The top spot in Polk County was wide open this season after the George Jenkins’ Nico Kumria, the county player of the year as a sophomore, graduated and Winter Haven’s Ben Saltman, a two-time player of the year and the 2025 state champion opted not to play. And while George Jenkins and Winter Haven battled for the top spot as a team the past two seasons, McKeel emerged as the top team this year. Three first-team selections are seniors, so George Jenkins’ Brayden Mitchell and McKeel’s Davin Twiss, the only underclassmen on first team, will be the top two returning players next year.
Player of the Year
Dylan Mitchell
George Jenkins, Senior
Mitchell went 14-2. His only loss other than at state came in the overall county final. He finished the season strong by upsetting the top seed to win the district title and advance to the state tournament.
Coach of the Year
Benjamin Arnold
McKeel
Arnold led the McKeel boys to the West County team title then district and region titles to be the only Polk County team to advance to the boys state tournament.
First Team
Brayden Mitchell
George Jenkins, Junior
13-0 at No. 2 singles.
Everett Whitehead
Winter Haven, Senior
11-4, county champion at No. 1 singles.
Davin Twiss
McKeel, Junior
12-4, district champion.
Zach Kossen
Lakeland, Senior
9-2, district runner-up.
Honorable Mention
All Saints: Alex Kruschwitz, Conlan Keadle, Jay Sichelman, Jaxson Bogle.
Auburndale: Angle Guilarte, Bayden Williams, Landon Allen, Jack Deemer, Hayden Leake.
Bartow: Nathan Nasello, Thiago Vazquez Scapusio.
Davenport: Sebastian Ramirez, Samuel Barbosa, Angel Ramos.
Frostproof: Joaquin Rodriguez, Jose Casiano, Jose Rodriguez, Giovanni Fazzini, Alex Valdez.
George Jenkins: Grayson Abbott, Laith Kazmier, Ethan Siefke.
Lake Wales: Patrick Tully, Kash Coconato, Angle Martinez, James Windham, Charles Oulette.
McKeel: Keith Kopp, Colton Smith, Kle Kopp, Kyle Adams.
Santa Fe Catholic: Enzo Crum, Emilio Crum, Toby Hurtt, Jacob Lackey.
Winter Haven: Layton Kemp, CJ Chalwe, Nathaniel Brenner.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Meet The Ledger’s 2026 All-County High School Boys Tennis Team
Reporting by Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Roy Fuoco, Lakeland Ledger | USA TODAY Network
