bartlesville’s shelley anchors state; underclassman look to future
REGIONAL CHAMPIONS: The Bartlesville High School Lady Bruins tennis team poses together after winning the regional championship, punching their ticket to the Class 6A state tournament, where Abby Shelley captured the No. 1 singles runner-up title for the second consecutive year.
Courtesy photo
By Becky Burch
May 18, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Bartlesville High School’s Abby Shelley finished as the No. 1 singles runner-up for the second consecutive year at the Class 6A girls' tennis tournament held earlier this month.
Shelley ended the year with an impressive 24-2 record, with both of her losses occurring at the state tournament.
Freshman No. 2 singles player Sophie Kelley ended her season at 14-9. Claire Auschwitz and Ava Kate Craig wrapped up their careers as the team's only varsity seniors with a 20-8 record, while Kayleigh Khan and Dani Rodriguez finished at 15-8 on the year. All other Bruin pairs were eliminated in early rounds, placing ninth through 12th.
“Great year for the Lady Bruins,” said head coach Bryan Reese. “Our JV team qualified for state and our varsity girls won regionals and played well at state.”
On the boys’ side, both doubles teams dropped their opening matches and were eliminated, finishing in the top 12.
The doubles tandem of Johnny Colmenero and Carson Covington finished the season with a 20-6 record. Elijah Burchett and Karsten Proctor stepped up to play together following an injury to Rylan Green, ending their season at 10-10 while split across both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.
“We have a strong group of underclassmen who got a taste of varsity tennis and are looking to improve for next season,” Reese said.
Colmenero will continue his tennis career locally next season after signing to play for Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
STATE BOUND: Members of the Bartlesville High School Bruins boys' tennis team pose in front of their bus before being sent off to the Class 6A state tournament earlier this month.
Courtesy photo