Submitted photo: Micah Flaherty of Fort Dodge holds his district championship bracket on Wednesday in Mason City.

MASON CITY — Fort Dodge’s Micah Flaherty stayed perfect for his career in earning state tournament bids, as the junior secured his third individual spot in as many seasons here on Wednesday.

Flaherty, the top seed in a Class 2A district meet at Mason City, cruised to the district title, giving up only one point on the day.

“It means everything to get back to state again,” Flaherty said. “It’s another opportunity to show my improvement.”

Flaherty, who is ranked seventh in his class, earned a bye in the first round, then faced Trenton Kruger of Mason City in the quarterfinals. Flaherty cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 victory.

In the semifinals, Flaherty was up against Luke Berger of Cedar Falls. The Dodger logged another clean sweep at 6-0, 6-0.

Flaherty clinched his third straight state bid with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Cedar Falls’ Ben Smalley. He stays unbeaten in 14 matches this season, with 25 consecutive set wins as well.

“Micah really played well and has had a solid year,” Messerly said. “He has upped his game so much.”

Flaherty was a district runner-up last season, then placed seventh at state. He was eighth his freshman year.

“Last year I went to state as a district runner up,” Flaherty said. “So entering this year as a champion adds confidence and momentum.”

FDSH foreign exchange student Akramjon Abdurakhlmov entered as the third seed and finished with a bronze medal after reaching the semifinals in singles competition.

Abdurakhlmov had a bye in the first round, then rolled in his first quarterfinal match 6-2, 6-4 over Rylan Kunn of Mason City.

Abdurakhlmov then lost to Smalley by a 6-3, 6-4 count in the semifinals. He beat Luke Berger of Cedar Falls to finish third for the Dodgers.

Fort Dodge’s Tate Balkenende and Aidan Recker competed in doubles, losing 6-0, 6-0 to Ankeny Centennial’s Holden Smith and Andrew Law.

The Dodgers’ tandem of Jaxon Price and Jaxton Jones fell to Cedar Falls Miko Patterson and Edward Lin, 6-1, 6-1.

The state tournament will be on May 21 and May 22 at the Hawkeye Tennis & Recreation Center in Iowa City.