Ranch's tennis appeal denied

The Florida High School Athletic Association on Friday upheld Naples Barron Collier’s win over Lakewood Ranch during Thursday’s Class 3A-Region 6 boys tennis final.
The Mustangs filed a protest in regards to the eligibility of Barron Collier’s Bjorn Frantagelo, who competed at No. 1 doubles Thursday.
“We accept the FHSAA’s decision,” said Lakewood Ranch coach Ed Bongart. “What I was told was even though Barron Collier had some errors on their entry sheet, those errors were not significant enough or big enough to warrant changing the decision of the match.”
Frantangelo was not present during Barron Collier’s district tournament, and could have been eligible to compete in regional play if he was listed on the entry list as an alternate. But Bongart said Barron Colliers’s coaches told him Frantangelo was listed at playing No. 1 doubles on the entry sheet, and since he didn’t compete at district, should have been prohibited from playing the remainder of the postseason.
Thursday, Frantangelo and his partner, Brett Clark, won their No. 1 doubles match in straight sets to help Barron Collier beat Lakewood Ranch 4-3 after the Mustangs won three of five singles matches. The Cougars will head to next week’s Class 3A state tournament.
The Mustangs went 19-1 this season and won a district championship.
“We’ll have to look forward to next year,” Bongart said, “and remember the nice season that we had.”