Harrisburg repeats as Eastern South Dakota Conference boys tennis champ

Milbank's Franklin Pederson hits a serve during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Kaden McCaulley reaches to make a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Dawson Hartman follows through after hitting a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Brodryck Speth clubs a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Will Muellenbach hits a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Boston Butler serves the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Jackson Briggs hits the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Cooper Nielsen tries to catch the ball with his fingers after an opponent's serve went long during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Tyson Lawrence smacks a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Jonah Raml reaches up to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Evan Henderson makes a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Davide Botte stretches to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Xane Fligge keeps his eye on the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Austin Josephson makes a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Taren Veflin charges the net to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Cullen Aldren watches the ball hit his racket during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Brodie McCarty reaches to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Jonathan Boettcher hits the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Jack Mack focuses on making a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Oakley McMillen returns the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's David Socha hits the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Parker Grabow connects with the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Paul Feist tracks the ball to his racket during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Nolan Grabow signals out before hitting the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Gus Mack charges to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Carter Kemmis hits a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Isaac Honeyman smacks a return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Devon Mueller hits a backhand shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Watertown's Penn Feist reaches to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Asher Vandewater smacks a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Emmett Schuelke charges to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

Milbank's Mason Kirchberg makes a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

1 / 37

Watertown records dual wins over SF Jefferson & Milbank in boys tennis

Watertown's Matthew Bertsch connects on a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

1 / 37

Watertown records dual wins over SF Jefferson & Milbank in boys tennis

Watertown's Matthew Bertsch connects on a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

2 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Cooper Smith slams the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

3 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Alex Baugh takes a swing during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

4 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Lane Grabow stays focused on the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

5 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Joey Meester makes a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

6 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Franklin Pederson hits a serve during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

7 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Kaden McCaulley reaches to make a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

8 / 37

Watertown records dual wins over SF Jefferson & Milbank in boys tennis

Watertown's Dawson Hartman follows through after hitting a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

9 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Brodryck Speth clubs a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

10 / 37

Watertown records dual wins over SF Jefferson & Milbank in boys tennis

Milbank's Will Muellenbach hits a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

11 / 37

Watertown records dual wins over SF Jefferson & Milbank in boys tennis

Watertown's Boston Butler serves the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

12 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Jackson Briggs hits the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

13 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Cooper Nielsen tries to catch the ball with his fingers after an opponent's serve went long during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

14 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Tyson Lawrence smacks a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

15 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Jonah Raml reaches up to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

16 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Evan Henderson makes a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

17 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Davide Botte stretches to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

18 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Xane Fligge keeps his eye on the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

19 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Austin Josephson makes a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

20 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Taren Veflin charges the net to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

21 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Cullen Aldren watches the ball hit his racket during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

22 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Brodie McCarty reaches to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

23 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Jonathan Boettcher hits the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

24 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Jack Mack focuses on making a forehand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

25 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Oakley McMillen returns the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

26 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's David Socha hits the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

27 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Parker Grabow connects with the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

28 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Paul Feist tracks the ball to his racket during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

29 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Nolan Grabow signals out before hitting the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

30 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Gus Mack charges to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

31 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Carter Kemmis hits a backhand return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

32 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Isaac Honeyman smacks a return during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

33 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Devon Mueller hits a backhand shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

34 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Watertown's Penn Feist reaches to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

35 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Sioux Falls Jefferson's Asher Vandewater smacks a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

36 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Emmett Schuelke charges to hit the ball during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

37 / 37

Watertown boys post two 8-1 dual victories in home triangular

Milbank's Mason Kirchberg makes a return shot during a high school boys tennis triangular on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Highland Park tennis courts in Watertown.

YANKTON — Harrisburg won five of the six singles flights and all three doubles flights on the way to repeating as the team champion in the 2026 Eastern South Dakota Conference Boys Tennis Tournament.

The Tigers led Brandon Valley 150-138 after opening-day play on Monday, May 11 before pulling away on Tuesday, May 12. Harrisburg scored 436 points, followed by Brandon Valley at 279.5.

Watertown placed fifth (91) and Aberdeen Central sixth (44.5) in the nine-team tournament.

Xane Fligge (No. 2) and Tyson Lawrence (No. 5) each placed third and Matthew Bertsch (No. 3) fourth in singles for Watertown. Dawson Hartman won the consolation championship at No. 4 and Bertsch and Joey Meester placed fourth at No. 2 doubles.

"I was proud of the guys as they always put forth their best effort," Watertown coach Ryan Zink said. "Doubles has been a bit of a struggle lately, so that will be our focus over the next week at practice as we prapre for state out in Rapid City."

Dawson Pederson won the consolation championship at No. 1 singles for Aberdeen Central. he also teamed with his brother Gannon to win the consolation champion at No. 1 doubles. Grayson Rehder and Josiah Grandpre placed fourth at No. 3 doubles. Gannon Pederson (No. 3) and Wyatt Kiesz (No. 4) each lost in consolation championships in singles.

Huron and Pierre will compete in the state Class A tourney on Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19 at Rapid City. Watertown, Aberdeen Central and the rest of the ESD teams will play Thursday and Friday, May 21-22 in the state Class AA tourney at Rapid City.

"State will be interesting with O'Gorman, Harrisburg and Sioux Falls Lincoln all great teams at the top," Zink said. "The kids need a few days off to rest up and I know they'll be ready to compete at state."

Watertown's Dawson Hartman competes in the fourth flight singles quarterfinals on Monday, May 11, 2026, during the Eastern South Dakota Conference Boys Tennis Championships at Yankton. Hartman went on to win the fourth flight singles consolation championship in the tourney, which concludes on Tuesday, May 12.

Overall Results

• Final Team Scores — 1. Harrisburg, 436; 2. Brandon Valley, 279.5; 3. Mitchell, 188; 4. Yankton, 180; 5. Watertown, 91; 6. Aberdeen Central, 44.5; 7. Brookings, 34.5; 8. Pierre, 19.5; 9. Huron, 16.5.
• Singles Champions — Alex Rallis of Harrisburg (first flight), Jackson Hancock of Harrisburg (second flight), Robby Rallis of Harrisburg (third flight), Cooper Rott of Harrisburg (fourth flight), Ozil Sharma of Harrisburg (fifth flight) and Dayton Adams of Mitchell (sixth flight).
• Doubles Champions — Alex Rallis-Jackson Hancock of Harrisburg (first flight), Robby Rallis-Cooper Rott of Harrisburg (second flight) and Ozil Sharma-Howie Rost of Harrisburg (third flight).

2026 AREA BOYS TENNIS PREVIEW: State Class AA & A boys tennis tourneys slated for May at Rapid City

Watertown Results

• Joey Meester (No. 1 Singles) — Lost play-in 10-1 to Htoo Zan, Huron.
• Xane Fligge (No. 2 Singles) — Won 10-5 over Lay Gay Soe, Huron; lost 10-0 to Jackson Hancock, Harrisburg; won 8-3 over Asher Dannenbring, Mitchell. Third place.
• Matthew Bertsch (No. 3 Singles) — Won 10-3 over Brady Lowery, Pierre; lost 10-0 to Robby Rallis, Harrisburg; lost 8-1 to Ryley McKeown, Brandon Valley. Fourth place.
• Dawson Hartman (No. 4 Singles) — Lost 10-9 (5) to Ethan Marsh, Yankton; won 8-3 over Wyatt Kiesz, Aberdeen Central, 8-3; won 8-1 over Levi Hight, Pierre. Consolation champion.
• Tyson Lawrence (No. 5 Singles) — Won 10-1 over Ted Lin, Brookings; lost 10-1 to Simon Wiese, Mitchell; won 8-3 over Jack Pedersen, Yankton. Third place.
• Taren Veflin (No. 6 Singles) — Lost play-in to Grayson Rehder, Aberdeen Central, 10-8.
• Fligge-Hartman (No. 1 Doubles) — Lost 10-1 to Matthew Mauszycki-Cooper Star, Mitchell; lost 8-6 to Lucas Hight-Noah Lueking, Pierre.
• Meester-Bertsch (No. 2 Doubles) — Won 10-2 over Lay Gay Soe-Jeremiah Notario, Huron; lost 10-0 to Robby Rallis-Cooper Rott, Harrisburg; lost 8-7 (6) to Asher Dannenbring-Dawson Adams, Mitchell. Fourth place.
• Lawrence-Veflin (No. 3 Doubles) — Lost play-in 10-6 to Max Vincelli-Ryley McKeown, Brandon Valley.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK POLL: Athletes from a variety of sports up for Public Opinion-Aberdeen News honor

Aberdeen Central Results

• Dawson Pederson (No. 1 Singles) — Lost 10-1 to Harrison Krawjewski, Yankton; won 8-0 over Lucas Hight, Pierre; won 8-5 over Matthew Mauszycki, Mitchell. Consolation champion.
• Aric Tennant (No. 1 Singles) — Won play-in 10-5 over Henry Stedman, Brookings; lost 10-0 to Jackson Hancock, Harrisburg; lost 8-5 to Lah Gay Soe, Huron.
• Gannon Pederson (No. 3 Singles) — Lost 10-4 to Ryley McKeown, Brandon Valley; won 8-6 over Cooper Star, Mitchell; lost 8-7 (5) to Brady Lowery, Pierre in consolation championship.
• Wyatt Kiesz (No. 4 Singles) — Won play-in 10-7 over Jack Woodward, Brookings; lost 10-0 to Cooper Rott, Harrisburg; lost 8-3 to Dawson Hartman, Watertown in consolation championship.
• Alex Tarver (No. 5 Singles) — Lost 10-1 to Simon Wiese, Mitchell; lost 8-7 (7-2) to Ted Lin, Brookings.
• Grayson Rehder (No. 6 Singles) — Won play-in 10-8 over Taren Veflin, Watertown; lost 10-3 to Howie Rost, Harrisburg; lost 8-6 to Jeremiah Notario, Huron.
• D. Pederson-G. Pederson (No. 1 Doubles) — Lost 10-3 to Harrison Krajewski-Luke Moeller, Yankton; won 8-4 over Zachary Mueller-Henry Stedman, Brookings; def. Lucas Hight-Noah Lueking, Pierre, 8-2. Consolation champions.
• Tennant-Kiesz (No. 2 Doubles) — Won play-in 10-5 over Kerrick Zhang-Ted Lin, Brookings; lost 10-1 to Robby Rallis-Cooper Rott, Harrisburg; lost 8-5 to Lay Gay Soe-Jeremiah Notario, Huron.
• Rehder-Josiah Grandpre (No. 3 Doubles) — Won 10-6 over Riley Winegar-Jim Wah, Huron; lost 10-1 to Max Vincelli-Ryley McKeown, Brandon Valley; lost 8-2 to Jack Pedersen-Zane Becker, Yankton. Fourth place.

Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: 2026 Eastern S.D. Conference boys tennis tourney