Jordan Peterson earned his second consecutive trip to the state Class A boys tennis tournament, but this time as a singles player.

Last year, he and Mike Lindaman won their first match and were eliminated in the second round by the eventual state champions from Blake, Jack Bryant and Tips Jackley.

This year's experience had a touch of deja vu in that Peterson met Blake's Jack Bryant in the second round again with the same result. Bryant's 2007 doubles partner Tips Jackley went on to win his third consecutive doubles championship with a third different partner.

Peterson stroked his way to a first round victory over Maccray's Mitch Kremin with a solid 6-2, 6-1 display of experience and confidence at state. "Jordan played rather tight in the section semi to get to the big dance, so we were preparing to play loose and confident at the show," Coach Kevin Coughlin said. Peterson did just that by hitting big serves and moving forward with aggression, while finishing at the net with solid volleys.

In the second round, Peterson was matched against a player that he met earlier in the year under different conditions. At an Alexandria Invitational, Peterson faced Blake's Jack Bryant at one singles team play. Despite the windy conditions, Bryant's steady baseline game proved to be more consistent than Peterson's, resulting in a 6-1, 6-2 loss. Coming into the state rematch with greater confidence and a more aggressive game plan, Peterson

executed the balance

attacking with patience. "Bryant is very consistent

and strokes the ball deep, keeping the predator away from attacking positons.

Jordan made all the right decisions and with remarkable patience, but he just didn't execute as well as he needed to on a consistent basis."

As a result, Peterson was defeated 6-0, 6-2 in a match that was much closer than the score indicates. "Jordan literally beat Bryant up in a Rocky like fashion with an amazing array of shots that knocked Bryant back on his heels, but he also gave away enough points to keep him standing."

Bryant went on to capture third place over St. Paul Academy's John Hill, who Peterson also played earlier this year in a team match.

"All of Jordan's hard work, commitment and strength of our challenging schedule paid off at state. He was clearly a contender as he played with great composure, competitive grit, and clasic stroke mechancs."

Of all the public school players in the tournament, it could be soundly argued that Peterson was the strongest in the field.