Boys Tennis Makes MSHSL History with Fifth Consecutive Team Title
The St. Paul Academy and Summit School boys tennis team has once again etched its name into Minnesota high school tennis history.
The Spartans captured the 2026 Class A State Team Championship on Wednesday, June 3, at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis, securing their fifth consecutive state title and setting a new Minnesota State High School League record for consecutive team championships. According to the MSHSL, no boys’ tennis program has ever won five straight state team titles.
The historic championship match came against Breck, a team that handed the Spartans a 1-6 loss earlier in the regular season. Despite the scoreline, Head Coach Jono Martin knew the teams were more evenly matched than the result suggested.
“We knew it was going to be a tough match, but if we competed hard and played smart, we had a good chance to win,” Martin said.
That belief was put to the test in a thrilling state championship showdown.
With the Spartans trailing 2-3 late in the match, only two courts remained in play. SPA needed victories from both Allan Wang ’26 at No. 1 singles and Luca Kempcke ’28 at No. 4 singles to claim the state title.
Wang delivered first. Trailing 2-5 in the second set and battling cramping in his hand, he mounted an incredible comeback to force a tiebreak and eventually secure the match, leveling the team score at 3-3.
All eyes then turned to Kempcke, the final Spartan still on court and the player carrying the weight of a fifth consecutive state championship.
“He battled hard and was able to serve it out at 5-4 in the second set to give the team the win,” Martin said. “The energy and atmosphere was incredible, and the moment was perfect for Luca as he thrived in that position.”
The championship marks the ninth state team title in program history and extends one of the most dominant runs in Minnesota high school athletics. While the record setting achievement will be remembered for years to come, Martin believes it reflects the dedication and mindset this group brought to every day throughout the season.
“The team has had very high expectations all season long, and winning the state tournament for the fifth consecutive time was a goal for the team this year,” Martin said. “They have worked so hard this season and have pushed each other to get better each and every day. I’m so proud of their accomplishments, and they deserve all of their success because they have earned it.”
Martin added that the team’s drive for excellence helped fuel another championship run.
“The team was never satisfied with just being good, they wanted to be great.”
Five consecutive state championships is a remarkable achievement, and this year’s team added another chapter to an already historic legacy. With the victory, the Spartans didn’t just defend a championship—they made Minnesota tennis history.
Read more about the historic victory: