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The Register’s All-County boys tennis team for 2022.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Conrad Brown, University, Sr.

University’s Conrad Brown felt a bit overwhelmed in April after capturing the boys singles title at The Ojai, a tennis tournament with 120 years of history and legendary past champions.

“It’s a huge title for me,” he said. “I’m starting to process it.”

Despite feeling engulfed by the moment, Brown didn’t lose sight of his team goals. The senior quickly stated his desire to also win the CIF-SS Open Division crown.

About three weeks later, Brown helped the Trojans achieve that goal, placing his team atop the largest section in California.

For his efforts individually and in team competition, the UC Santa Barbara-bound Brown is The Register’s boys tennis player of the year.

University’s Conrad Brown returns the ball to Harvard-Westlake’s Pat Otero during their CIF-SS Open Division championship game in Irvine, CA, on Friday, May 28, 2021. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“Conrad set the tone for each of our team matches,” University coach John Kessler said. “He had a great year leading our team as well as achieving individual accomplishments.”

Brown’s biggest individual moment arrived on April 23 in Ojai.

He defeated Calabasas senior Marcus Sebastian in a tough three-set semifinal before sweeping Mira Costa senior Kelly Giese 6-1, 6-4 in the final.

Brown became the third University player to claim Ojai’s fabled Farnam Cup as the singles champion, joining Gage Brymer (2011-13) and Aditya Gupta (2019).

“That’s such a tough tournament to win,” Kessler said. “He played his way into the Ojai conversation with the Uni greats such as Gage Brymer.”

Brown opted not to play in the Pacific Coast League singles tournament — his only route to reach the CIF-SS individual championships — but devoted the rest of his energy toward team competition.

The Trojans stormed to the CIF-SS Open Division title, defeating Corona del Mar 12-6 in the final. Brown won two of his three matches in the championship, including a 6-1 victory against Niels Hoffmann at No. 1 singles in which he won six consecutive games.

“Big-time players show up in big-time matches,” Beckman coach Nick Friendt said of Brown, who was selected a National High School All-American.

Brown’s CIF finals performance and Ojai title came after he helped the Trojans claim the prestigious All-American team tournament in late March.

“Individual title, team title, All-American title,” Brown said, “I’m content with that.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Nick Friendt, Beckman

Beckman boys tennis coach Nick Friendt practices what he preaches on the tennis court.

He challenges his teams to embrace the difficult Pacific Coast League, and to stay ready for whatever comes next.

Right on cue, the veteran coach was the Patriots’ most vocal advocate as they dueled Los Alamitos for the CIF-SS Division 2 title in mid-May. He reminded players of the lessons of the Pacific Coast League, and they responded with a 10-8 victory at The Claremont Club for the first section title in school history.

For his efforts, Friendt is The Register’s boys coach of the year for the first time.

Beckman’s Nick Friendt is The Register’s boys tennis coach of the year for the 2022 season. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG)

“He’s an outstanding role model in terms of creating a team dynamic and teaching players to overcome and persevere through a tough league,” Portola coach Natasha Schottland said.

Beckman (18-10-1, 5-7) finished fifth in a Pacific Coast League that produced Open Division champion University, Open semifinalist Woodbridge, Division 1 semifinalist Portola and Division 1 quarterfinalist Northwood.

The Patriots earned the top seed in Division 2 but were tested in the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals. They won three close matches behind the emergence of freshman Caden Lee (66-19) and a well-balanced lineup.

In a 10-8 victory against Los Alamitos in the finals, Beckman’s depth shined as it clinched the championship in the third round on a victory at No. 2 doubles by senior Jonathan Prijyanonda and junior Dennis Wang.

Friendt spent much of that match encouraging Prijyanonda and Wang but downplayed his role afterward,  shifting the focus to his players and supportive administration

“Players win matches, not coaches,” he said. “Pacific Coast League tennis forges you by fire and the Irvine community produces the best players in high school tennis collectively.”

ALL-COUNTY BOYS TENNIS

FIRST TEAM

Singles

AJ Moore, Portola, Sr.

The Air Force-bound Moore claimed the Pacific Coast League singles title for the second consecutive season and reached the quarterfinals of CIF-SS individuals.

Steve Nguyen, Canyon, Jr.

The Crestview League champion reached the semifinals at The Ojai, and defeated Villa Park standout freshman Nathaniel Suh 6-4 during the regular season.

Doubles

Jack Cross, So. & Niels Hoffmann, So., Corona del Mar

The Surf League champions finished as the runner-ups at CIF-SS individual championships.

SangHyuk Im, So. & Konrad Walter-Wu, Sr., University

The at-large entry from the Pacific Coast League stormed to the title at the CIF-SS individual championships.

Advik Mareedu, Sr. & Warren Pham, Sr., Valencia

The champions of The Ojai reached the semifinals of the CIF-SS individual tournament and finished 16-2 as a team.

SECOND TEAM

Singles

Nathaniel Suh, Villa Park, Fr.

Alan Ton, Fountain Valley, Jr.

Cayden Wang, Santa Margarita, Fr.

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Doubles

Jonathan Hinkel, So. & Jack Knox, So., Corona del Mar

Champion Okey, Fr. & Winner Okey, Fr., University

Omar Khayat, University, Sr.

Patrick Riggs, Jr. & Jayce Spurgiasz, Jr., Woodbridge