Dominic Patrick became the first athlete in the Gilbert Public School district's newest high school, Campo Verde, to be crowned a state champion. The school is hopeful as it grows and gains a senior class next year for the first time that it will be the first of many to come.

Patrick, who plays on the USTA circuit, did not play the high school season at Campo Verde last year. This year he was persuaded to do so and the result is as good as it gets.

"He was convinced to come out and play this year," Campo Verde athletic director Eric Vasquez said.. "I watched him win in it (Monday). He was awesome."

Patrick, a junior, beat two reigning state champions from last year to become Campo Verde's first individual state champ in any sport. He defeated Saguaro's Cameron Tehrani, the 4A-I champ in 2010, 6-0, 6-1. In the finals his task was a little tougher, knocking off two-time 4A-II titleist Carlos Bermudez of Palo Verde. Patrick accomplished it, in a much tougher match, 7-5, 6-3.

In a junior tournament last month in Albuquerque, N.M., Patrick defeated Millennium's Yates Johnson, a state doubles champ for the third year in a row this season, topped Horizon's Nicolas Montoya, this year's Division I runner-up in boys singles in the quarterfinals and eventually lost to this year's Division I boys singles champ Alex Lawson of Corona del Sol in the finals.

Patrick attended Mesquite High his freshman year and played for the Wildcats. He advanced to the quarterfinals of 5A-I singles that year  where he was eliminated. When Campo Verde opened his sophomore year he opted to go to the new school.