ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Gustavus men's tennis tandem of Gage Gohl and Tyler Haddorff claimed the program's sixth NCAA doubles national championship on Tuesday with a 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Jordan Theron and Quinn Wicklund of Sewanee. 

Gohl and Haddorff led the day off with a hot start in the semifinals, going up 5-0 in the first 16 minutes of play against Ethan Green and Kael Shah of Denison. The Gusties went on to win the first set 6-1. Denison took control of the second set with a 4-3 lead, but the Gusties turned it back in their favor by winning the next two for a 5-4 advantage. The Gusties then clinched the match for a 6-1, 6-4 victory. 

In the national championship, Sewanee took the early momentum with a 5-1 lead in the first. The Gusties momentarily stopped the bleeding by winning the next point, but Sewanee closed out the first 6-2. 

Gustavus found its footing early in the second, winning the first game on serve and then breaking serve for a 2-0 lead. The Gusties kept the momentum going and claimed the next point for a 3-0 advantage before Sewanee got off the schneid for a 3-1 score. From there out, it was all Gustavus as Gohl and Haddorff won the last three games for a 6-1 victory to force a deciding third set. 

Both teams held serve for the first six games, before the Gusties broke serve for a 4-3 lead. Serve was held the rest of the way as the Gusties secured a third set 6-4 victory. Gohl and Haddorff are the sixth tandem in program history to claim the doubles title, and the first in 21 years, following Eric Butorac and Kevin Whipple's victory in 2003. The two capped off an already impressive sophomore season, as they were named MIAC Doubles Team of the Year, earned ITA and NCAA doubles All-America honors, claimed an ITA Regional Championship, and the ultimate culmination of the season - winning a national title.

"We are so grateful. Gage and Tyler put together a truly remarkable run this week against tremendous competition," said Head Coach Tommy Valentini. "They trusted our plan, trusted each other, and played with beautiful resilience and energy and poise all tournament long.  

"To come through the first two rounds winning 7-6 in the third helped them understand how to embrace the big moments with courage and joy. Today in the semis against Denison, they came out flying and played a great first set executing beautifully. When they found themselves down a break in the second they remained positive and calm to respond well and got through in straights which was key heading into the finals where they faced a truly explosive and fantastic team from Sewanee.

"In the first set our opponents were lights out. They served and returned almost perfectly. Gage and Tyler stayed positive there and found their game on our own serve in the second and went to another level to take that set. 

"The third set was incredible doubles. The level was so high from both teams, and our guys struck an incredible balance of being calm and poised while staying aggressive tactically and swinging freely while playing with positive energy. 

"There was only one break point in the set at 3-3 deuce, and Gage came through with a clutch return there after Tyler started the game with a clean return winner and amazing net play. The last two holds were championship caliber from both guys to take the title. 

"In the end, this was an amazing accomplishment for this pair. They played inspiring tennis and a beautiful brand of doubles. They welcomed every challenge and stuck together at the highest level in every situation, and they played amazing tennis - especially in the biggest moments. 

"They are deserving national champs, and we're grateful for that, but we're even more grateful for them as friends, teammates and people and for how they represented our program and tradition and for how they lived out our values at every turn.  They played extremely well, but they handled themselves and the moment even better - with grace,  class, courage, humility, trust, and gratitude. This is such a tough tournament to win - to do it the way they did - continuing to stay positive and never giving in while always showing the highest level of sportsmanship makes it a truly special experience - one that Gage and Tyler and our program will cherish."

Gustavus Men's Tennis NCAA Doubles Champions

1980	John Mattke and Paul Holbach
1981	Jim Hearn and Shaun Miller
1982	Shaun Miller and Rich Skanse
1991	Dave Jussila and Ryan Skanse
2003	Eric Butorac and Kevin Whipple
2024	Gage Gohl and Tyler Haddorff