Eagles Net Three Straight Strong Performances, Claim Colby Invitational Title
May 4, 2026
The Colby High School boys tennis team put together an impressive stretch of competition over the past two weeks, highlighted by a dominant championship performance at their home invitational and several individual honors at the Great West Activities Conference tournament.
The Eagles first tested themselves against a deep field at the Garden City Invitational on April 25, where Colby entered two squads and came away with a third-place finish for Colby Orange and an eighth-place showing for Colby Black.
Colby Orange tallied 100 team points to finish just behind Garden City White and Dodge City Red. Tony Jager led the way in singles, placing sixth after going 2-2 on the day, while Jack Denny also posted a 2-2 record to finish seventh.
In doubles, McCager Wright and Ames Schielke continued their strong season by earning fourth place with a 2-2 record. The duo of Stryker Shaw and Levi Haines battled through five matches, finishing 3-2 to place 13th.
Colby Black also delivered a solid effort against the larger schools. Harry Morris went 3-1 in singles, while Jude Horinek finished 3-2. In doubles, Zac Kistler and Hendrix Mead posted a 2-2 mark, and Kayden Davis and Xander Rhymer went 3-2.
The Eagles returned home on May 1 and turned in one of their best performances of the season at the Colby Varsity Invitational.
Colby Black captured the team championship with 52 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Hays with 40 points. Colby Orange added 20 points to place fifth.
The Black squad was nearly flawless, sweeping all four varsity divisions. Jack Denny claimed first place at No. 1 singles, Tony Jager won No. 2 singles, Wright and Schielke captured the No. 1 doubles title, and Haines and Shaw won the No. 2 doubles bracket.
Colby Orange also contributed valuable points. Harry Morris placed sixth at No. 1 singles, Hendrix Mead finished fourth at No. 2 singles, Zac Kistler and Kayden Davis took fifth at No. 1 doubles, and Jude Horinek and Xander Rhymer placed fifth at No. 2 doubles. Lukas Herrman and Tucker Shaw added a sixth-place finish in doubles competition.
The strong momentum continued into the Great West Activities Conference tournament on May 4, where Colby’s top four entries all earned medals.
Tony Jager captured the conference championship in singles, while Jack Denny finished as conference runner-up. Wright and Schielke earned third place in doubles, and Haines and Shaw finished fourth.
Denny also received one of the conference’s top individual honors when he was named the GWAC Boys Tennis Player of the Year.
The three-tournament stretch demonstrated Colby’s impressive depth, with both experienced players and emerging contributors finding success across singles and doubles. As postseason play approaches, the Eagles appear to be peaking at the right time after winning their home invitational and placing all four varsity entries among the top four in the conference.
