Libby's Beagle wins two titles at Western Montana Open

Libby’s Ryan Beagle may not have won a state tennis title at the high school level earlier this year, but he’s still working hard at achieving the ultimate goal.

Beagle recently won the singles and doubles championships in the 18-and-under classes at the Western Montana Open Junior in Missoula on the weekend of July 21-23.

"When you're trying to get better, it's good to play more and against different players," Beagle said. "It's also a place to be seen by college coaches and get on their radar."

In singles action, Beagle scored three straight-set wins in four matches.

He opened with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Samuel Ender. He battled past Ryan Hutchinson in three sets before winning, 6-2, 1-6 and 10-5.

In the semifinals, Beagle topped Joshua Bonner, 6-3, 6-3, and topped Harrison Sanders, 6-2, 6-4, for the championship.

In the doubles competition, Beagle teamed up with Hutchinson to score two straight-set wins for the championship.

Hutchinson is from Corvallis.

"We ran into each other at a tournament this spring and I mentioned playing doubles together," Beagle said. "He was interested, so it worked out pretty well. We're both pretty competitive."

In the semifinals, they beat Ray Bonner and Joshua Bonner, 6-2, 6-0. For the title, they topped Jack Currie-Welch and Samuel Ender, 6-2, 6-3.

It’s been a busy July for Beagle as he’s competed in the Spokane Summer Classic Junior Tennis Tournament and the Montana State Junior Open.

In Spokane, he and Hutchinson teamed up to win the doubles crown in the 18-and-under group.

Beagle claimed third in singles in the same age group in Spokane.

At the Montana State Junior Open, Beagle lost early in the tournament before rebounding to place third by beating Andy Purcell in three sets.

Beagle said he was happy with the way his summer tennis schedule has worked.

"Football starts next week so it's time to get ready for that, but I got my share of tennis in and I'm happy with the way it went," Beagle said.