Issued: March 15, 2004

WIDDER, STAFFORD TAKE FIRST AT EAU CLAIRE OPEN

EAU CLAIRE - Matt Widder (Sr.-Sheboygan Falls) took first place in the men's division while Jenny Stafford (Sr.-Middleton) took first in the women's at the 7th Annual Eau Claire Adult Open held this weekend at the Eau Claire YMCA Tennis Center.

The third-seeded Widder won his opening match 2-6, 6-4, 10-1 following a first round bye. Widder won 6-2, 6-3 in the quarterfinals and 2-6, 6-2, 10-6 in the semifinals to advance to the championship. Widder defeated top-seeded Douglas Matuska after Matuska was forced to retire with an injury.

The top-seeded Stafford won her opening match 6-1, 7-5 following a first round bye. Stafford defeated teammate Lindsey Lee (Jr.-Eau Claire/Memorial) 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) in the semifinals before defeating teammate and partner Katie Kuzma (So.-Buffalo, MN) 6-4, 6-4 in the finals.

Widder teamed with Adam Arians (Sr.-Mankato, MN/Loyola) to take first place in the doubles competition. Widder and Arians opened with a 6-0, 6-4 win in the quarterfinals and a 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 10-4 win the semifinals. Widder and Arians took home first place with a straight set 6-3, 6-2 win.

Stafford also doubled up her trophies sharing the doubles championship with Kuzma. Stafford and Kuzma won their opening round match 6-1, 6-0 and defeated teammates Molly Cadwell (Sr.-Fridley, MN) and Laura Geissler (Fr.-Coon Rapids, MN) 6-2, 6-1 in the finals.

Both the men's and women's teams will compete next when they travel to Orlando, Fla. as part of a spring break trip.

Complete Results