SCTA
news
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Southern California Tennis Association
FEBRUARY 2005
The Best Place To Play
Mark Winters
W
hile February is Black History
Month, it should be noted that
this section has evidenced
impressive tennis diversity for some time.
Having first played local tournaments in
the 1960’s, and having been involved with
the Southern California Tennis Association
since 1978, I have had a chance to witness how the game has broadened the
landscape.
My memories include hours spent visiting with Jimmy McDaniel, and interviewing
the likes of Pete Brown, Dee WilliamsHorne, Virginia Glass, Oscar Johnson,
Wanda Marine and Eleese Thornton. I
can recall the t alent
showcased by Camille
Benjamin, Ken Bentley,
Lloyd Bourne, Diane
Morrison, Earl Prince,
Doug Sykes, Vi Walker
and Andrea Buchanan
Pete Brown
Whitmore, along with the
brother/sister tandem,
Jerome and Cheryl Jones.
I’ve heard about the
legendary ability of Willis
Fennel, considered by
some to have been a
better tennis prospect
Eleese Thornton
than Arthur Ashe. I am
also acquainted with the brilliant foresight
shown by Sy Allen Browning, Fred Nobles,
Hollis Smith and Richard Williams, establishing the National Junior Tennis League
chapter in Southern California, as well as
the work done in local communities, over
the years, by the likes of Don Bly and
Chaka Simba.
Earthna Jacquet is another name that
The Jung family
Pancho Gonzalez
deserves mention. As do “Schoolboy”
Mitchell, Larry Smith and Ted “Stocks”
Stoglin. The late Frank Simmons, simply
because he was Frank Simmons, needs to
be included, as does
Jean Richardson,
along with Etta Lewis
and Mel Lewis (who
are not related).
As full as their
credits are, there is
more to telling the
full, captivating and
complex, multicultural story. As an example, Bob Delgado,
Pancho Gonz alez ,
Angel Lopez and
Bobby Perez should
not be overlooked.
The same holds for
Joe Huey, Janet Lee,
Kimberly Po-Messerli,
A l l e n To n g a n d
Meilen Tu.
Families, such as
the Jungs, including
Gene, Debbie, Pam,
Steven and Stuart;
Bob Delgado
the Mor anons –
Aschara, Kal and Pia;
t h e Re d o n d o s –
Marita, Tammy, Skip,
Ryan and Tammy; and
the Wat anabes –
Helen and her daughter Tina Karwasky,
are another part of
the mix.
Joe Huey
Each of these individuals, and hundreds more, have made the
game in the section like no other.
Southern California is the best place, in the
world, for everyone to play.
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Hall Of Fame
Gala Set For
July 23rd
Pancho Segura will receive a Hall of Fame welcome
from SCTA president Bill Rombeau.
T
he Southern California Tennis
Association will hold its 2005 Hall of
Fame Gala Dinner and ceremony honoring
Tracy Austin, Glenn Bassett, Beverly Baker
Fleitz, Pancho Gonzalez and Pancho
Segura on July 23rd at the Riviera
Country Club. For details, call (310)
208-3838, Ext. 240.
Home Depot
Davis Cup
I
n first round Davis Cup play, by Paribas,
the United States faces Croatia, at the
Home Depot Center in Carson, March 4–6.
The talented Bryan twins, Bob and Mike
who developed their tennis talents in the
section, are expected to represent the US
in doubles action. For more ticket information, call (888) 484-8782 or visit their
website, [email protected]
USTA Committees
SoCal Style
C
ommittee assignments for
USTA president Frank
Johnson’s first year in office have
been made and a number of
Southern Californians will be
actively involved. Johnson, himself,
is a member of the International
Committee, along with Eliot
Teltscher and William J. Kellogg.
Kellogg is the chairman of the
Jack Kramer
Frank Johnson
Davis Cup Committee, and Pam
Austin is vice chairman of the Fed
Cup Committee. Carol Schneider
received a Special Presidental
Appointment. Billie Jean King is
chairman of the USTA’s newest
committee, High Performance.
Jack Kr amer, Angel Lopez ,
Kimberly Po-Messerli and Jeff
Tarango will also offer their
William J. Kellogg
Jeff Tarango
thoughts. Lopez doubles as a
member of the Hispanic Participation Task Force, along with Nana Talevi, who
also has a place on the Community Tennis Association Development Committee.
Frederick Ho is vice chairman of the Collegiate Committee. Vic Braden is on the
Sport Science Committee. Bob Kramer is an Awards Committee member, and
Neal Machander is a part of the Youth Competition & Training Committee
effort. Jane Goodman and Linda Sharp have places on the Officials
Committee. Steve Bellamy, Bill Rennie and Bill Rombeau are on the new
Public Parks Task Force. Kathy Doss and Jim Nelson are on the Senior
International Competition Committee. Nelson is also vice chairman of the Adult
& Senior Competition Committee. Paul Settles and Dee Williams-Horne have
positions on the Adult & Senior Competition Committee. Steve Solomon is vice
chairman of the Adult & Senior Competition Circuits Committee.
N a m e s
i n
t h e
N E W S
Elizabeth Carpenter, who has committed to the University of Wisconsin,
was the Girl’s 18 Sportsmanship Award winner at the National Open in
Maumee, Ohio over Thanksgiving. Former UCLA All-American Jason
Cook has become the men’s assistant coach at the University of Miami.
Jamie Sanchez of Loyola Marymount University was an Intercollegiate
Tennis Association Campus Recreation Sectional Award winner. Jan Ryan
received the Grassroots Official Award from Southern California Tennis
Association. DhhEAF (Deaf & hard of hearing Educational Athletic
Foundation) and Riviera Foundation received year-end grants from the
USTA Tennis & Education Foundation. Arlene Barco, director of the
Amateur Athletic Foundation/National Junior Tennis League program,
received the AAF Spirit Award. Alum Steve Bellamy, founder and president of the Tennis Channel, was presented Indiana University’s Kelley
School of Business’ Distinguished Entrepreneur Award.
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Mercedes-Benz Cup
Impressive List Of Commitments
T
he Mercedes-Benz Cup, presented by
Countrywide, July 22-31, at the Los
Angeles Tennis Center – UCLA is
shaping up to be one of the strongest in
the event’s 79 year history.
Defending champion Tommy Haas of
Germany heads an outstanding group of
early player commitments. Countryman
and 2004 finalist Nicolas Kiefer is another
who is planning to be in Los Angeles in July.
So are American standouts Andy Roddick,
Mardy Fish, Taylor Dent, Robby Ginepri,
Vince Spadea, James Blake, as well as Bob
and Mike Bryan, last year’s doubles winners.
International stars who are expected
include Lleyton Hewitt of Australia,
Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, Guillermo
Canas and Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina,
and 2004 U.S. Open semifinalist Joachim
Johansson of Sweden.
The 2004 Mercedes-Benz Cup was
one of surprises. No seeded player advanced
to the semifinals. It was just the second time
(the other was in 1973) in the Open Era
(since 1968) that the final match featured two
unseeded players. Haas joined Jimmy
Andy Roddick
Connors, the ’73 champion, as just the second unseeded tournament winner. It also
marked only the tenth time, in the event’s
illustrious history, that the championship
match did not feature a pair of seeded
players.
Another honor for the 2004
Mercedes-Benz Cup was that it marked
the first men’s event in the new US Open
Series, a memorable breakthrough in the
game, linking 10 summer hard court tournaments to the US Open, creating a cohesive, six-week summer tennis season for
ATP and WTA tournaments in North
America.
As always, a highlight of tournament
week is “Gibson/Baldwin Night at the
Net,” which is scheduled for Monday, July
25. Last year’s event featured the Bryans,
Fish and Mark Philippoussis, along with
celebrities Danny Aiello, Jillian Barberie, Dr.
Phil, Paul Rodriguez, John Salley, Jon Lovitz,
Mathew St. Patrick, Kaley Cuoco, Fred
Willard, Daisy Fuentes, Wilson Phillips, Ben
Arthur and Hayley Westenra.
The Mercedes-Benz Cup, held in conjunction with UCLA, benefits the grassroots programs of the Southern California
Tennis Association (SCTA) and UCLA. For
information, call (310) 824-1010 or visit
online at www.mercedes-benzcup.com
Taylor Dent
Mike and Bob Bryan
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Winter Nationals
Mark Winters
A
rizona sites were the playgrounds
for the Winter National Tennis
Championships, showcasing the
best juniors in the game. Local players posted impressive results. Kristen McVitty collected the Girl’s 18 Consolation title, but
more importantly, she was named the
Sportsmanship Award winner. Steven Forman downed Kevin
Kaiser of Saratoga, California 7-6, 6-3 to claim the Boy’s 16
championship. Jason McNaughton was a Consolation finalist.
Lyndsay Kinstler of Downey won the FIC championship.
Bradley Klahn finished on the short end of the 6-4, 6-4 score
in the Boy’s 14 final against Chase Buchanan of New Albany,
Ohio. Brittany Augustine, a Girl’s 12 Winter Nationals finalist
last year, triumphed this time out, in Girl’s 14, scoring a 2-6, 64, 6-3 victory over Nadja Gilchrist of Rochester, New York.
(This spring, Augustine will be part of the Girl’s 14 USA High
Performance effort, participating in the Telford International
Center event in Telford, England, and Les Petits As
International in Tarbes, France.) In the Girl’s 12 final, Jordaan
Sanford faced Christina McHale of Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey, who showed she was on her game when she ran off
with a 6-0, 6-1 victory. Sanford was also a doubles finalist with
Noel Scott. Interestingly, Sanford/Scott were defeated by sectional opponents, Britney Sanders/Amber Walker.
Amber Walker and Britney Sanders
..........................................................
A Sincere Thanks
Arlene Barco
T
hanks to the generos-
ity of renowned ten-
nis photographer Cynthia
Lum, ten Amateur Athletic
Foundation/National Junior
Tennis League progr am
participants were able to attend the BassettMartin Tennis Camp in Big Bear last summer.
For the past two years, Lum has sold photos
at her booth, during the Mercedes-Benz Cup
tournament, contributing $9,000 to NJTL
which was used for tennis camp scholarships.
Cynthia Lum is a great friend of the AAF/NJTL.
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Celebrating 20 Years
Mark Winters
P
eople in tennis agree that longevity is
a good way to tell a program’s story.
In the case of the National Junior
Tennis League, talking about the fact that
2005 is the 20th year the Amateur Athletic
Foundation has supported its efforts in
Southern California, only gives a glimpse of
what has actually taken place. During this
period, more than 150,000 economically disadvantaged youngsters have received tennis
instruction.
Initially, there were eight NJTL sites
involving 500 youngsters. Reflecting the program’s impressive niche filling popularity,
there are now 140 Summer, along with 34
Year Round, locations. Amy Gibbons was
the first NJTL director, and Arlene Barco
was her assistant. Now, for the past 11 years,
Barco has been in charge.
Maintaining relationships with the various
program locations and those providing
instruction, along with organizing Special
Activity Days and the NJTL’s annual
“Between Match Activity” appearance at
the Mercedes-Benz Cup, has given Barco a
book full of memories.
“At a Special Activity Day, two youngsters, who came from different gang areas,
were having a problem,” Barco said. “I told
them to get on the court and work things
out. A year later, I saw one of these kids. He
asked if I remembered him. I said I did, and
he added that now his best friend is the guy
from the other gang that I had him play tennis with.”
A “Between Match Activity”, the time
immediately following a Mercedes-Benz Cup
contest when the winner remains on the
Straus Stadium court to hit with individuals
in the featured Southern California Tennis
Association program, led to another recollection. “Kids from Glassel Park had a
chance to hit with Andre Agassi,” she said.
“One of the participants was small, but very
good. Agassi served to him and he got the
ball back. After the point, Andre joked that
the crowd should keep their eyes on the
youngster. Raymond Sarmiento was 9 at the
time and the next year he won the Junior
Sectional Championships Boy’s 10.”
The AAF has provided more than two
The AAF and Patrick Escobar keep the candle burning.
million dollars to NJTL in 20 years. “The
program is one of only two that the AAF
has supported for twenty consecutive
years,” said Patrick Escobar, AAF vice president. “The Board has done so because the
program has a tremendous effect, reaching
thousands of youngsters each year.”
Admitting that NJTL’s “consistency” and
the commitment of Barco are impressive,
Escobar added, “what is most fulfilling is that
many of the coaches, at the parks, have been
with the program a long time. Now, some of
the youngsters they taught are teaching. This
makes the program intergenerational.”
With all the significant people in the
NJTL ranks, the following earn special praise:
Pete Brown - Los Angeles Trade Tech and
Harvard Park; Don Bly - Ed Vincent Park;
Rudy Enriquez - Roosevelt
Park; Dee Henry - Biola
University; Art Jones - Jesse
Owens Park; Steve and
Maurica Katz - Poinsettia
Park; Sherrie Nixon Silverado Park and Chaka
Simba - Jim Gilliam and
Rogers Park. They are 20year NJTL teaching veterans.
Escobar’s intergenerational concept became a
reality several years ago
5
when Jack Kramer’s KIK (Kids Teaching Kids)
was launched. “One of the kids, who had
been in NJTL at Rogers Park, became part of
KIK,” Barco said. “Being involved has given
him more self-esteem. He has become more
confident and a better student, bringing his
grade point average up to 3.8.”
As Escobar said, “the AAF-Southern
California Tennis Association partnership
benefits communities.” SCTA president Bill
Rombeau continued, “our wonderful relationship allows us to reach so many youth at risk.
The partnership is exemplary. It was made in
heaven.”
For Barco, having had an opportunity to
work with so many people committed to the
sport and having had help from the likes of
SCTA assistant to the executive director
Barbara Sportelli, has made “seeing tennis
bring so many kids together” all the more
rewarding.
Concluding, Escobar said, “the program’s growth is pretty amazing. It is very
commendable that Arlene has taken NJTL
to military bases and Indian reservations.
This makes the program a great story. It
keeps tennis alive and well in Southern
California. With people saying that tennis
as a sport has declined, this program
keeps the candle burning.”
Sam Noa is devoted to the kids in
NJTL.
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High performance
7th Prince Doubles
Grand Prix Masters
Championships
Girl’s 14 finals contestants
Top Point Winners:
Joseph DiGiulio/Jonathan Huang
BOY’S 14
Warren Hardie/
Torsten Keil-Long d.
Mark Bloom/
Gautam Vaidyanathan
4-6, 6-4, 7-6
GIRL’S 18
Nadia Abdala/Laila Abdala d.
Jourdan Jefferson/
Brandi Walters-Lucio
6-0, 6-0
Top Point Winners:
Bianca Aboubakare/
Carissa Aboubakare
Top Point Winners:
Ian Brown/Clarke Spinosa
Boy’s 14 winners
BOY’S 12
BOY’S 18
not held
Top Point Winners:
NicolasBerger/Andrew Gerst
BOY’S 16
Julian Tiangco/Blake Wardman d.
Quoc Doan/Christian Isip
6-1, 6-1
Top Point Winners:
Doan/Isip
Denis Nguyen/Clay Thompson d.
Marcos Giron/Dennis Mkrtchian
6-1, 6-4
GIRL’S 16
Roxanne Ellison/Sierra Ellison d.
Hayley Young/Miranda Young
5-7, 6-1 ret.
Top Point Winners:
Nicole Schon/Vanessa Schon
Top Point Winners:
Mika De Coster/Jacob Jung
BOY’S 10
GIRL’S 14
Justin Agbayani/David Blakeley
d. Jonathan Hammel/
Roger Hernandez
8-6
Stephanie Hammel/Alyssa Nafarrete
d. Eleanor Edles/Alexandra McIntosh
6-1, 6-4
Top Point Winners:
Cierra Gaytan-Leach/
Catherine Isip
GIRL’S 12
Kaitlyn Christian/Sarah Lee d.
Britney Sanders/Amber Walker
6-3, 6-4
Top Point Winners:
Melissa Matsuoka/Hayley Miller
GIRL’S 10
LaNeshay Cooksey/Kiah
Generette d. Sarah
Gealer/Dorothy Tang
6-3, 6-3
Top Point Winners:
Sanjana Shah/Elle Taylor
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Masterful
Satellite Masters
D ar re n Po t key
BOY’S 18
GIRL’S 18
Natthan Vachirajongkol d.
Nuntat Vachirajongkol
6-3, 6-3
Jessica Winkler d.
Roxanne Kaiden
6-2, 4-6, 10-5
BOY’S 16
GIRL’S 16
Enrique Cavero d. Alex Majd
6-4, 6-4
Joanna Pattugalan d.
Melissa Cecil
6-4, 6-0
BOY’S 14
C
ontested under summer-like sunny skies at the
Lakewood Tennis Center, the 23rd Satellite Masters
Championships was a record setter. More than 600
players qualified, which established a new standard. So did the
320 tournament entries. These numbers would have caused the
Derek Siddiqui d.
Douglas Edwards
6-2, 6-2
GIRL’S 14
BOY’S 12
GIRL’S 12
Reo Asami d. Michael Tan
6-3, 6-3
Madeline Jaeger d.
Kiah Generette
6-2, 6-1
BOY’S 10
Joshua Kameel d.
Seth Stolar
6-0, 6-1
late Joan Borodkin to smile. The former Southern California
Tennis Association staff member devoted her initial years after
retiring from the SCTA to building the Satellite tournament pro-
BOY’S 8
Winston Ngo d.
Drake Clifton
6-3, 6-2
gram. Since Borodkin passed away three years ago, the Satellite
Masters Championships has been dedicated to her memory.
6
Erika Lim d. Jocelyn Lu
6-0, 6-1
GIRL’S 10
Krista Hardebeck d.
April Scatliffe
6-4, 6-0
GIRL’S 8
Sophie Gunter d. Cecilia Fuentes
6-1, 6-2
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High performance
Important For 2005
D ar re n Po t key
International Spring
Championships
The
National Schedule
The national tournament schedule has
now been posted on www.usta.com -click on tournaments. The National
Schedule booklets will be mailed as
soon as the SCTA receives them.
Easter Bowl Change
The Easter Bowl tournament for
14's/16's will remain the same as in previous years. FOR THE 18'S ONLY--the
Easter Bowl will be an International
Tennis Federation event open to
American players only. The tournament
will be held, April 11-16, in Palm Springs,
with a 64 draw. There will be no sectional endorsement required for the
Easter Bowl (18's ONLY).
18's Spring National
Championship
It will be held, March 17-23, in Mobile,
Alabama, and have the same endorsement requirements as in previous years
(San Diego, Whittier, Fullerton....2 of
3). The Junior Tennis Council will
decide on a policy to handle players
who attend the Mobile tournament and
are unable to participate in Long Beach.
The decision will be posted on the
SCTA website which is listed on each
page of this publication.
USTA
has
moved
the
Level 5
San Diego (January 8th)
ITF
International Winter Championships to
Whittier (January 22nd)
Carson, California. The event will now
Long Beach (March 12th)
be known as the International Spring
Championships and will be taking place
April 4-10 with qualifying April 2-3. For
more entry information, contact (310)
630-4500.
Harper Ink (April 16th)
Anaheim (April 30th)
Santa Barbara (June 4th)
Los Caballeros (September)
Pro Circuits
For players, interested in competing in
Northridge-Matador
(September/October)
USTA Pro Circuit events, must obtain an
International
Number (IPIN).
Player
Identification
Visit www.usta.com
and click on USTA Pro Circuit for more
details.
National Ranking
Sectional Tournaments
Following are the levels of sectional
tournaments which count for national
ranking. Each section is allowed one
Level 3; three Level 4; and eight Level
5 events. The starting date of each
tournament is listed.
Level 3
Junior Sectionals (June 18th)
Level 4
Fullerton (February 5th)
South Bay (February 26th)
J.P. Yamasaki (October)
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SAVE THE DATE
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High performance
Pacific Cup
D ar re n Po t key
A
team of Southern California juniors took
part in the inaugural Pacific Cup, an intersectional goodwill team match between the
Southern California and Pacific Northwest (players
from Oregon and Washington) sections. The event
was played on the indoor courts of Eastmoreland
Racquet Club in Portland, Oregon. After two and a
half days filled with fast serves, big returns, sharp
volleys and solid handshakes, the visiting team took
the first place trophy on the plane ride home.
The Southern Californians who participated
were: Cale Planck and Rebecca Lin – 18's; Derick
Mitre and Molly Scott – 16's; John Sundling and
Pamela Montez – 14's; Trevor Campbell and Hailey
Hogan – 12s. The team was selected based on
sportsmanship exhibited during a junior’s career, as
well as tournament participation. Annie Kellogg, the
boy’s and girl’s tennis coach at Valencia High School,
was the Southern California captain.
Oregon was good for the SoCal team.
..........................................................
College Scholarship Tips
Thursday, April 7 - 6:30 p.m. at
Flint Canyon Tennis Club in
La Canada/Flintridge
CONTACT: Horacio Tamborini (818) 790-3355
Wednesday, April 13 - 7:00 p.m. at
Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego
CONTACT: Kerry Blum (619) 221-9000
MountainGate Country Club director of tennis Doug Doss is hosting a scholarship seminar for juniors
such as Andreas Bezamat, Harrison Kreiss, Jonathan Ainley and Mark Seraydarian.
t’s time again; time for the spring College
& University Scholarship seminars.
Presented for more than 25 years by the
Southern California Tennis Association, the
talks offer juniors, parents and coaches an
opportunity to learn everything there is to
know about earning a tennis scholarship.
Last fall, there was record attendance.
Beside Southern and Northern California,
I
people in search of “how-to” tips traveled
from states such as Arizona, Minnesota,
New York and Texas. This spring promises
to be just as good at the following sessions:
Wednesday, April 6 - 7:00 p.m. at
MountainGate Country Club in
Los Angeles
CONTACT: Doug Doss (310) 476-2291
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Thursday, April 14 - 7:00 p.m. at
Laguna Niguel Racquet Club in
Laguna Niguel
CONTACT: Front Desk (949) 496-2070
Wednesday, April 27 - 6:30 p.m. at
Westlake Swim & Tennis Club in Westlake Village
CONTACT: Pierre Mareschal (818) 889-6845
Thursday, April 28 - 6:30 p.m. at
University Club in Santa Barbara
CONTACT: Cathy Ann Simon (805) 965-9510.
For more details about the seminars,
which are free and require no reservations, contact Mark Winters at (310)
208-3838 Ext. 231.
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Team Tennis For Youth
Heritage Park: A National Hit
Chris Emery
T
eams from around
the country participated in the first USA
National 14 Advanced Team
Tennis for Youth Championships held at the Randolph
Tennis Center in Tucson,
Arizona. Heritage Park of
Irvine qualified for the tournament by finishing ahead of
Los Caballeros, Long BeachEl Dorado Park, Fullerton
Tennis Center, Tustin Hill
Racquet Club, Woodbridge
and Newport Beach Tennis
Club to win the 2004
Orange County Spring League
title. At the Southern California Sectional
Championships, the team moved on to the
nationals by being better than Ventura, San
Fernando, San Gabriel Valley, San Diego and
Los Angeles.
Some of the Heritage Park youngsters
have been playing in the program since
2000. In five of the last six years, the team
has participated in the Sectionals at UCLA.
In 2003, the group, having advanced to the
State Championships at St. Mary’s College
in Walnut Creek, was humbled by
Northern California. That fall, at the
Western States Regional Championships in
El Paso, Texas, was much more satisfying as
the team edged Hawaii in the final.
In the Team Tennis format, which has a
boy’s and girl’s singles, along with a boy’s
and girl’s doubles and a mixed, the winning
team is determined by total games won.
This form of scoring makes a match a real
team effort since everyone, even those losing sets, contributes to the result.
Southern California opened its National
Championships bid under the lights against
Amarillo, Texas. Because their opponent
seemed to be the strongest in the group,
Heritage Park was really fired up. The singles were dominated by Junya Yoshida, who
was the team’s MVP, and Amarillo’s star
Millie Nichols. Trailing 15-14 after the singles,
outstanding doubles play, particularly a
come from behind 5-6, 6-0, 10-6 (Tie-
Heritage Park was a worthy champion.
Break) victory by Nicholas Nguyen and
Brandon Poon gave SoCal a ten game lead.
The advantage was reduced to five games
after losing the first mixed doubles set 6-1.
Somehow Daron Arnol and Erika Lim
fought back to take the second set 6-4.
They finished off Amarillo in a nail-biting,
12-10 Tie-Break.
In the second round, Heritage Park,
led by a 6-0, 6-0 win by Joanna
Pattugalon, swept Ridgefield Athletic Club
from Ridgefield, Connecticut. The
Wakonda Warriors from Iowa were up
next. Yoshida was again the boy’s singles
star. Tiffany Kao won a crucial nine games
in girl’s singles which kept the match close
because the boy’s doubles dropped a 6-2,
6-3 decision. The 6-1, 6-0 victories in the
girl’s doubles and the mixed closed the
door on the Iowa team.
Going into the final group match against
the Tennis Spuds from Boise, Idaho,
Southern California was a few games ahead
of Amarillo and the Spuds. The singles was a
wash, and after two Tie-Break sets in boy’s
doubles the match was practically even. The
girl’s doubles escaped with a win, leaving it
up to the mixed. Though Daron Arnold and
Yuka Kondo started slowly (they were
down 2-3 in the first set), they closed the
match brilliantly winning 6-3, 6-3.
To prove the point that every game is
important, Southern California finished
9
ahead of Amarillo, 206-202,
to earn a spot in the semifinals.
Heritage Park met the
Washington Township team
from Indianapolis, Indiana,
their strongest opponent up
to that point. Yoshida had his
toughest match when he
slipped past Douglas Bernard
6-4, 6-4. Behind by four
games after dropping the
girl’s singles and earning a
close boy’s doubles victory,
Pattugalon and Kondo gave
the team a slight lead with
their 6-4, 6-1 girl’s doubles victory. Arnold and Kondo moved Southern
California into the final with a 6-2, 6-4
mixed win.
Phoenix, Arizona was Heritage Park’s
championship opponent. Yoshida was down
3-2 before igniting and running off 10
straight games for a 6-3, 6-0 win. It
seemed that Arizona would pull even, as
nationally ranked Amy Bettis built a 5-1
lead, but Erika Lim played the match of the
tournament forcing a Tie-Break, winning
the second set 6-3, and losing a Tie-Break,
but took the match by games, 11-10.
Phoenix captured the boy’s doubles, and
the girl’s doubles was close. That left things
to Arnold and Kondo who again came
through, taking the mixed 6-5, 6-1, and the
tournament trophy.
Team support and energy led Heritage
Park to success. The kids had a great experience spending time and exchanging gifts,
along with sharing stories, with players
from across the country. The tournament
was made even better by the fact that the
USTA had Mike and Bob Bryan attend. The
twins, who played Team Tennis as juniors,
gave a concert and spent time interacting
with the participants.
If you are interested in enjoying a
Heritage Park-like experience, contact
Alyssa DeVore at (310) 208-3838 Ext. 226
for information about USA Team Tennis
for Youth.
www.scta.usta.com
Community Tennis
First Class
Mark Winters
I
n December, the first participants graduated from "Winning
in Tennis - Leadership - Life". The novel 12 - week program,
organized by the Morongo Basin Tennis Association and
presented by Gideon Smith, Gail Stewart and Fred Simoneau
at Jacobs Park, helps youngsters improve their tennis and
match playing skills. It also provides direction for developing
self-confidence; assists in goal setting and creating a written
plan of action; and dealing better with others. The core idea
is to make friends and have fun.
Officers in the first class were: Neil Bost, Noelle Meer, Rose
Mary Ponce, Ryan Higginson, Harjot Dhillon, Michael Halicki,
Niki Green and Drew Bost. Carly Peloquin, Autumn Shultz,
Faith McAllen and Nicole Meer also took part.
Smith and Simoneau developed “Winning in Tennis –
Leadership – Life” to take youngsters beyond forehands and
backhands by giving them successful life-skills. "These kids
have passion and dedication to tennis and their dreams,”
Smith said. “We show them how to realize both. Their
response to the program, the first of its kind in America, has
been so tremendous that it’s going to be offered year-round.”
The second “Winning in Tennis – Leadership – Life” class began
in January. For information about future program offerings, call
the Morongo Basin Tennis Association at (760) 365-3851.
“Winning in Tennis – Leadership – Life” benefits youngsters.
..........................................................
Intercollegiate Tennis
Clemens Earns
Rhodes Scholarship
Mark Winters
D
aniel Clemens, a standout in the junior ranks
before attending Yale University, has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University.
where he plans to earn a PhD in Comparative Social
Policy. Though his time on the court in New Haven was
cut short by injuries, only allowing him to compete for
two years, Clemens, an Intercollegiate Tennis Association
Scholar/Athlete in 2002, remained involved, serving as the
men’s team manager. Yale’s coach Alex Dorato told The
Yale Daily News, “he is very hard working, loyal, optimistic
and wants to serve others. He achieved way beyond
what one might think he is capable of through hard work
and a belief that achieving anything is possible if you set
your mind to it.” This spring he will receive a BA and an
MA in Political Science.
10
Keeping
Updated
o assist college tennis coaches with
recruiting, juniors should keep
their personal information updated
with Southern California Tennis
Association High Performance. Players
should include their full name and
address, along with telephone number,
e-mail address and year of high school
graduation. Please forward these
specifics to:
T
Darren Potkey at
[email protected] or
Tiffany Geller at
[email protected]
www.scta.usta.com
Intercollegiate Tennis
Watching Is Exciting
Mark Winters
University of California
Santa Barbara
Marty Davis - Men
Pete Kirkwood - Women
ucsbgauchos.com
W
ith the season underway, there is a full collection of
intercollegiate matches being played throughout the section. To find an up-coming clash, select a school then log
on with www and the appropriate address found below. When you
reach the homepage, scroll to athletics, click on tennis and search the
schedule for an opportunity to watch the game at its exciting best.
(Special thanks to Casey Angle, ITA media director, for his help in
preparing the following.)
Division I
University of San Diego
Tom Hagedorn - Men
Sherri Stephens - Women
usdtoreros.com
California Poly San Luis Obispo
Trevor Kronemann - Men
Hugh Bream - Women
calpolymustangs.com
University of Southern California
Peter Smith - Men
Richard Gallien - Women
usctrojans.com
California State Fullerton
Bill Reynolds - Women
titansports.org
California State Long Beach
Jenny Hilt - Women
longbeachstate.com
Luben Pampoulov – UCLA
California State Northridge
Gary Victor - Women
gomatadors.com
Loyola Marymount University
Nik DeVore - Men
Jamie Sanchez - Women
lmulions.com
Pepperdine University
Adam Steinberg - Men
Gualberto Escudero - Women
pepperdinesports.com
Natalie Braverman – Pepperdine University
San Diego State University
Gene Carswell - Men
Peter Mattera - Women
goaztecs.com
Drew Hoskins – USC
University of California Irvine
Steve Clark - Men
Mike Edles - Women
athletics.uci.edu
University of California
Los Angeles
Billy Martin - Men
Stella Sampras - Women
uclabruins.com
Pedro Rico – Pepperdine University
University of California Riverside
York Strother - Men
Mark Henry - Women
athletics.ucr.edu
Daniela Bercek – UCLA
11
Carine Vermeulen – USC
www.scta.usta.com
Intercollegiate Tennis
Division II
California Poly Pomona
Sandy Kriezel - Men and Women
csupomona.edu
California State Bakersfield
Robert Limpias - Women
csub.edu/Sports
California State Los Angeles
Tina Karwasky - Women
calstatela.edu/univ/athletics
University of Redlands
Geoff Roche - Men
Jim Ducey - Women
redlands.edu
Chapman University
Will Marino - Men and Women
chapman.edu
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
Paul Settles - Men
Max Retzlaff - Women
athletics.mckenna.edu
University of LaVerne
Steve Bergovoy - Men
Brian Harrison - Women
ulv.edu
Occidental College
David Bojalad - Men
Cici Louie - Women
departments.oxy.edu
Jennifer Dao – Azusa Pacific
Pomona-Pitzer Colleges
Ben Belletto - Men
Ann Lebedeff - Women
physical-education.pomona.edu
Sam Fletcher – Azusa Pacific
Vanguard University
Mattias Johansson - Men and
Women
vanguard.edu
Westmont College
Chris Elwood - Men
Kathy LeSage - Women
westmont.edu
Community
College
Allan Hancock College
David Dantzer - Men
Patrick Ortiz - Women
hancockcollege.edu/athletics
Silvana Stans – California State Los Angeles
California State San Bernardino
Tom Starzyk - Women
athletics.csusb.edu
Michael Thoeresz – University of Redlands
Whittier College
Alec Horton-Men and Women
whittier.edu
University of California
San Diego
Eric Steidlmayer - Men
Elizabeth LaPlante - Women
athletics.ucsd.edu
NAIA
Division III
California Tech
Mandy Gamble - Men and
Women
athletics.caltech.edu
California Lutheran
Michael Gennette - Men
Ben Roberson - Women
clunet.edu
Erin Hiranaga – University of Redlands
12
Antelope Valley College
James Green - Women
avc.edu
Bakersfield College
Robert Slaybaugh - Men
bc.cc.ca.us/athletics
Azusa Pacific University
Mark Bohren-Men and Women
apu.edu
Cerritos College
Gerry Ellis - Men
Terri Button - Women
cerritos.edu
Biola University
Dee Henry-Women
biola.edu
Cuesta College
Mike Napoli - Women
cuesta.edu
Point Loma Nazarene University
Rich Hills-Men and Women
ptloma.edu
Cuyamaca College
Pam Farmer - Women
cuyamaca.gcccd.cc.ca.us
www.scta.usta.com
Intercollegiate Tennis
Cypress College
Chris Ketcham - Men
Marisol Duran - Women
pe.cypresscollege.edu
Glendale College
Bob MacKay - Men
Terry Coblentz - Women
glendale.cc.ca.us
College of the Desert
Carl Schroeder - Men
Jay Samonte - Women
collegeofthedesert.edu
Grossmont College
Scott Strange - Men
Megan Lowrey - Women
grossmont.edu/athletics
Fullerton College
Roger See - Men
Scott Giles - Women
fullcoll.edu
Rio Hondo College
Karen Unger - Women
riohondo.edu
Riverside Community College
Nikki Bonzoumet - Men and
Women
academic.rccd.cc.ca.us
Saddleback Community College
Tim Downey - Men
Jay Amos - Women
saddleback.cc.ca.us
Imperial Valley College
Mike Palacio - Men
Ana Garcia - Women
imperial.edu
San Bernardino Valley College
Gabriel Jacob - Women
valleycollege.edu
Irvine College
Mike Meissenburg - Men
Joan Meissenburg - Women
ivc.edu
Long Beach Community College
Kirk Wilson - Men
Jose Alvarez - Women
lbcc.edu
San Diego Mesa College
Patricia Peisner - Women
intergate.sdmesa.sdccd.cc.ca.us
Los Angeles Pierce College
Sam Pitts - Men
piercecollege.com
Marymount College
Patrick Henson - Men and
Women
marymt.edu
Santa Monica City College
Richard Goldenson - Women
smc.edu/athletics
Southwestern College
Bill Foley - Men
Susan Reasons - Women
swc.cc.ca.us
Ventura College
Nelson Emery - Men
Bob Holycross - Women
venturacollege.edu
Victor Valley College
Patric Jenkins - Men
Marites Killion - Women
vvc.edu
F e a t u r e s
Fareed And Fox
Mt. San Antonio College
John Lawrence - Men
Russ Morris - Women
sportsinfo.mtsac.edu
The second issue of IN•TENN, the exciting DVD tennis maga-
Dan Loney – Irvine College
zine that you watch instead of read, is out. It contains more
than 90 minutes of tennis action, with 65% of the footage
devoted to tennis video aimed at improving your play.
The February magazine features Jim “Mattress Mac” and
Linda McIngvale and their impactive tennis program in
Houston; two young players...Jabari 9 and Emira 7, who are in
a word SUPER. IN•TENN also features Dr. George Fareed,
former Davis Cup physician, and Allen Fox, noted sports psychologist, along with Lessons, Drills, Tips and Conditioning.
In addition, just for fun, questions like - Does Anna K have
a tattoo? - are answered. Viewers also have an opportunity to
“feel” what it’s like to be on the receiving end of an Andy
Roddick serve. (You won't believe it until you see it.)
For more information about IN•TENN, the revolutionary
tennis magazine, go to www.intenn.com
Mt. San Jacinto College
Bill Verner - Men and Women
msjc.edu
Orange Coast College
Glen Morton - Men
Janice Maran - Women
occsports.com
Palomar College
Ronnie Mancao - Men and
Women
palomar.edu
Chizuru Seki – Irvine College
San Diego City College
David Seline - Men
Simone Vazquez - Women
sdcity.edu
Santa Barbara City College
Lance Kronberg - Men
Suzanne Maloney - Women
sbcc.cc.ca.us
Pasadena City College
Myron Tarkanian - Women
pasadena.edu
13
www.scta.usta.com
League Tennis
New To The Team
Mark Winters
J
im Berry and Donna Ringer have
become the Local League Coordinators in Coachella Valley. Berry, a retired
businessman, has been a USA League captain and participated in three National USA
League Championships. “I moved down here
after playing for 40 years in Northern
California,” Berry said. “My family plays too,
and I have worked as an umpire. Friends ask
me why I’m getting involved with League
Tennis and though it may sound cliché, I tell
them it’s a chance to give something back to
something that’s given me so much.”
Donna Ringer, a retired educator who
has computer and electronic communication skills, feels the same. Having played on
and captained USA League teams, in the
Southwest Section, along with Northern
and Southern California, she is a veteran
competitor.
As the Men’s Coordinator, Berry’s experience and high energy personality is
expected to have a major impact on the
program. The same can be said of Ringer,
Women’s Coordinator, who wants to make
League play in the area very special.
“I’m the promoter,” he said. “Donna is
really the nuts and bolts of the operation. She
does the grunt work, entering all the data. I
tip my hat to her. It’s a great partnership.”
Berry pointed out, “the people you meet
playing League Tennis are fabulous. More
importantly, we are active players so we
understand player needs.”
He added, “the Coachella Valley is no
longer just a snow bird destination. With
the population increase that has taken place,
there is an opportunity to play tennis a lot
more than just three months a year. League
Tennis can take advantage of the situation.”
Ringer continued, “one of the League
Tennis goals in the Valley is to provide a
place for everyone to play. We would like to
promote tennis to not only those who have
retired, but also to those between the ages
of 19 and 50 who work. These people are
the building blocks for the future Senior
League programs. We need to find people in
this group and communicate with them.”
Looking ahead, Ringer said, “next fall the
Combo League will be introduced in the
Valley. We think it’s going to be very popular.”
For information about USA League
Tennis, Coachella Valley style, contact
Jim Berry at (760) 341-8317 or
[email protected] Donna Ringer can
be reached by calling (760) 772-9884
or [email protected]
..........................................................
Mixed Triumphs
Mark Winters
T
hough they didn’t bring home new automobiles,
teams from Southern California were new car
happy after winning three of the five USA
League Tennis, presented by Lincoln, Western Regional
Mixed Doubles Championships at the Northwest
Athletic Club in Bloomington, Minnesotta. Victories
were posted by the 10.0, 9.0 and 6.0 squads.In the double
round robin format, Southern California was 4-0 perfect
in the 10.0 division. The “team” aspect of the competition
was featured as the champions won each match 2-1.The
winning 2-1 theme played out in the 9.0 draw.
Intermountain fell by that score in the semifinal. Texas
was the 2-1 victim in the final. After going 3-0, in roundrobin group play, the 6.0 team defeated Northern, by the
now expected result of 2-1, in the semifinal. In the final,
against Pacific Northwest, who was also 3-0 in its bracket, Southern California scored another 2-1 success.
The 9.0 team triumphed.
14
www.scta.usta.com
San Diego District
Something For Everyone
L e s l e y Wa i t e
T
◗
he San Diego District Tennis
Association Annual Meeting and
Awards Banquet was held on
January 21 at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis
Club. Those honored included: Jason Giavara
- Male Player of the Year; Jennifer Dawson Female Player of the Year; Tammy Redondo
- Female Pro of the Year; Eric Steidlmayer Male Coach of the Year; Jim Watters - Men's
Sportsmanship; Annette Howell - Women's
Sportsmanship; the Dadians - Family of the
Year; Jim Lackritz - Community Service;
Cystic Fibrosis - Tournament of the Year;
University City Racquet Club - Club of the
Year; Kashi GOLEAN - Sponsor of the Year.
Following wine, hors d'oeuvres and a
delicious dinner, District president Anne
Looking for playing
opportunities?
League Tennis
is the answer.
◗
Podney introduced Vic Braden, the featured
speaker who is synonymous with groundbreaking tennis ideas. He also knows how to
get a crowd laughing. His decades of
research, along with his teaching and sharing,
have benefited thousands. Everyone left the
meeting smiling and thinking about tips
Braden offered.
USA League Tennis is celebrating its 21st
year in the San Diego District. Fall Doubles
League had a 16% participation increase.
Local winners who advanced to the
Southern California Tennis Association
Sectional Championships were: Coronado
Tennis Center - Men’s 7.5 (Marc Radi – captain); Balboa Tennis Club - Men’s 9.5 (Lee
Knight – captain). Joining them were the
North County winners: Carmel Valley Rec
Center – Men’s 7.5 (Ricky Mendoza – cap-
tain); Kit Carson Park –
Men’s 8.5 (Roy Long – captain) and Men’s 9.5 (Randy
Mita, captain); Morgan Run
Resort – Women’s 7.5
(Autumn Snow – captain).
and Women’s 8.5 (Jane Siann – captain).
The ever-popular USA Mixed Doubles
League that began locally, (though play, at
times, was a bit soggy) in January was up
13% over last year. This augurs well for the
rest of 2005 USA League activity.
March 20 is the deadline for USA Adult
Spring League sign up. If necessary, play may
begin as early as mid-April. The Captains’
Meeting is at the San Dieguito Tennis Club in
Encinitas on Tuesday, February 8th at 12:30
PM. Men’s and women’s teams compete at
the 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 NTRP skill
levels. The men play Sunday mornings and
the women play weekday mornings. The format is two singles and three doubles, except
in the 2.5 and 5.0 divisions, where one singles and two doubles are played. Participants
must be USTA members. Those without a
current computer NTRP rating may selfrate online when registering.
Players born in 1955 or earlier, USA
Senior League is just the thing. Competition
begins right after July 4th. The team format
is three doubles matches at the 3.0, 3.5, 4.0
or 4.5 NTRP levels. New this year is the
USA Super Senior League for those born in
1945 or earlier. It too will be played this
summer. Most importantly, scheduling for the
two Leagues will not conflict. Anyone who
qualifies will be able to play in both programs. Roster deadline for each is June 5th.
Local winners advance to the Sectional
Championships where a chance to play in
the USA National Championships can be
earned. For information on the USA League
Tennis program, call (858) 755-8110.
Gail Benzler, Director of Community
Tennis for the San Diego District, will hold a
“Family Tennis Day” at the Escondido
Athletic Club (130 Lincoln Avenue) on
Sunday, February 13th from 10 am to 1 pm.
Coach Danny Mendoza invites everyone to
the “free fun” tennis experience. “We haven’t
had an event in Escondido before and there
15
are tons of people eager to find out what’s
going on in tennis,” Benzler said. “This is a
great opportunity to learn about programs
in the area.”
USA Tennis San Diego presents a USTA
Recreational Coaches Workshop, Saturday,
March 19 at Balboa Tennis Club in San Diego
from 10 AM – 5 PM. Admission is $25, which
includes lunch and materials. The focus is on
the “Play Based” approach to coaching,
including effectively working with large
groups, school tennis teams, beginning players and more. Taught by a national USTA
trainer, it’s a hands-on program perfect for
pros, high school coaches, team tennis captains, or anyone interested in learning about
coaching. “The San Diego District even has
ways to put you to work at the grassroots
level,” Benzler added.
Workshop attendees can join the USPTA
(United States Professional Tennis
Association) at the Developmental Level
with “access to on-court liability insurance
and other USPTA benefits”, according to Kirk
Anderson, USTA national director of the
Development Coaches Workshop program.
UCLA
Southern California
Tennis Association
Los Angeles Tennis Center - UCLA
420 Charles E. Young Drive West
Los Angeles, CA 90024-9115
(310) 208-3838
S TA F F
Mark Winters - Executive Editor
Henry Talbert - Executive Director
Darren Potkey - Manager of High
Performance Tennis
Annette Buck - Director of Adult
& Senior Tennis
CONTRIBUTORS
Arlene Barco, Melanie Bischoff, Alyssa
DeVore, Chris Emery and Lesley Waite
www.scta.usta.com
Results
102nd Southern California Junior Sectional Doubles Championships
BOY’S 18
BOY’S 10
18 MIXED
Nicolas Berger/Andy Gerst d. Jonathan
Calienes/Alex Krueger-Wyman
7-6, 4-6, 6-3
Joseph DiGiulio/Jonathan Huang d.
Jonathan Hammel/Roger Hernandez
6-2, 6-1
Mykala Hedberg/Sam Querrey d.
Esther Cadua/Julian Tiangco
6-0, 6-3
GIRL’S 18
16 MIXED
Victoria Brymer/Amanda Fink vs. Jane
Huh-Claire Rietsch,
To be played
To be played
BOY’S 16
Andrew Mateljan/Michael McClune d.
Daniel Freeman/Gregory Hirshman
6-2, 6-2
BOY’S 14
GIRL’S 16
Tyler Bowman/Jenson Turner d.
Bradley Klahn/Daniel Moss
6-3, 6-3
McCall Jones/Alison Ramos vs. Jillian
Braverman/Nelly Radeva, To be played
GIRL’S 14
Stephanie Hammel/Alyssa Nafarrete vs.
Jordan Dockendorf/Thien-Trang Nguyen,
To be played
14 MIXED
Stephanie Hammel/Florante Sarmiento vs.
Tyler Bowman-Rachel Manasse,
To be played
12 MIXED
Sarah Lee/Denis Nguyen d.
Mika De Coster/Britney Sanders
6-4, 6-4
GIRL’S 12
Jordaan Sanford/Noel Scott d.
Kaitlyn Christian-Sarah Lee
5-7, 6-3, 7-6
BOY’S 12
Mika De Coster/Jacob Jung d.
Campbell Johnson/Clarke Spinosa
5-7, 6-1, 6-2
GIRL’S 10
10 MIXED
Kathy Henry/Valerie Thong d. Sarah
Gealer/Dorothy Tang
6-0, 2-6, 6-4
Sarah Gealer/Roger Hernandez d.
Kathy Henry/Alex Scheinman
7-5, 3-6, 6-3
....................................................
UCLA
Southern California Tennis Association
Los Angeles Tennis Center - UCLA
420 Charles E. Young Drive West
Los Angeles, CA 9 0 024 - 9115
Non-Profit Org
US Postage
PA I D
UCL A
16