Submitted photo: Returning letterwinners for the St. Edmond boys tennis squad are (left to right): Ethan Cibert, Grant Anderson, Andrew Horrell, Dylan Brokaw and Josh Abbiehl.

Shawn Neverman was anticipating a smooth spring for the first time since helping resurrect the St. Edmond boys tennis team.

Instead, he was faced with news that required quick problem-solving from several different people.

Prior to this school year, both boys and girls tennis meets took place at the same time. That meant a collective effort was needed in terms of use of court time and coaching responsibilities, as Neverman also serves in the same role with the Gael girls.

“I’m sure that going into the season the guys were looking forward to not having to share the courts with the girls, but plans unexpectedly changed when the city decided that the surface of the Butler Courts was deemed unplayable,” Neverman said. “Luckily, the Dodgers have been super accommodating with letting us share the courts with their boys.

“Our schedules worked out where neither of us were scheduled for a home meet on the same day. A huge thank you to (Fort Dodge Senior High) head coach Scott Messerly, (FDSH) athletic director Brandon Ruffridge and (Fort Dodge Community School District) superintendent Josh Porter for working with myself and (St. Edmond activities director) David Flattery to make it all work.”

St. Edmond returns juniors Andrew Horrell, Grant Anderson, Josh Abbiehl and Dylan Brokaw, along with sophomore Ethan Cibert. Newcomers to the roster include 11th-grader Abram Ribbens and 10th-grader Alex Hayes.

“Practice has been going well and the guys are getting better every day,” Neverman said. “With most of the guys returning for year two, we just had to knock some rust off.

“Abram and Alex have been solid additions to the team.”

Cibert held the No. 1 position for much of 2025, with Horrell getting in a couple matches in that spot. Anderson, Brokaw and Abbiehl were all varsity regulars who are back for the Gaels.

“After coaching the boys in practice only last year, it will be nice to see the work that they have been putting in during practice pay off in some meets,” Neverman said. “It will also give me an idea of what we may need to work on in practice to improve throughout the season.”

The North Central Conference meet takes place May 6 in Webster City while individual Class 1A districts are set for May 16. Team districts start four days later.

After opening on the road at Clear Lake on Tuesday, next Tuesday at Nevada and at Aplington-Parkersburg on April 10, St. Edmond makes its home debut on April 14 vs. Webster City.

2026 ST. EDMOND BOYS TENNIS

Roster

Juniors — Andrew Horrell, Grant Anderson, Josh Abbiehl, Dylan Brokaw, Abram Ribbens.

Sophomores — Ethan Cibert, Alex Hayes.

Schedule

March 31 — at Clear Lake.

April 7 — at Nevada; 10 — at Aplington-Parkersburg; 14 — Webster City; 17 — Storm Lake; 21 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 23 — at Webster City; 28 — Iowa Falls-Alden.

May 6 — at NCC meet in Webster City.