McDonogh caps a perfect season with MIAA A Conference tennis championship
The Eagles win their first league title since 2011
by Derek Toney
The wait is over for McDonogh School tennis. The Eagles won the MIAA A Conference crown Thursday with a 3-2 decision over Calvert Hall College in Owings Mills.
The No. 2 doubles duo of Spencer Park and Rajan Marhawa clinched it with a straight set victory, setting off a celebration nearly two decades in the making.
It was McDonogh’s first tennis championship since 2011. The Eagles capped an undefeated season at 12-0.
“It’s probably one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever had in my life, just contributing so much to a school that’s gone through some tough times,” said Park, a senior. “Being able to be a part of it and leave a mark is just a great feeling.”
McDonogh’s No. 1 doubles tandem of freshman Sky Master and David Bernstein and junior No. 3 singles Gil Booker captured victories.
Eagles coach Paul Azu said the championship foundation started with players like Josh Maller (No. 1 singles) and Landon Tammadon (No. 2 singles) in McDonogh’s lower school.
“We had an idea that we had to just build a team where players had to play tournaments every weekend and work on their skills with their coaches,” said Azu.
Eight of the Eagles’ 10 varsity players are underclassmen, including five freshmen.
“They’re deep,” said Calvert Hall coach David Mast.
The Cardinals (11-6), looking for their first title since 2023 when it snapped Gilman’s run of eight straight A crowns, got victories Thursday from Austin Chunn and freshman Francis Ceballos (No. 2 singles).
“I really feel like this team really overachieved,” added Mast. “Our No. 1 and 2 singles are freshman…we’re going to be back big next year.”
The MIAA tennis season concludes with the singles and doubles championship tournament this coming Monday through Wednesday. McDonogh will host the A & B tourney while Annapolis Area Christian School hosts the C.
“I really hope we can use this momentum,” said Park, who will attend Villanova University in the fall. “Our job’s not done until it’s done.
MIAA A CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
MCDONOGH 3, CALVERT HALL 2
NO. 1 SINGLES - Austen Chunn (Calvert Hall) def. Josh Maller (McDonogh), 6-1, 6-4
NO. 2 SINGLES - Francis Ceballos (Calvert Hall) def. Landon Tammadon (McDonogh), 6-0, 6-4
NO. 3 SINGLES - Gil Boker (McDonogh) def. Christian Coulson (Calvert Hall), 6-1, 6-0
NO. 1 DOUBLES - Sky Amster & David Barnstein (McDonogh) def. Conor Gibbs and Andrew Murray (Calvert Hall), 6-0, 6-1
NO. 2 DOUBLES - Spencer Park & Rajan Marhawa (McDonogh) def. Tim Gonzal & David Susko (Calvert Hall) 6-3, 6-1