According to the Minnesota State High School League spring schedule, the boys' tennis state tournament will be held June 2-5. Officially, that is.
However, thanks to an unparalleled field of teams, the best team in Minnesota is likely to be determined Saturday at Edina's venerable John Rowe Invitational.
The tournament long has been considered the best dual-meet tournament of the season, but the lineup is especially strong this year.
All but one of the eight teams are ranked among the top 10 in their respective classes: Mounds View (No. 1, 2A), two-time defending state champion Wayzata (No. 2, 2A), East Ridge (No. 4, 2A), Minneapolis Washburn (No. 6, 2A, Maple Grove (No. 9, 2A), Rochester Mayo (No. 10, 2A) and Blake (No. 1, 1A).
Ironically, the only team participating that is not currently ranked is the school that is generally most identified with high school tennis excellence. Host Edina, which was ranked in the Class 2A top 10 to begin the season, fell out after dropping four of its first five matches.
The inclusion of Blake gives this tournament a sense of resolution that even the MSHSL cannot match. The Bears are strong favorites to win their third straight Class 1A team championship and have a chance to show where they stack up against the best in Class 2A.
The tournament begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with the finals taking place at about 2 p.m. at the Edina Community Center.
Elsewhere this week:
