Boys Tennis: St. Charles North takes home sectional title

ST. CHARLES – Conor Bajuk is a deadly force on the tennis courts.

The St. Charles North junior has 80 wins in three years on varsity, according to North Stars coach Sean Masoncup. Qualifying for state in consecutive seasons as part of a doubles team, Bajuk "really took his game to the next level" in the offseason to prepare for singles play this season.

"Connor is our leader," Masoncup said. St. Charles North captured first place at its own sectional meet on May 18, the program's first title since 2014.

"[Bajuk] works [for] hours and played a ton of tournaments," Masoncup continued. "The last two years of doubles has helped him to finish points for sure."

On May 18, Bajuk defeated East Aurora's Noah Hook 6-0, 6-0 and West Aurora's Iso Abdusalomov 6-0, 6-1 before Batavia senior Chase Bremner beat him 6-2, 6-3. Bajuk beat Metea Valley's Aleksander Schroeder 6-4, 6-2 for third place.

"He has had several great matches [this season], one vs [Wheaton North's] Kevin Li, [a] returning top 20 player," Masoncup said. "Then, a three set loss to [Batavia's] Brogan Pierce – The only player in conference to take him to three sets. Brogan is a top-15 kid in the state."

St. Charles North as a team placed second in sectionals in each of the past four seasons, qualifying athletes for state every year.

"But, to finally break through and win a title says a lot about the kids we had this year," Masoncup said. "They came to practice each and every day and their hardwork paid off."

St. Charles North is also sending two doubles pairs to state – junior Alex Geivelis and senior Brett Walden and junior Josh Joseph and senior Reed Goldsworthy. The pairs took second and third, respectively.

"They are scary good," Masoncup said on the duos. "Both teams could make a nice run at the state meet."

Pierce and Batavia senior Chase Bremner took the top two singles spots advancing to state. Pierce, with a personal win-loss record of 31-2, has won 30 consecutive matches.

Bremner is no slouch either, entering state with a 34-1 record. His only loss of the season to this point?

Against Pierce in a 6-3, 6-3 decision in the sectional final.

"[It takes] hard work at practice and keep on fighting in matches," Bremner said of his record.

Batavia as a team took third.

"Playing against big hitters like Brogan helps my game by making me figure out different stategies on how to win," Bremner continued.

Bremner, a three-time state qualifier, apparently doesn't feel a target on his back.

"No, I like look back at my scores to reflect on what I was doing bad and good on the match," Bremner said. "And, work on my mistakes in practice...I’m just hoping I can play well at state."

St. Charles East placed fourth as a team in sectionals, and will send doubles duo senior Colin Johnson and senior Zach Moss to state.