PHOTO BY STEVE BEARDEN/STC SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR - STC senior Tanner Large competes at a tennis meet earlier this spring season. Large reached the semifinals of the state qualifying meet.

FAIRFIELD — STC senior Tanner Large has had many highlights in his career as a Trojan athlete — including in football and basketball. But his final matches of his tennis career will rank right up there with them all.

Large made the 101 mile trip to Fairfield on Saturday, May 16, to compete in the Class 1A, District 4 meet. To reach his ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2026 state tennis meet, Large needed to win three matches that day — all as an unseeded competitor.

In his first match of the day, Large faced Central Dewitt’s Noah Erickson. After winning the first set, 7-5, Large’s play grew even stronger. He went on to take the second set, 6-2, and secured the victory to move on to the quarterfinal round.

In that quarterfinal round, Large squared off against the #2 seeded Bowen Zhang of Fairfield. Zhang came out strong and took the opening set, 7-5. But Large bounced back and dominated the second set, 6-1. In the deciding third set, Large pulled off the massive upset, 11-9, and found himself advancing to the semifinal round. He was one win away from qualifying for state, as the winner of the semifinal automatically punched their ticket.

Large drew the #3 seed Rowen Benda from Fort Madison in the semis. The two competitors fought hard and split the first two sets, 6-2 (Benda) and 6-3 (Large). But in the third set, Large fell 10-4 amidst fighting cramps with temperatures in the mid-80s. Large’s dream of making it to state did not materialize, but his effort left a lasting impression on many.

“Tanner played so well today,” said STC head tennis coach Ander Rutledge, after the day’s competition. “I am very proud of him. He has been a leader all season long and his development as a player has been so special.”

Large’s effort also drew praise from other teams in Fairfield. One opposing coach called him “the MVP of today’s meet.”

Later, as she took to the podium at the STC spring sports banquet, Rutledge praised Large’s district performance as a reflection of her team’s hard work this season.

“As an unseeded player, Tanner was not expected to advance as far as he did,” she said. “The spirit of our players’ hard work and dedication this season was perfectly embodied in Tanner’s performance.”