GRAND FORKS — Jason Ling uses an unconventional grip on his backhand.
The mechanics on his forehand might not be textbook, either.
But the Grand Forks Central senior has worked his way to the top of the lineup and is proving he’s among the best boys tennis players in the state.
Ling, who took fifth-place in state singles a year ago, played a down-to-the-wire match with Grand Forks Red River’s Julian Mallory on Tuesday at Paukert Tennis Complex.
Mallory, the top-returning singles player in the state, won the match 7-5, 7-5.
Ling and Central won the meet 6-3, handing the Roughriders their first East Region regular-season loss in four years. That loss also was to Central.
“Nobody works harder than Jason Ling,” Wynne said. “He’s kind of a throwback. He reminds me of guys from my era that played three hours a day. He puts in a lot of time.”
Ling’s game took a major jump this offseason.
It helped him to prepare to take over the No. 1 spot. Cole Wilber, the UND-bound defending state singles champion, has recently held that position.
“He’s really made himself into more of a tennis player,” Wynne said of Ling. “He did have some real oddities with his swing. He’d never come to the net except to shake hands. He had a unique backhand to say the least. He couldn’t slice the ball. He had one speed and that was to hit the ball 100 mph every shot. He’s made some big progress as far as all of those things.”
Ling and Rylan Spicer earned a 7-6 (8), 6-1 win at No. 1 doubles Thursday over Mallory and Kevin Martinez.
Rylan Spicer, left, fist-bumps Grand Forks Central High teammate Jason Ling during a doubles match against Grand Forks Red River on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Spicer won at No. 2 singles, while Isaiah Cormier won at No. 4, Henning Gibbs at No. 5 and Bonsa Lemma at No. 6. Brady Fee and Kasen Panzer won at No. 2 doubles.
Red River earned wins from Mallory at No. 1 singles, Martinez at No. 3 singles and Max McDonald-Cullen Rost at No. 3 doubles.
Central and Red River both moved to 1-1.
Red River High School’s Kevin Martinez readies his swing during a match against Grand Forks Central on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Wynne said Thursday’s meet featured a few of the state’s top players.
Ling is one of them.
“He has limited tournament experience,” Wynne said. “But he’ll be a threat to win. He could be in the mix at the state tournament. Rylan could, too. That’s always fun to have guys that are at least in that mix.
“There are probably five guys that could win state this year and those two guys are in that breath.”
Central High School tennis coach Tom Wynne, right, talks strategy with No. 1 doubles team Ryan Spicer, middle, and Jason Ling during a match on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
GF Central 6, GF Red River 3
Singles
1. Julian Mallory, RR, over Jason Ling 7-5, 7-5; 2. Rylan Spicer, GFC, over Max Mecham 6-3, 6-3; 3. Kevin Martinez, RR, over Brady Fee 6-2, 7-6 (2); 4. Isaiah Cormier, GFC, over Cullen Rost 6-4, 3-6, 6-1; 5. Henning Gibbs, GFC, over Max McDonald 6-3, 6-4; 6. Bonsa Lemma, GFC, over Kyler Bydal 6-3, 6-1
Doubles
1. Ling-Spicer, GFC, over Mallory-Martinez 7-6 (8), 6-1; 2. Fee-Kasen Panzer, GFC, over Mecham-Gabe Schauer 3-6, 6-1, 10-7; 3. McDonald-Rost, RR, over Charlie Miedema-Cormier 7-5, 2-6, 10-5
Grand Forks Central’s Brady Fee hits a backhand during a match against Red River on Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Red River High School’s Gabe Schauer returns a serve during doubles play against Grand Forks Central on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Kasen Panzer hits a backhand for Grand Forks Central at Paukert Tennis Complex on Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Red River assistant tennis coach Jake LaDouceur talks to the Riders’ No. 1 doubles team during a match on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025.
Korrie Wenzel / Grand Forks Herald
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.