Gaskell, Charoenkul advance to semifinals at state tennis

WATERLOO ? Fairfield Head Coach Heidi Grunwald is two state semifinal match wins away from an all-Fairfield final.

In the Class 1A state singles tournament at Byrnes Park in Waterloo, defending champion Anatta Charoenkul and top-seed Yana Gaskell won each of their first two matches Wednesday.

Gaskell defeated Alex Griggs from Knoxville 6-0, 6-0 in the round of 16 before advancing past the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-0 win against Kate Rietz of Ballard.

Charoenkul drew Columbus Catholic?s Anna Sinnott in the opening round, beating her 6-0, 6-0 before dismissing Nichole Gilbert from Shenandoah 6-1, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

Gaskell will face Gretchen Jones from Clear Lake while Charoenkul will go against Brooke Jorgensen of Pella with both matches beginning at 9:30 a.m. today with the Trojan duo hoping to play for the state title around noon.

The Ledger will have photos and interviews from the final two rounds in Friday?s edition.