Juan Guerra (left) and Kace Lovejoy pose for a photo on Aug. 3, 2024 at Abrahamson Courts in Escanaba. (Courtesy photo/Tom Penegor)

ESCANABA — Over 80 people competed in the 77th annual Michigan/Wisconsin Tennis Open this last weekend at Abrahamson Courts in Escanaba.

But there was one flash of familiarity in the Men’s A singles field. One with international ties.

Denny Lunenberg found himself in the finals of the Men’s A field in 1975 and 1977. In both instances he fell short to Enrique Quimbaya from the nation of Columbia.

Fast forward to 2024 and the nation of Columbia once again claimed first place in the Men’s A field. Juan Guerra, who now resides in Williamsburg, Mich., knocked off Traverse City’s Kace Lovejoy 6-, 6-1 to claim the title.

In Men’s B action It was Escanaba math teacher and girls’ tennis coach Chris Ogren earning a 6-2, 6-2 win over Gaylord’s Dan Hawkins. Felix Albano of Niagara, Wis. conquered Escanaba’s Ken Swanson 8-0 in the Men’s 40’s singles class. Dennis Kreuser was crowned champion in the Men’s 55 singles division.

In boys 12-16 action Escanaba’s Chase Korpi defeated Iron Mountain’s Malakai Broersma 6-3, 7-6. Iron Mountain’s Landon Adam conquered Isaac LeBouet, also of Iron Mountain, 6-2, 6-2. In girls’ 16-18 action it was Marquette’s Payton Bullock defeating Escanaba’s Sonya Maki 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles action also saw its fair share of action.

Adam and LeBouet teamed up to defeat Escanaba’s duo of Connor Howes and Nick Garcia in the Boys 16-18 division. Bullock teamed with Payton Pleaugh to knock off Natalie Williams and Samantha Manninen in the Girls 16-18 class.

In Men’s A doubles action it was Lovejoy and George Lowe knocking off Guerra and Aaron 6-1, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6). Men’s B doubles action saw the tandem of Ogren and Chris Bonzyck defeat Dan Hawkins and Kyte Hawkins 6-3, 6-2. Earl Lepisto and Kreuser emerged victorious in the Men’s 55 doubles division. Katy Hicks and Audrey Veale bested Zoe Geronimi and Teagan Petschar 6-1,7-5 in Women’s doubles action.

Mixed A doubles: Katie Hicks and Alek Shanks won the Mixed A doubles class while Tom Penegor and Sue Penegor won the Mixed B doubles field.