Coupeville senior Aaron Curtin capped off his high school athletic career by placing eighth in the state 1A tennis tournament Friday and Saturday, May 29 and 30, in Yakima.

Placing at state was a cherry on top of an award-winning few days for Curtin.

Just over a week ago he was named to the Olympic League first team in baseball, then Tuesday he was awarded Coupeville High School’s Athlete of the Year honor along with Josh Bayne and Makana Stone.

Curtin opened state with a 6-2, 6-1 loss to Chelan’s Eli Jenkins.

He bounced back to thump St. George’s Jacob Martin 6-3, 6-1.

“There were some exciting points, though,” coach Ken Stange said. “Aaron was in control the whole way, but Martin put up one heckuva fight.”

Next up was a thrilling, comeback win over Eduardo Ceballos of Cle Elum/Roslyn.

Curtin lost the first set 6-4.

After the first set, “Aaron and I discussed how he really was the better player,” Stange said.

“If he won, he’d play the next day and earn a medal. If he lost, he’d be done. When two players who have already played two matches in 90-plus temps go to do battle, and both of them are capable of remaining upright and cramp-free, it usually comes down to who wants it more.

“90 minutes after the start of the match, when Aaron had taken the second set, I knew that he wanted it more. He was gassed, but he still went for each and every ball, and he raised both his power and his accuracy.”

Curtin took the match with 6-2, 6-1 wins.

“This one was special,” Stange said. “It was Aaron’s and it was ours.”

In the battle for fifth and eighth place Saturday morning, Curtin fell to St. George’s Mark Hay 6-1, 6-3.

“It only took about 10 seconds for the disappointment to wear off, because despite the loss, Aaron capped his final season with an eighth-place finish.

“It was such an enjoyable experience, and I think it was even more so for Aaron, because he was already familiar with the process.”

Curtin played in the state doubles tournament last with then-senior Ben Etzell.