Waldron repeats as Shelbyville Tennis Sectional champions

Charlie Fischer’s stellar tennis career at Waldron High School is nearly complete.

The senior helped lead the Mohawks to their second consecutive sectional title Thursday at Shelbyville, and third in the last four years. And he pushed his program record for wins in a career to 72 as part of a 5-0 victory over Morristown.

While he is the first to eclipse 70 career wins at Waldron, he will not be the last. And his record will likely be passed in the next two or three seasons.

Sophomore Caige Sheaffer is on track to break the record in 2028, and that could be eclipsed by Noah Leap one year later. Both Sheaffer and Leap also have the goal of being four-time sectional champions.

All were successful Wednesday in a hard-fought 3-2 win over Shelbyville and Thursday in the straight-set sweep of the Yellow Jackets.

“This is a special group of boys,” said Waldron head coach Ryan Berkemeier. “I have had a lot of them since sixth grade, especially this senior group.

“What I’ve noticed here recently is every team wants to out-do the previous team. That makes it even more special. We only have three losses. Last year’s team had four losses at this time. Little things like that is what they see.”

Waldron, now 15-3, will face Roncalli (14-7) on Tuesday in the semifinal round of the Center Grove Regional. The other semifinal will pit No. 3 Center Grove (19-2) against Connersville (21-2).

The regional bracket is identical to the 2025 bracket where Waldron defeated Roncalli, 4-1, before falling to Center Grove, 5-0.

In Thursday’s championship, it was Fischer (photo) that was last off the court. Morristown’s Eli Graves battled through two separate racket issues before finally succumbing to Fischer, 6-2, 6-0.

“He is just too steady. His serve is effective,” said Berkemeier. “You don’t want to put it on his forehand. His backhand has gotten so strong this year. His backhand might be better than his forehand right now.

“He is a kid that plays the game the right way. He doesn’t get mad if he misses a ball. He doesn’t get overexcited about making a great shot. He stays consistent with his game. That’s what has made him successful – opponents don’t know whether he is winning or losing.”

Fischer knew the record was within reach ahead of his senior season, but the sectional title means more to him.

“This year’s goal was, for me, to win a team sectional while pursuing the most wins,” he said. “I tied the (record) for most No. 1 singles wins in a year – that was another big goal for me.

“But I wanted to come out with my team and win another team sectional. That feeling is more electric than winning by yourself.”

Fischer improved to 19-3 with his win over Graves.

At No. 2 singles, Lincoln Fischer defeated Mitchell Ronan, 6-0, 6-1.

Leap was the first off the court following a 6-0, 6-0 win over Gage Frey at No. 3 singles.

Jackson Kuhn and Sheaffer started fast in a first set win then lingered through the second set at No. 1 doubles before securing a 6-0, 7-5 win over Ruston Kleine and Braxton Lenning.

The win improved the duo to 20-2 this season.

At No. 2 doubles, Owen Hartman and Wyatt Armstrong topped Ethan Tryon and Arik Trattner, 6-0, 6-1.

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