PHOTO PROVIDED Central Mountain's David Lindsay won the PIAA Class AAA championship in boys tennis, becoming the Wildcats' first-ever state champion in boys tennis.

Since 1960, there have been just two players from District 6 to ever win the state singles title. After Saturday, that number is now three.

Central Mountain’s David Lindsay made history for the Wildcats on Saturday at the Hershey Racquet Club becoming Central Mountain’s first state medalist in boys tennis after he defeated South Fayette’s Jacob Patterson in a three-set thriller, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

“I am very happy that all of David’s countless hours of hard work paid off for him and his family,” Central Mountain coach Pete Wert said. “He is a wonderful player and an even better person.”

The list of District 6 players to win a state championship, which dates back to 1960, is a short one. State College’s Todd Lundy of District 6 won three straight state singles titles from 1973-75. State College’s Tom Wright won the 1969 singles title.

Lindsay is just the second area player in boys tennis competition to ever medal at the PIAA tournament, and first area boys player to win state gold. South Williamsport’s Maria Cioffi was a fourth-place finisher in 2012 when she competed in the boys tournament.

Lindsay had to rally back after dropping his first set, 6-4. Lindsay then won the second set, 6-4, to force the decisive third and final set, and edged Patterson, 6-3.

“The final was difficult mentally and physically as he was behind and Jacob was playing incredibly well,” Wert said. “David stayed confident and fought hard to come back.”

Lindsay won his opening round matchup at the PIAA Class AAA boys tennis tournament in Hershey with a 6-3, 6-1 win against Dallastown’s Jonathan Arbittier. In the second round, Lindsay beat Lower Merion’s Brian Yi, 6-1, 6-2.

“His forehand was on point and he was able to pass Patterson several times throughout the match,” Wert said. “It was a very redeeming victory after losing last year to the champ in three sets.”

This year’s gold medal is the first state medal for Lindsay, a sophomore. As a freshman last year, Lindsay fell in the Class AAA quarterfinals in Hershey to eventual champion Vikas Miller of Lower Merion, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.