Boys Tennis: Bexley freshman Lessard grinds way to Division II singles title
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
Bexley’s Henry Lessard, shown with his parents and brother Sam, holds the OHSAA first place trophy after capturing the Division II title at the College of Wooster May 24. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Standing at the net after freshman Henry Lessard captured a Division II boys tennis championship, older brother Sam Lessard’s voice cracked as he took pride in the achievement.
Sam, a junior, who himself competed in the state tournament for the third time, spent five sets over two matches cheering his brother on after every point. By the time it was over, Sam’s voice was hoarse.
“Hopefully, he enjoys it and I’m not that annoying,” Sam Lessard said. “My voice is a little out of it. I wanted to give it everything I had because I know he’s on the court giving it everything he has.”
Henry Lessard fought his way through a grueling 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-3 win over Pepper Pike Orange senior Chika Nwaozuzu that took more than three hours to finish on the College of Wooster’s first court.
Henry was more focused on pumping himself up than anything happening around him. But he appreciated his brother’s support, nonetheless.
“I kind of just zoned out, but I knew what was going on,” said Henry, who finished 26-1, including a 7-0 record in three-set matches. “I didn’t really use it for energy (because) I pumped myself up. Him coming to support me out here and being on my side just felt really good.”
Henry Lessard knew it was going to be a grind after defeating Nwaozuzu 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 on April 19.
“Tennis is an individual sport in some aspects, but (Henry) just loves being part of a team and doing it with someone else – representing Bexley,” Lions coach Will Gingery said. “A three-hour match after a two and a half-hour match … it would have been easy for him to fold or cave in. But he did the opposite. Early in the second, he got a break (point) and in the second and third sets, he didn’t get broken.
“I think that just shows how special he is as a freshman. He’s only going to continue to get better – just knowing how hard he works and how much he loves tennis.”
Bexley freshman Henry Lessard prepares to hit a backhand during his three-set OHSAA finals win over Pepper Pike Orange senior Chika Nwaozuzu in Wooster May 24. Photo: Kevin Rouch
What the younger Lessard accomplished is nothing short of remarkable. He’s the first singles champion from Bexley since 1986 and sixth overall. The Lions tied Upper Arlington with the third most titles behind Cincinnati Walnut Hills’ nine and Cincinnati Country Day’s seven.
Lessard follows Bexley sophomore Amiya Bowles, who won her second consecutive Division II singles title last fall.
Bowles and Henry Lessard became the first from the same school to sweep singles titles in the same school year.
A school has swept singles twice in the same calendar year. Mason’s Vignesh Gogineni won in Division I in the spring of 2022 and Shyla Aggarwal won that fall and Westlake’s Colton Buffington won in the spring of 2012 and Lauren Golick won in the fall.
David Kass was the Lions’ last boys singles champion, winning the crown in Class A-AA in 1986. Previously, Jon Gurian won twice in 1972 and ‘73 followed by Mike Carruthers in ‘75 and ‘76.
Henry grinded through a semifinal match, defeating Cincinnati Seven Hills’ Avi Mahajan, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, earlier in the day.
The day was a grind for New Albany’s Abhinav Dandu, who defeated Olentangy Liberty sophomore Shane Hand 7-5, 6-4 in a semifinal before falling to Cincinnati St. Xavier’s Carson Dwyer 6-2, 6-2 to finish runner-up and 24-4 overall.
“(Dwyer) put pressure on me on the serve and his return was good,” said Dandu, a junior making his first appearance at state. “I wasn’t serving as well as I have previously. He played really well. (Overall), it was really exciting – especially getting second place my first time going.”
New Albany’s Abhinav Dandu hits a backhand during his OHSAA title match with Cincinnati St. Xavier’s Carson Dwyer at the College of Wooster May 24. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Dandu’s career has been a grind, coach Marc Thomas said.
“He’s dealt with some injuries (to his right arm and shoulder) and had some different things go on,” Thomas said. “He’s always been the kind of kid that takes what’s in front of him and fights for everything he can get. To come out and play as well as he did all season and to be in the situation where we’re always counting on his court (for a win). He played amazing.”
Junior Jackson Clements and the doubles team of senior Ben Bilenko and sophomore Tyler Thomas each went 1-1 on May 23 for the Eagles.
“We got three all-Ohio’s … anytime we’re putting together a season like that, it’s something to really be proud of,” coach Thomas said. “This team really responded well to some disappointments and not everything went our way. But we always battled through and were better as a result.”
Hand finished fourth after falling to Cincinnati Sycamore’s Nick Meyers 6-3, 6-2 as did the Columbus Academy doubles team of juniors Lucas Xue and Rowen Lo.
Xue and Lo fell to eventual Division II champions Ethan Remy and Dylan Catanese of Lexington 6-1, 6-4 in a semifinal and then fell to Cincinnati Indian Hill’s R.J. Poffenberger and Neelan Gandhi 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the third-place match.
Sam Lessard competed at state in singles as a freshman and doubles the last two years. He and senior Oscar Ramsden fell in the first round to Lexington’s Karl Etzel and Owen Gongwer on May 23.
“I’ve always known he’s a great tennis player,” Sam said of his brother. “He’s a fighter. I look up to him in a way … hopefully he looks up to me. I’m super proud of him and he gave it his all today.”
After recording the last point of his state title win, Bexley’s Henry Lessard celebrates with a racket drop and a hat flip at the College of Wooster May 25. Photo: Kevin Rouch