OJAI, Calif. — Cal Lutheran's Ransom Braaten won the Independent College Singles and then teamed up with Joshua Legardy to claim the Independent College Doubles as the Kingsmen competed at the Ojai 118th Annual Tournament which was held Thurday through Sunday. The Ojai is played on over 100 courts at over 30 locations throughout western Ventura County.
The Kingsmen had 10 competitors represent the Violet and Gold. Sebastian Ariza, Florent Auteil, Braaten, Kylel Gillam, Legardy, Michael Sulahian and Andrew Tufenkian all competed in the Men's Independent College Singles. Yahn Gawrit, Dara Kashani and Lucas Tilly all played in the Division III West Singles bracket.
Braaten had the most successful day for the Kingsmen as he claimed the Independent College Singles crown. Braaten opened the tournament with a 6-0, 6-3 win over Chapman's Matthew Mead. He then defeated Westmont's Austin Lee 6-3, 6-0 in the quarterfinals. He followed it up with a 6-2, 6-2, semifinals win against Georg Fox's Payton Namba. Braaten claimed the independent crown as he defeated George Fox's Keaten Baker 6-3, 6-2.
Braaten then teamed up with Legardy for the Independent College Doubles. They started by defeating Westmont 8-3. They were joined in the next round by Ariza and Auteil as they knocked off George Fox due to a withdraw. Gillam and Sulahian were defeated 2-8 by George Fox.
Braaten and Legardy then took on teammates Ariza and Auteil in the semifinals. Braaten and Legardy were victorious 8-2. They continued their dominant play and claimed the Independent College Doubles title with a win over Westmont. The duo lost the first set 3-6, but then came from behind and won the next two 6-3, 7-6 (10-5), and claimed the match.
The rest of the Kingsmen didn't fare to well. In the Independent College Singles, Ariza lost 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, Tufenkian fell 6-4, 0-6, 1-6, Auteil was defeated 3-6, 3-6, Gillam came up short 3-6, 0-6, Sulahian was knocked off 3-6, 4-6 and Lagrady lost 3-6, 2-6.
Tufenkian bounced back in the consolation bracket. He won the consolation side as he defeated George Fox's Justin Barton 6-2, 6-2.
In the Division III West Singles, Gawrit and Tilly opened with a win, but Kashani lost. Gawit was victorious 6-1, 6-4 and Tilly came back and won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Both lost in the next round as Gawrit fell 75-, 4-6, 4-6 and Tilly was defeated 5-7, 3-6. Kashani fell 4-6, 6-3, 2-6 and then lost in the consolation side due to an injury.
For the Division III West Doubles, Kashani and Tufenkian opened with a 8-2 win against Southwestern. Gawrit and Tilly failed to advance as they lost 4-8. Kashani and Tufenkian then lost in the quarterfinals 4-8.
On the consolation side, Gawrit and Tilly advanced with a 8-6 win over Chapman. The duo then won the semifinals 8-5 against Occidental. Gawrit and Tilly wrapped up the consolation side and won the finals 8-2.
Up next for Cal Lutheran is George Fox. The Kingsmen host the Bruins Monday at 1 p.m. at the Poulson Tennis Center.
Results: USTA Link
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director