D-East's Ravikanth wins Ches-Mont National singles title

Downingtown East junior defeats top two seeds to claim championship

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:03pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a tennis match, with overlapping planes of color and form representing the dynamic action on the court.A young tennis player's triumph over top-seeded opponents showcases the competitive spirit and talent within the Ches-Mont League.West Chester Today

Downingtown East junior Arudra Ravikanth won the Ches-Mont League National Division boys tennis championship on Friday, defeating the top two seeds to claim the title. Ravikanth is the second member of the Cougars to win the National title in four years.

Why it matters

The Ches-Mont League is a prominent high school sports conference in the Philadelphia suburbs, and the boys tennis championship is a highly competitive event. Ravikanth's victory showcases the talent and hard work of the Downingtown East tennis program.

The details

Ravikanth defeated defending champion Zach Evans of West Chester Henderson in the final after Evans had to default due to injury. In the semifinals, Ravikanth took down top-seeded Dan Gallagher of Bishop Shanahan in three sets. The victory caps a difficult road to the championship for Ravikanth.

  • Ravikanth won the title on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • Shrihan Madam, another Downingtown East player, won the Ches-Mont National title in 2023.

The players

Arudra Ravikanth

A junior at Downingtown East High School who won the Ches-Mont League National Division boys tennis championship.

Zach Evans

The defending Ches-Mont National champion from West Chester Henderson High School, who had to default the final match due to injury.

Dan Gallagher

The top-seeded player from Bishop Shanahan High School, who lost to Ravikanth in the semifinals.

Shrihan Madam

A former Downingtown East player who won the Ches-Mont National title in 2023.

Chris Waychunas

The head coach of the Downingtown East tennis team.

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What they’re saying

“It's cool. I never imagined being here. I thought I would be out already. I just play and see what happens. It's crazy.”

— Arudra Ravikanth, Downingtown East junior

“It's unfortunate he had to retire. He scares you with the heart he plays with. He fought in his semifinal match and he's a great player.”

— Arudra Ravikanth, Downingtown East junior

“He's a very good competitor. I'm sure he's very upset that he can't finish the tournament. This is something that you don't like to see anybody go through. I think it's better for him to pull out and make sure that you are healthy and move forward.”

— Peter Sok, West Chester Henderson head coach

“He's progressed a lot as a player in the last few years. He is really gifted and he dedicates himself in the offseason, so it pans out when the season comes around in a big match, he can pull through.”

— Chris Waychunas, Downingtown East head coach

“I feel like I haven't played that well in my life. Dan has been playing well and this is his last win, so I'm happy to get the win.”

— Arudra Ravikanth, Downingtown East junior

What’s next

Ravikanth will now prepare for the upcoming District 1 tournament, where he will face even tougher competition as he looks to continue his successful season.

The takeaway

Ravikanth's victory showcases the strength of the Downingtown East tennis program, which has now produced two Ches-Mont National champions in the last four years. The win highlights the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches, and sets the stage for an exciting postseason run.