WEST DES MOINES — Aaron Chalstrom added another honor to his resume recently, as the St. Edmond graduate led the West Des Moines Dowling girls tennis team to a state championship.

The Maroons knocked off rival West Des Moines Valley in the Class 2A final, 5-1, for their third consecutive team title. The Tigers are coached by another former Gael, Mike Conlon.

For Chalstrom, it marked the third team tennis state champions he has enjoyed, winning one in 2013 with St. Edmond while also claiming gold last year in his first season at Dowling.

“We have a really great group of girls who genuinely enjoy being around each other,” Chalstrom said. “When you have that, special things can happen.”

The Maroons finished the year a perfect 17-0, as the junior duo of Grace Frye and Juju Mauro won the state doubles title earlier this postseason. Presila Edward and Victoria Bakros finished eighth in the state draw.

“They have bought into the idea of tennis being a team sport and they play for each other,” Chalstrom said. “Obviously, winning is fun, but I also know they probably won’t remember a lot about any individual match. But they will remember their experience this season and how much fun they had with their teammates.

“I am proud of how much they care about each other and how they have handled everything thrown their way. I love this group and am very fortunate to work with them each day.”

Dowling made its way to the state finals with wins over Waukee Northwest and Iowa City West. They earned a 7-4 win over Valley in the season opener.

Chalstrom, a 1A state individual champion for the Gaels in his senior season after placing second three years in a row, has developed a close bond with Conlon, who won a title for SEHS in 1979.

“Mike has been great since I started at Dowling,” Chalstrom said. “He is someone who I can bounce ideas off of and the person I go to when I have questions or need advice. He has built a strong program at Valley that continues to improve.

“It has been fun reconnecting with Mike in Des Moines.”