One year ago, Mahtomedi senior Sam Rathmanner was just looking to show he belonged.
He was unseeded going into the 2023 Class 2A tennis state tournament but pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament when he defeated top-seeded Collin Beduhn of Wayzata 7-5, 6-1 in the singles quarterfinals. It was unexpected, considering Rathmanner had lost to the 6-foot-6 Beduhn twice during the regular season.
“It was for sure the biggest and best win I ever had in high school tennis,” Rathmanner said Monday. “And to do it at Baseline, where you had good viewing and everyone was there to watch Collin. It got really loud. It was so much fun.”
He lost in the semifinals but went on to take third place.
No way Rathmanner flies under the radar this year. He goes into the tournament ranked No. 2 in Class 2A and sports a 28-1 record. He’s seeded No. 2, behind Rochester Mayo sophomore Tej Bhagra. Bhagra won a head-to-head match between the two 7-5, 6-1.
The state championships begin Tuesday with team quarterfinals leading to a championship match Wednesday. The individual competition runs Thursday and Friday.
If Rathmanner gets through to the semifinals Friday, he could see a familiar name across the net from him. Wayzata junior Aaron Beduhn, Collin’s younger brother, is the No. 3 seed and in the same bracket. Rathmanner said he’s ready.
“I’m much more confident this year,” he said. “Last year, I was concerned about both Collin and [eventual champion] Matthew Fullerton. Last year showed me anything can happen. This year, I know I can beat anyone.”
