski said. “It was tough physically, but I was mentally tough and tried to capitalize on any mistake he made. Nate’s a good guy and will have a great college career at Marquette.”

Earlier in the season, Balthazor had beaten Zakowski in a third-set super-breaker, 11-9.

Zakowski then returned the favor at sectionals, beating his rival in straight sets.

It was the first time a Green Bay public school metro player won a state championship since Green Bay West’s Don Rondeau won a title way back in 1950.

“Having Johnny beat both the No. 1 and 2 seeds is the exciting part,” said Southwest head coach Randy Nelson. “He beat Tennison in a three-hour match, and then he had two hours off before the finals. We weren’t sure he’d have enough left in the tank, but he gutted it out.”

John Zakowski, Nathan Balthazor

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