Indianapolis Tennis Magazine - Summer 2012 by Cooper Media Group LLC

IRC member playing a key role in Mardy Fish’s resurgence

Indianapolis Tennis Magazine Summer 2012

IHSAA girls’ state tournament • Evansville Memorial tops Irish for sixth girls’ state team championship • Penn’s Brinker beats Moore, Padgett enroute to singles title News & Notes

Indy Parks dedicates new tennis courts

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Time for pro tennis’ return to Indy?

(pro)file

Woodstock Club’s Tom Moore

On Court

Use these tips to conquer the outdoors

contentsSummer 2012 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1

On the Cover: Ruben Gonzales, who was a member of the state championship-winning team at North Central High School in 2000, came into the 2012 Pearson Ford Open as the top overall seed. He left with the singles title, a runner-up spot in doubles, and $4,500 in prize money. (Photo by Scott Cooper)

13 Match for Maddy

Franklin Central High School girls’ team, community come together to support a player in need.

15 Giving Mardy Fish a boost to the top

As Mardy Fish’s physiotherapist, Indianapolis Racquet Club member Christian LoCascio helped the American’s rise into the ATP Tour’s top 10.

Memorial avenges last year’s finals loss

Evansville team takes out defending champ Carmel and then Cathedral to win the IHSAA girls’ state team championship.

of towners’ take home 20 ‘Out individual titles

It was a rough weekend for the local favorites in the IHSAA girls’ singles and doubles tournament finals, as the singles crown went to Penn’s Alexandra Brinker and Highland claimed the doubles title.

wins Pearson Ford Open 22 Gonzales singles championship

Ideal weather spawned a tremendous five-day run of tennis at the annual Pearson Ford Open at Woodstock Club, won by Ruben Gonzales.

Annual event honoring Connie Held marks the passing of Stan Malless while honoring the achievements of local junior players and volunteers.

Plus… 4 Ad In – The time is right for the Pearson Ford

Open to join the Challenger series

5 News & Notes – Indy Parks dedicates its

$1.5 million public courts renovation project

6 (pro)file – Tom Moore, head pro at

Woodstock Club

8 On Court – These tried and true

recommendations will help your outdoor game

10 Focus on Fitness – A good tennis strength and

performance program can improve your play

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

Dinner’ recognizes local tennis 24 ‘Spirit players, contributors

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PUBLISHER’S COMMENTARY Publisher’s commentary Ready for the next level

rom tournament staff, title sponsor and the players themselves, the 2012 edition of the Pearson Ford Open was declared an unmitigated success. Held for years at the Indianapolis Tennis Center, the tournament was moved to Woodstock Club last year following the ITC’s closure. Ironically, the club was the longtime home for what eventually became the Indianapolis Tennis Championships. With a doubling of the prize money (the singles champ pocketed $4,000 and the doubles champions each took home $1,000), this year’s tournament drew an impressive mix of pro players and current college standouts. Those who took advantage of the free admission to watch the matches were treated to some exceptional tennis, capped by a doubles final decided by a super tiebreak. And, with a few exceptions, player decorum ruled the clay courts. As perfect weather conditions prevailed during the five-day run, conversations around the tournament site often turned to whether the Pearson Ford Open might seek an even loftier status, perhaps a date on the calendar of either the ATP Series Futures or Challenger circuit. Both title sponsor John Pearson and tournament director (and Woodstock head pro) Tom Moore seemed to think such a scenario was definitely within reach. I would tend to agree wholeheartedly. Woodstock Club not only provided a picturesque setting, but the venue would set up very well to host a higher-level event. And with fundraising still ongoing for a new downtown tennis center, this might afford the perfect opportunity to re-gain a presence on the pro tournament schedule.

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

The ace in the hole would be the unparalleled experience and knowledge former Tennis Championships’ staff and volunteers would bring to such an event. One stumbling block could be the need to further step up the financial commitment. Though this year’s tournament doubled its total prize fund to $20,000, even another $5,000 bump would still put it at the lowest end of the Challenger Tour, where most North American stops offer between $50,000 and $100,000 for a 32-player draw.

Yet another key to success will be the tournament organizing group’s flexibility in its calendar, making sure it can be scheduled in proximity to other North American events that would allow it to draw on a larger – and higher caliber – pool of players. Or make it later in the summer season when many players are beginning to look at end-of-year ranking points. Even with the eventual construction of a new tennis facility near downtown, it’s highly unlikely that Indianapolis will ever see another ATP Tour-level event above a Challenger. The calendar is being shuffled yet again in 2014 when the Memphis 500-level event moves to Rio de Janiero, and the longtime 250-level tournament in San Jose moves to Memphis. And the Atlanta Tennis Championships’ desire to be a traveling event will see it played this year in its third venue in as many years. It is said you have to strike while the iron is hot, and there’s no doubt a Challenger at Woodstock Club would be (pardon my French) a kick-ass event!

Indianapolis Tennis Magazine PUBLISHER Scott D. Cooper Member, U.S. Tennis Writers Association ADVERTISING SALES Ilia Macdonald EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Linda Cook Tom Jennings PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Hamilton County Community Tennis Association Tom Jennings Christian LoCascio Rita Payne

GRAPHIC DESIGN Nardi Art, LLC – Regina Nardi Bal-Bow Grafix – Terri Balon-Bowden For advertising information, call (317) 374-4995, (317) 918-0726 or email adsales@indytennismag.com

Indianapolis Tennis Magazine is published three times a year by Cooper Media Group, LLC Bargersville, Indiana Contact us at Indianapolis Tennis Magazine P.O. Box 21 Bargersville, IN 46106 (317) 918-0726; (317) 422-4559 fax; or e-mail to scott@indytennismag.com Material may not be used or reprinted without prior permission from Cooper Media Group, LLC. Copyright® 2012, Cooper Media Group, LLC www.indytennismag.com

Indianapolis Tennis Magazine and the Indianapolis Tennis Magazine logo are registered trademarks of Cooper Media Group, LLC. Indianapolis Tennis Magazine is the winner of Media Awards from the USTA/Midwest Section (2007) and Hamilton County Community Tennis Association (2008).

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news & notes TENNIS HAPPENINGS FROM AROUND THE AREA

Indy Parks dedicates new courts

epresentatives from Indy Parks, Lilly Endowment, Indy NJTL, and Indy Parks Foundation joined students from the Cristel House Academy Thursday to officially mark the dedication of the 60 tennis courts within the parks system that were renovated or upgraded over the last year. Courts at the following parks were resurfaced and received new nets and fencing: Broadway & 61st; Broad Ripple; Brookside; Douglass; Ellenberger; Garfield; Greene; Krannert; Riverside; Sahm; and Tarkington. In addition, due to diligent oversight of the budget during the process, enough funds remained to allow the courts at Christian Park to be renovated later this summer. “We are so thankful for the generosity of the Lilly Endowment and their commitment to improving the quality of life for Indianapolis neighborhoods,” said John Williams, Indy Parks Director. “Providing funding to renovate such a large number of tennis courts in parks across the county allows Indy Parks to continue creating fun, safe, engaging and sustainable parks for the community.” (Photo by Scott Cooper)

New video series targets tennis health questions

ethodist Sports Medicine/The Orthopedic Specialists (MSM/TOS) recently released three online videos with Dr. Pete Sallay, a physician specializing in sports medicine, shoulder and knee reconstruction, to address commonly asked questions from tennis players and parents. Over the years, Dr. Sallay has treated many recreational athletes and tennis pros alike at MSM/TOS. He served as the orthopedic consultant for the Indianapolis Tennis Championships for 13 years. In the videos found on the MSM/TOS YouTube channel, Dr. Sallay explains that professional players sustain injuries that are primarily related to the extreme exertion they sustain over a season that now stretches over the entire year. On the other hand, recreational players sustain injuries that are primarily related to poor stroke mechanics, improper equipment, and suboptimal conditioning. (Continued on page 12)

Suscha moves to JCC

ason Suscha has resigned as men’s and women’s tennis coach at Butler University to become the director of racquet sports at JCC-Indy.

“I like being in an environment that allows me to develop a relationship with my players on the court, regardless of their level of play,” he said. Suscha said he hopes to make sure the courts are better utilized between adult leagues, youth development, court rentals and private and group lessons. A new program will be aimed at introducing preschool children to tennis and work with them on eye-hand coordination. Todd Landwehr, JCC Director of Sports and Fitness, says, “We are proud to welcome Jason to our staff. He’s a great coach, but more importantly, he is a positive role model for our members and guests.” While he intends to maintain the high level tennis training structure for which he is known, Suscha is quick to point out that the program he develops will provide opportunities for all levels. (Continued on page 14)

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• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

De-stress & smooth your skin

A CLOSER LOOK AT METRO INDY TEACHING PROS AND COACHES

Better late than never – ‘weird’ route finally landed Woodstock Club pro in his ultimate profession By Scott Cooper

fter hosting the Pearson Ford Open for a second consecutive year, Woodstock Club head pro Tom Moore had little time to exhale, relax, and reflect on the unqualified success of the five-day tournament. After all, there were courts to sweep and preparations to be made for the club’s junior program, which would begin in earnest the following day. “The tournament started early this year, and normally we would have begun our junior program that week,” he explained. “So, we went right through the tournament (the final match of which ended around 4:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon) and we had cardio classes at 8 o’clock the next morning.

MOORE

Tom

“I did finally get a day off after three weeks, and that was good; I finally had a chance to relax and decompress and think about the tournament,” Moore added. Moore admittedly traveled what he refers to as a “weird” path to becoming a tennis pro. In fact, he was hoping to make a career out of playing pro basketball in Europe.

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

“I didn’t start playing tennis until I was 18 or 19 years old,” he said. “I played some college basketball, and although I also played baseball, basketball was my favorite sport. My fiancé’s father was a really good tennis player and had a clay court at his house. One day he couldn’t find anyone to play, and I was visiting, so he asked if I wanted to go out and hit a few balls.

“I was pretty athletic and was pretty sure I could at least hit a forehand, so I went out and found that I could,” he added. “So I started hitting with him one or two times a week. After I graduated from college I moved to Cape Cod, but I was trying to play basketball overseas in France and Ireland. I spent a couple of years trying to do that, but it didn’t quite work out.” In the meantime, Moore was still playing tennis several times a week. At his fiancé Jody’s urging, Moore began looking more seriously at not only playing more tennis, but also trying to teach the game. He got to the point where he was playing nearly every day and joined the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) to take advantage of its standardized method of teaching. He set a goal of becoming certified within a year. “That was probably one of the only times I’ve set a goal, and I met it right to the day,” he said. He began playing, and having success, in various regional tournaments, which led to a job offer from the South Cape Resort, a timeshare facility that also had three outdoor and two indoor courts. He supplemented that clientele with about 30 others who had responded to his advertisement for tennis lessons in the local PennySaver classified newspaper.

“That established a base for me,” Moore said. Realizing that he also needed experience working for someone else, he spent the following summer working at King’s Grant Racquet Club as an assistant pro. Those eventually led to more opportunities around New England, but his interest was piqued by an ad in an industry publication for a pro at Woodstock Club. After doing some additional research on the club and, several interviews later, he was offered the position in the summer of 2002.

(pro)

There was little time to rest for tournament director Tom Moore during last month’s Pearson Ford Open. He pitched in with his staff to sweep and rake the clay courts between each match. Photos by Scott Cooper

Futures tournaments, organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) with total prize money ranging from $10,000-$15,000, are used by up-and-coming players to gain ranking points to advance to the Challenger Tour. In contrast, the ATP administers the Challenger Tour, whose prize fund of no less than $35,000 draws players looking to gain the necessary ranking points to be eligible for the main or qualifying draws on the ATP World Tour.

“I would look at the techniques of many other pros and read countless books, and I would take something away from each one,” he said. “And the thing that taught me is that you can always improve, and that work ethic has stayed with me for a long time.”

“If we could do a $35,000 Challenger, we would opt for that right away,” Moore explained, noting that additional money would still be needed for amenities such as portable stands.

file

“I’ve never had a tennis lesson, not one,” Moore revealed. “But the thing I always paid attention to was technique because I had to. I remember talking once with Vic Braden when I taught with him for a month, and he said there were times he’d look at me and sense that I was thinking about technique. That has been a big deal for me, because technique has probably gotten me further than I should have in a quicker period of time.

When the Pearson Ford Open was forced to leave downtown, the event landed at the immaculatelygroomed clay courts of Woodstock Club. Based on the tournament’s success, along with the glowing reviews from players, spectators and sponsors, Moore sees even bigger things for its future.

“One of our committees will be looking at getting the tournament on the ATP Tour, whether it’s a Future or Challenger,” he added. “I’m pretty sure it’d be a Future; the Challenger money is a lot, and I’m not sure we could do that in a year although the Challenger format suits us better.”

Discussions within the club about converting the two lower clay courts to grass has likely been shelved due to the potential for hosting the larger tournament, but Moore has been in contact with the USTA/Midwest Section about the possibility of the club becoming a clay court training center for the USTA. He’s also looking forward to a time when the tennis program itself could be year-round. “One of the things on our list of capital expenditures, a mid-range goal I’d say, is a bubble over the courts,” he explained. “Whether that would be over two courts or four, I don’t know, but we would have the only indoor clay courts around.”

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

But, with only outdoor courts the position was seasonal, meaning that Moore would travel back to the indoor clubs of the East Coast for seven months following the summer season. Years later Woodstock made him an offer for year-round employment, which included upgrading and running its paddle tennis courts and programs. He also taught indoors at West Indy Racquet Club for three seasons.

on court TIPS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR GAME

Keeping the elements at bay during the summer season

By Scott Cooper

By incorporating these tips and playing strategies from local teaching pros, you’ll hopefully be able to make the usually unbearable conditions associated with outdoor tennis – both in leagues and recreational play – a little friendlier!

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

• Outdoor tennis is a ‘state of mind’

There are a few basic tips for playing outdoors that should be kept in mind regardless of the playing level. I think one of the most important things to do as we approach the transition from inside tennis to outdoor tennis is done mentally. It’s important to understand that the outdoor elements (sun, wind, heat, cool) all affect the quality of ball striking. The most important tip is to lower your expectations as far as how well you feel like you are playing. A simple formula for success is: if E>R, then R=D, where E=expectation, R=reality, and D=disappointment. Mark Woldmoe, head teaching pro at Carmel Racquet Club

• Watch the ball… and your footwork I was never really good at transitioning from indoors to outdoors. You’ve got to be really

good about watching the ball and really good with your footwork since there are so many elements to take into consideration. Even when it’s not windy, footwork, patience and concentration are still so important. You can get away with a lot of things indoors because there are no elements to contend with, so you have to be aware of that when moving outdoors. And conditioning takes on a greater emphasis, which makes playing outdoors even harder. The more you move your feet, the more you have to watch the ball, the longer the points go, and the more in shape you’ve got to be. Rajeev Ram, ATP Tour pro

• Relax, stay patient when going outside The first thing you need to realize is that you’re not going to be able to hit the ball as hard, so you need to stay relaxed. A lot of people start gripping the racquet too hard and swinging too hard, which can result in an injury. When playing, being patient is a big key since you won’t be able to get away with some of the stuff that you can when playing indoors. Bryan Smith, teaching pro at UIndy Tennis Center

• Counter the counter-puncher Invariably, whether you’re playing league tennis, a tournament or even recreationally, at some point you’ll run into a “pusher” or “counterpuncher” – the kind of player that is so consistent and steady that he drives his opponents crazy. Remember, though, that even pushers have their weaknesses,

and the key to defeating them is to get them out of their comfort zone. Since they typically love to move from side to side to set up their groundstrokes, mix in some shorter balls, as well as some angled shots to get them away from their preferred comfort zone on the baseline. And, since a counterpuncher is rarely a good volleyer, try to bring him forward into the court and force him into a volley error. Also, try using the middlethird of the court – the center area of the court near the baseline. A well-placed shot to the middle can likely force a counter-puncher out of his rhythm, making him have to step out of the way to hit his shots. Sooner or later, unless he tries to force an angle and misses, you should get some shorter balls so that you can take the offensive. Tomas Johansson, teaching pro at Westview Healthplex Sports Club

on court

ith a “summer” outdoor tennis season that seemingly started in early spring, Indianapolis Tennis Magazine wanted to revisit some of the related tips that we’ve brought you over the last few years through our “On Court” feature.

Along with tips and suggestions on playing in, and adjusting to, the extreme conditions of outdoor tennis, also remember to properly hydrate before, during, and after the match, as well as pay attention to your nutritional requirements.

• Proper pre- and post-workout snacks

Tennis players will find better workouts and a higher level of performance when their bodies are properly fueled. It’s imperative to stress coming to practice or a match nutritionally prepared. If proper nutrition is not accounted for, players may notice a sluggish, dizzy, or light-headed feeling. Plan ahead by including a pre- and postplaying snack in your tennis bag.

Be sure a nutritious pre-playing snack is consumed one hour before, aiming for the American College of Sports Medicine/American Dietetic Association guidelines of 1 gram of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight (1 kg = 2.2 lbs). And don’t forget about after you play. After a long day of playing or multiple matches in a tournament, glycogen (or “muscle fuel”) levels are running on empty, which can contribute to muscle breakdown. To replenish, rebuild, and strengthen these muscle stores, proper carbohydrate and protein consumption should be consumed no later than one hour after playing. This allows muscle stores to absorb, regenerate, and bounce back stronger! Lindsay Langford (MS, RD, CSSD), sports dietician with St. Vincent Sports Performance

HCCTA presents honors during annual luncheon

he Hamilton County Community Tennis Association (HCCTA) held its 18th annual recognition luncheon June 1 at Carmel High School, honoring top scholarathletes within the community, as well as highlighting the many programs and services offered by the association. Recognition Awards were given to Maggie Petersen (volunteer); Lindsay Guest (coach); USTA Serves (corporation); and Kim Ainza (student). Recipients of HCCTA student scholarships were: Kim Ainza (Guerin Catholic School); Taylor Grayson (Hamilton Southeastern); and Audrey Rehberg and Andrew Wakefield (Westfield). Scholarship recipients must be Hamilton County residents, have played high school tennis for at least two years and be current members in good standing, and have performed HCCTA community service.

HCCTA scholarship winners pose with presenter Sue Harris; (from left) Andrew Wakefield, Audrey Rehberg, Harris, Taylor Grayson, and Kim Ainza.

The HCCTA also continued its partnership program with the Westfield Washington Public Library by donating fives sets (25 books) of its Champion Citizen series to the library’s Summer Youth Reading Program. The first 25 students who read a book and submit their comments will receive a “HCCTA Elementary Reads: Champion Reader” wrist band. When playing outdoors, be sure to take advantage of any available shade, whether it’s near the backstop between points or under cover during a changeover. Following his singles win in the Pearson Ford Open, Ruben Gonzales resorted to a good, old-fashioned ice bag to try to cool down. (Photo by Scott Cooper)

HCCTA’s Elementary Reads program distributes biographies of champion athletes and citizens to elementary students in the Indianapolis area. The five books in the Champion Citizens: Series One document the lives of Arthur Ashe, James Blake, Billie Jean King, Gale Sayers and George Taliaferro. These books are appropriate for third-grade readers and include educational activities and teacher guides. The goal is to have 1,000 sets of books in the hands of students in the metropolitan Indianapolis area by end of the 2013 school year. (Continued on page 11)

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

(Photo courtesy of HCCTA)

focus on fitness OFF-COURT STRATEGIES TO HELP YOUR GAME ON THE COURT

A good sports performance program off the court can improve your play on it

By Tom Jennings Med, ATC, NASM-PES

ENNIS SPORTS PERFORMANCE integrates multiple components of exercise, including: cardiovascular endurance, strength, power, flexibility, speed, agility, and quickness. Increasing strength is a critical part of a good performance program and an easy way to improve performance. However, many people do not realize the added benefit of injury prevention and injury recovery.

Obviously, you cannot continue to compete at the levels you are accustomed to if you are injured. Unfortunately, once injured, compensatory patterns may develop and create overuse injuries in other parts of the body. Implementing a balanced sports performance program will not only improve your game, but will keep you on the court by preventing injuries. And, should an injury occur, this will most likely decrease the severity of injury, and recovery will be quicker. Elbow injuries can keep baseball players, tennis players and golfers on the sideline for months if they are not managed correctly. Try the following four exercises to increase sports performance, prevent injury and reduce the severity and frequency of injuries.

Tennis Strength & Performance Therapy

n fit

• SOFT TISSUE MOBILITY – roll the forearm

before and after activity. Use light to medium pressure when rolling. When a tender area or “hot spot” is found, roll that area in different directions for 1-2 minutes. Visit www. therawheel.com for a video on this technique.

s es

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

The elbow is a complex joint, and injuries can take months to heal if not dealt with quickly and properly. There are many factors that lead to these injuries: lack of shoulder strength and wrist strength, as well as tight wrist extensors and flexors. Interestingly, leg strength can also play a role in elbow and shoulder injuries. If the legs are weak, athletes will exert more effort from the upper body, which can in turn create stress to the elbow and shoulder. Located in the forearm, the wrist flexors and extensors are often overused, thus creating inflammation, pain and immobility. Rolling and gliding the forearm will help reduce pain and inflammation and increase mobility. In addition, strengthening the wrist pronators & supinators, rotator cuff and the legs will help prevent and reduce severity and frequency of injuries. Athletes should progress to functional, single-limb exercises as soon as safely possible. Performing single-limb exercise isolates muscles and eliminates overuse by the dominant limb. By implementing a simple strength and soft tissue mobility program, athletes can improve tennis performance, prevent injuries and reduce the severity and frequency of injuries, and accelerate recovery. Perform these exercises 2-3 times per week, starting with 2-3 sets with 10-12 repetitions.

• WRIST PRONATION/SUPINATION – grasp one

end of a dumbbell (alternatively, you can also use a hammer or a long bar, grasping it closer to one end). Support your forearm on a bench or on your knee by kneeling. Slowly turn your wrist back and forth from palm facing floor to palm facing ceiling.

HCCTA presents honors during annual luncheon (Continued from page 9)

supported. Place towel between your upper arm and side. Keeping your elbow bent at 90 degrees, start with your hand at the stomach and rotate your hand upward keeping the elbow at side. Your wrist should remain locked during this, and your elbow should stay at 90 degrees. You should feel fatigue in the deltoid (shoulder) area. Perform 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions every other day. This weight should typically be lighter, usually no more than 10 pounds.

• LEG & HIP – place a Swiss ball against wall, and

Five groups of high school students wrote the text for the books in Champion Citizens: Series One with certified teachers supervising their work.

HCCTA once again is partnering with the Westfield Washington Public Library in promoting its Elementary Reads program. Shown with Will Smithers of the library’s Children’s Department are (from left) Kim Ainza, Carolyn Freeman, Smithers, Sue Harris, and Emily Winter. Ainza and Freeman were authors for the Champions Series book on Gale Sayers; Harris and Winter authored the book on Arthur Ashe. (Photo courtesy of HCCTA)

then place your hip against ball and rest your inside arm on ball. Standing on the outside leg, bend the inside leg so your foot is off the floor. Slightly push into ball when squatting. Perform one-quarter squat by sitting back so movement is at hip, and knees stay behind toes. Keep shoulders back so you are not leaning too far forward.

Photos courtesy of Tom Jennings

For additional tips on exercises, visit: www.ofithealth.com For additional tips on injury recovery, visit: www.therawheel.com Tom Jennings, Med, ATC, NASM-PES, founded O’Fit Performance Therapy and Fitness in Indianapolis.

REDUCE PAIN + ACCELERATE RECOVERY

therawheel.com

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

• ROTATOR CUFF – lie on your side with your neck

65+

Non-progressive League

Levels:

Playing surface:

ameer Kumar (pictured) was one of 118 junior players within the Central Indiana Tennis Association (CITA) who earned a spot in the USTA/Midwest Section Junior Closed tournament following their performance in the CITA Junior Qualifier last month.

Court Fees:

The Midwest Closed was held June 23-28 in Indianapolis (boys and girls 16s and 18s) and Kalamazoo, Michigan (boys and girls 12s and 14s).

6.5, 7.5, and 8.5 Clay courts

$8.00 per player, per match

Held at various sites around Central Indiana, the qualifier drew a field of 413 of the top junior players in CITA.

Time & Day:

SINGLES CHAMPIONS WERE:

Fridays, 6:30pm to 8:30 pm

Play begins:

Aug 10th & ends Sept 14th

Players need to be USTA members

Registration begins: • INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

7/15/2012

Registration Fee: $20.00

Boys 12: Girls 12: Boys 14: Girls 14: Boys 16: Girls 16: Boys 18: Girls 18:

Maximillian Wild Maeve Koscielski Jonathan Kroot Claire Reifeis Sameer Kumar Jackie Kawamoto Mihir Kumar Brooke Austin

Boys 12: Girls 12: Boys 14: Girls 14: Boys 16: Girls 16: Boys 18: Girls 18:

Patrick Fletchall & Presley Theineman Addison Brown & Chrissy Fuller Jonathan Kroot & JT Wynne Caroline McAuley & Claire Reifeis Sameer Kumar & Dan Rayl Jackie Kawamoto & Jade Kawamoto Lucas Anderson & Mihir Kumar Olivia Boesing & Sidnay Huck

DOUBLES CHAMPIONS WERE:

Balls will be provided

118 earn spots in Midwest Closed

(Photo by Scott Cooper)

New USTA

317.846.4560

Team Tennis Format: A team is comprised of 3 men and 3 women, and each match will consist of a women’s doubles match, a men’s doubles match, and a mixed doubles match. Registration instructions on our website:

www.centralindiana.usta.com

New video series targets tennis health questions

(Continued from page 5)

The videos cover proper tennis mechanics, common tennis injuries and the benefits of youth tennis, with teaching pros from Five Seasons Sports Club demonstrating some of the common mistakes made by recreational players that can lead to injury. They discuss the importance of footwork and balance as essential elements of putting the player into position to hit the ball properly. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of the connection of the right and left sides of the body in producing smooth, effortless strokes. In one video, Dr. Sallay explains the basic care of acute minor injuries following the R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) treatment formula. Injuries which don’t resolve in a few days with the basic care may require the attention of a sports medicine physician. In another video, Dr. Sallay addresses parents’ questions about the safety of the sport. He encourages parents to teach children tennis at a young age because it’s one of the safer sports for them to play. In addition, there are long-term health benefits for children who start playing at a young age and continue playing as an adult. The video series can be viewed on the MSM/TOS YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/MethodistsSports

FCHS tennis team trades in their

blue for orange to help Maddy

By SCOTT COOPER

he courts and bleachers at Franklin Central High School, normally awash in a sea of blue for a home match, turned orange for a day during the girls’ high school season as the team displayed unity and support for one of their own.

The Lady Flashes hosted Lawrence North on April 27th, dedicating the match to Maddy and her family. The team and coaches wore special orange shirts in her honor and fans making a minimum donation of $20 would also receive a shirt. Orange is the color associated with leukemia awareness. Maddy’s mom, Marizel, lined up with the team on the court as an honorary coach for the day. “We discovered on March 12 that she had Acute Myeloid Leukemia,” she said. “She was sick for about six weeks prior to the diagnosis. It started out as rib pain, but since she had just been playing volleyball for the first time, we thought maybe she had

The Franklin Central High School girls’ tennis team and coaches exchanged their usual uniforms for orange t-shirts as part of their “Match for Maddy” fundraiser. (Photo by Scott Cooper)

pulled a rib muscle. Looking back, we now know that joint pain can be a sign of leukemia, and she had severe joint pain. “She had a couple of other minor things, but right before she went to the hospital she had a high fever, fatigue, chills, and she was pale. All of those are signs of anemia, and she had every symptom of it,” Marizel added. Several doctor visits led to a blood test, which not only revealed mononucleosis, but also very low blood counts. Another trip, this time to Riley Hospital for Children, and a bone marrow biopsy yielded the diagnosis doctors had hoped to be able to rule out. Maddy is scheduled to undergo a bone marrow transplant this summer. Thankfully, her sister is a perfect match, hitting all six of the necessary markers. Franklin Central coach Bruce Torgersen, who literally went orange from head to toe, brought the idea – which ultimately raised nearly $500 – to his team’s attention. Those in attendance at the match were encouraged to sign a banner that would be given to Maddy. (Photo by Scott Cooper)

“I thought it’d be a neat way to raise some money for the family, knowing it can be really difficult with travel and other issues,” he explained. “But instead, the family said they’d prefer for the money to go to the Leukemia Society. “One thing about our program is we always talk a lot about family,” the coach said. “And I really do think we have a family. Our middle school girls are really tight with our high school girls, so it really is a family thing, and Maddy is a part of that family.” “I was just amazed and surprised,” Marizel said of her reaction when plans for the fundraiser were first announced. “You feel grateful that there’s a community that supports your daughter and your family. When I pulled into the school today and saw all the orange, I have to admit I had to hold back some tears.” Maddy had been playing tennis for three years, having started out taking lessons from Torgersen’s son, Micah. “She just blossomed; she loves it,” her mom said. “It just took a little coaxing, for her to feel more confident, and the lessons were a great help.”

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

Madeline "Maddy" Justice, a seventh grader at Franklin Township Middle School West and the number one singles player at the school, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia earlier in the spring. Maddy’s sister, Melanie, is a member of the Franklin Central team.

news & notes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Suscha to JCC

“I want tennis to be accessible to the entire community. The diversity of the JCC’s population and the JCC’s location in the middle of a north-side neighborhood make it the ideal place to offer tennis to enthusiasts across the spectrum,” he added.

Fall 2012 Worth New York

AUGUST 7-16 Goad’s Guest Home

Suscha led the Bulldogs to nine conference championships over 15 seasons. He was voted Horizon League Men’s Tennis Coach of the Year five times and coached the Horizon League Player of the Year seven times.

Super Seniors fall short at Nationals

For an appointment: Linda Goad 317/502-4531 lgoad@worthnewyork.com

hot and steamy Arizona greeted CITA’s Women’s 8.0 Super Senior team as they competed in the USTA League Tennis National Championships. Captained by Yas Matsumoto, the team followed up a 9-0 regular season last summer by going 3-1 in the USTA/Midwest Section championship. Though they tied the team from Michigan, the CITA ladies won the tiebreaker by winning one more individual match. In the National Championships, held this past April, the team finished 1-2 in their flight and failed to advance to the final playoff rounds. Team members were: Yas Matsumoto, Katy Burke, Amy Chappell, Betts Cooper, Ute Coyne, Mary Feeney, Barbara Hassell, JoAnn McKenna, Gayle Meyer, Gaye Moore, Betty Watson, and Linda Wilhelm.

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• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

Local players receive collegiate honors

he announcement of post-season awards for collegiate tennis put the spotlight on several players from Indianapolis who received various conference and national honors. Freshman Emina Bektas helped lead the University of Michigan women’s tennis team to a share of its third straight Big Ten regular-season conference title, earning Conference Freshman Player of the Year honors along the way. The Wolverines went 10-1 through the regular season before falling in the conference tournament final to Purdue, 4-3, in Columbus, Ohio. Bektas finished the regular season with a 31-8 overall record at No. 1 singles, including 20-4 in dual meets, and reached a high of No. 5 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) rankings. A unanimous pick for freshman of the year and all-conference, she was also named Big Ten Athlete of the Week four times. (Continued to page 21)

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IRC member helped fuel Mardy Fish’s rise to the ATP Tour’s Top 10 By LINDA COOK

But, how many of you knew that his success can be partly attributed to a Hoosier connection, specifically Indianapolis-based physiotherapist Christian LoCascio? Born in Wisconsin but mostly raised in Indiana, LoCascio graduated from Hamilton Southeastern High School where he ran track, and later earned a B.S. in Kinesiology in 1994 at Indiana University.

MARDY FISH, shown here playing last year’s Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati against Andy Murray, owes much of his rise through the rankings of the ATP Tour to Indy’s own Christian LoCascio. (Photo by Rita Payne)

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

While there are still many questions regarding the future of American players on the professional tennis tours, one of the bright spots has been the resurgence over the last few years of Mardy Fish. Fitter, trimmer, and more agile, thanks to a new diet and exercise regimen, Fish currently sits twelfth in the ATP Tour rankings although he had risen to as high as number seven in the world.

Although he initially considered med school and a career as a doctor, he opted instead for athletic training and landed a one-year internship at North Central High School, working with the football, boys’ basketball and girls’ tennis teams. LoCascio went to graduate school at the University of Miami, one of the top three schools in the country for physical therapy, and received an M.S. in Physical Therapy in 1997. While he didn’t play much tennis himself, it was his favorite sport to work with. Finishing his internship at North Central, he passed the Athletic Trainer certification exam in 1998.

Fish remembered LoCascio from those days, and, when he was seeking a fulltime personal trainer in 2009, approached him about the position. Though it seemed like a less-secure position, since some players are constantly changing coaches and trainers, LoCascio felt it was not only a good opportunity, but the right time to make a change. He subsequently moved to Los Angeles and lived with Fish for three months, helping him rehab after knee surgery. LoCascio had always been interested in nutrition; he studied it outside of school and worked at a nutrition center in Miami to help pay for college. So, he began to work with Fish, tracking every calorie and nutrient, and Fish made the commitment to eat better and train harder than ever. He hired a personal chef, who is a dietician, and she and LoCascio worked together in planning his meals. With the new emphasis on eating well, Fish lost 30 pounds in three months, which he has continued to maintain.

Being one of the guiding forces in the resurgence of Mardy Fish also meant that Christian LoCascio (right) got his share of exposure during televised matches. (Photo courtesy of Christian LoCascio)

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

While working at North Central, he became aware of a fulltime athletic trainer position that was going to be available with the United States Tennis Association (USTA). LoCascio was recommended for the job, thus beginning a long – and still current – association with tennis players.

In addition to improving his nutrition, LoCascio worked with Fish at the USTA Training Center in Carson, California. One of three such centers (the other two are in Boca Raton, Florida, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center), they provide training opportunities, strength coaching, and other players to hit with. When Fish resumed playing, the weight loss and improved fitness had a big effect on his game. He was able to play every tournament he wanted, which put Team Fish on the road 30-35 weeks a year.

Fish’s goals for last season were to make the top 10 and earn a spot in the World Tour Finals in London. He achieved both, climbing to seventh in the world and becoming the top-ranked American men’s player. Earlier this year, LoCascio had the opportunity to work as the trainer for the U.S. Davis Cup team in Switzerland. Working with the entire team, which included Fish, was “exciting, but nerve wracking”.

From October 1998 to April 2009, LoCascio was the USTA’s only fulltime athletic trainer, traveling the Futures and Challengers circuits, as well as the U.S. Open. As the only trainer, he was ‘It’s a source of pride for constantly busy helping the players with Mardy has come so far.’ stretching, taping, and injury care, as well as being on call for players on court.

“It seemed like there was more at me that stake, with six guys playing for their country,” he said. –Physiotherapist Christian LoCascio “It was bigger than With an 18 tournament schedule, he found just Mardy, and a the job stayed fresh because of the different lot of pressure for players who came and went. During that time he not the players.” The U.S. team went on to upset Switzerland only worked with Fish, but also Andy Roddick, James 5-0, with big wins over former world number one Roger Blake, Robby Ginepri, and Bob and Mike Bryan, along Federer and teammate Stanislas Wawrinka. with many others who never reached the pro tour’s highest level. Though he primarily worked with the As well as things had been going for Fish, serious men’s tour, he did accompany Maria Sharapova at one problems developed earlier this year when he suffered tournament when her trainer was sick. several episodes of a rapid heartbeat. Though the

initial diagnosis was fatigue, doctors were unable to pinpoint the exact problem and Fish actually wore a heart monitor during a tournament in Houston. However, after another episode, he was eventually diagnosed with heart arrhythmia. Surgery in May to correct the condition meant Fish was unable to play the French Open. But late in May, LoCascio returned to Fish’s Los Angeles home as he began light training in preparation for the grass-court season and Wimbledon. “Working with Mardy is a nice, comfortable situation,” LoCascio explained. “I’m one of the family; I even spent Christmas there (in Los Angeles) twice in the last three years.” “Home” in Indiana is a Carmel apartment he shares with his sister, though he likes to spend time with his girlfriend, work out at the gym, and play tennis with friends at Indianapolis Racquet Club-Dean Road, where he has been a member for five or six years. LoCascio also continues with his education, taking classes and attending workshops and conventions in order to keep his certifications current. When the 30-year-old Fish retires, LoCascio would still like to work with another player or perhaps at a USTA academy. “These past three years have gone better than I could’ve hoped for,” he says. “It’s a source of pride for me that Mardy has come so far.”

Local players highlight girls’ all-state teams

he Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTeCA) has released its list of the players who have been named to the 2012 girls’ all-state and allacademic teams, as voted by its members.

Singles – First Team:

Meredith Goshell (Cathedral); Kristi Hsu (HSE); Jackie Kawamoto (Greenwood); Bethany Moore (Lebanon); and Bailey Padgett (Carmel).

Honorable Mention:

Abby Brady (Cathedral); Leah Bullock (Cardinal Ritter); Katie Bullock (Brownsburg); Molly Fletchall (Carmel); Jillian Fledderman and Grace Neathery(Center Grove); Meghan Fitzpatrick (Mooresville); Bridgett Hodge (Park Tudor); Hannah Hook and Abby Smith (Franklin); Drew Hurt (North Central); Kelly Iden (HSE); Heather O’Brien (Bishop Chatard); Abi Schuster (Franklin Central); and Courtney Siepman (Plainfield).

Doubles – First Team:

Alaina Finklemeier / Haley Wild (Carmel); and Carlene Eckhart / Caroline Combs (Cathedral).

Doubles – Second Team:

Olivia Ruthsatz / Ellen Hornett (Fishers); Ali Lebovits / Amanda Essex (Park Tudor); and Autumn Fair / Kelly Mattingly (Zionsville). Kim Ainza (Guerin Catholic); Robin Beidelman and Kamen Rose (Tech); Lauren Brand (Greenfield Central); Gabriela Cabello (Ben Davis); Elizabeth Hoover and Allison MacAllister (University); Sarah Huber (Hamilton Heights); Hannah Jones (Mooresville); Janine Kabir (Anderson); Tanya Khokhar (New Palestine); Judy Kieweg and Tyler Smith (Indian Creek); Heather O’Brien (Chatard); Claire Ronan (Mooresville); Abby Smith (Franklin); Brooke Taylor (Lawrence Central); and Mattie White (Greenwood).

Honorable Mention:

Carah Austin and Lauren Garner (Whiteland); Emily Bueno (Center Grove); Serena Caress (Whiteland); Carlene Eckhart (Cathedral); Alaina Finkelmeier (Carmel); Sarah Humbird (Franklin Central); Makayla Jordan (Ben Davis); Kyla Leary (Greenfield Central); Megan Locke (Avon); Briana Metzger (Tech); Emily Moeller (New Palestine); Melissa Montes (Decatur Central); Morgan Pierle (Perry Meridian); Chelsea Platt (Morristown); Clara Ruegsegger (Mt. Vernon); Courtney Siepman (Plainfield); and Hillary Williams (Crispus Attucks). Christian LoCascio (right) with Mardy Fish, who rose to a career-high world ranking of number seven on the men’s tennis tour. (Photo courtesy of Christian LoCascio)

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

Academic All-State:

Cathedral falls short as Evansville Memorial captures sixth girls’ state title By SCOTT COOPER

ride and disappointment – typically conflicting emotions – were swirling inside Cathedral High School coach Mark Noe just moments after his Lady Irish fell just short with a 3-2 loss to Evansville Memorial in the IHSAA state girls’ tennis finals. Pride seemed to be winning out. In only the second appearance by the school in the championship match (the Irish won in their only other appearance in 1986), Cathedral couldn’t quite get by a Tigers squad that had been waiting a year for a chance to not only notch their sixth team title, but also avenge a finals loss just a year earlier to Carmel.

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

“I knew (Memorial) would be a tough team, the number one team in the state, and they’d be fine-tuned,” Noe said afterward. “But, what can you say about this season? Incredible. We really wanted to win, but I couldn’t be more proud of the girls.”

Memorial eliminated any suspense in the championship match by winning the first three courts to finish. Jasmine Lee topped Abby Brady in number two singles, 6-0, 6-1, while the number two doubles team of Audrey Vincent and Brenna Wu defeated Olivia Flynn and Caroline Sprunger, 6-4, 6-2. Brigitte Swartwood provided the titleclinching point with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Simone Deighan. Both Brady and Deighan were involved in three-set matches in the morning semifinals against Ft. Wayne Canterbury, with both lasting more than three hours, as the Lady Irish rallied from a 2-1 deficit to reach the final.

Top-ranked Evansville Memorial finished with a 25-0 record and the girls’ state team title with a 3-2 win over Cathedral in the final match. Earlier, in the morning semifinals, the Tigers avenged last year’s finals loss to Carmel with a 3-2 win.

“With Simone’s match, it made a big difference; she looked a little tired and so did Abby,” Noe reasoned. “But, Abby played an unbelievable player. We may have been tired, but we gave it our all on every court.” Cathedral won the final two courts, with Carlene Eckhart and Caroline Combs defeating previously unbeaten Liz Wilm and Rachel Swartwood at number one doubles, 7-5, 7-6, and Meredith Goshell going three sets to top Macie Elliott, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Elliott, the defending state singles champion, entered the weekend with just one loss on the season, but fell in all three of her matches in the final rounds, including a 6-0, 6-2 decision to Carmel’s Bailey Padgett in the semifinal. Carmel came into its third state finals appearance in the last four years as the defending champion, ranked second in the state with a 16-0 record, and a new head coach in Mike Bostic. The Greyhounds left with a 17-1 season mark, courtesy of a 5-0 win over Terre Haute South in the quarterfinals and a 3-2 loss to Memorial in the semis. A three-setter at number one doubles made the difference, with Memorial’s Rachel

Swartwood and Liz Wilm topping Alaina Finkelmeier and Hayley Wild, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. If the “Eight at State” format had always been in effect, then Steve Gantz and his Greenwood girls would have been no strangers to the state finals round, having already reached the semi-state on several occasions. Riding a 21-2 record and anchored by the Kawamoto sisters – Jackie and Jade – in the top two singles spots, the Woodmen lost a very close 3-2 decision to Canterbury in the state quarterfinals as the deciding court went three sets. Carmel’s Mikaela Carlson was named the recipient of the mental attitude award. The Lady Irish’s number one doubles team of Carlene Eckhart (left) and Caroline Combs accounted for Cathedral’s second point in the championship match with a 7-5, 7-6 win.

Cathedral sophomore Meredith Goshell rebounded from a semifinal loss to Fort Wayne Canterbury’s Leah Barnes to defeat defending state singles champ Macie Elliott in three sets at number one singles in the championship match.

Photos by Scott Cooper

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Carmel sophomore Bailey Padgett was one of the shining stars for the Greyhounds in the semifinal against Memorial, defeating Macie Elliott at number one singles, 6-0, 6-2.

Locals shut out in individual tennis finals I

By SCOTT COOPER

t was a tough weekend for the players from metro Indianapolis schools who were still alive in the final rounds of the IHSAA girls’ state singles and doubles tournament as both titles went north. Penn senior Alexandra Brinker had an impressive run to finish with a 24-1 record and the singles title, defeating Lebanon’s Bethany Moore, Carmel’s Bailey Padgett and eventually Leah Barnes of Fort Wayne Canterbury in succession. Moore, the 2010 runner-up, came into the quarterfinals with an unblemished record of 28-0 on the season and needing just one more

win to tie the record for the most career high school wins. She started strong, taking the first set at 6-2, but then dropped the final two sets, 6-3, 6-4. Padgett, already nursing an injury from the previous week, fell 6-3, 6-2. The final went to Brinker with a 6-3, 6-2 win over the freshman Barnes, who brought a 28-0 record on the season into the match.

The only local doubles team to qualify was the Zionsville duo of Autumn Fair and Kelly Mattingly. After a bye in the quarterfinal round, they lost 6-1, 6-1 to Abigail and Vanessa Madrigal of Highland. They would go on to defeat Elizabeth Maxson and Audrey Rang of Fort Wayne Dwenger, 6-1, 6-2, to win the championship.

Zionsville senior Autumn Fair (left) and junior Kelly Mattingly saw their chances for a state title end with a semifinal loss to the Madrigal sisters of Highland.

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

An impressive and near record-tying career for Lebanon’s Bethany Moore ended in a three-set loss to Brinker.

Carmel’s Bailey Padgett won her quarterfinal round match, but fell to eventual champ Alexandra Brinker in the semifinal, 6-3, 6-2.

Penn senior Alexandra Brinker won the state singles title.

Juniors Abigail (left) and Vanessa Madrigal of Highland take a break on a changeover enroute to the doubles championship. Photos by Scott Cooper

hands out spring awards

he USTA/Midwest Section honored its 2012 Midwest Spring Award winners at an awards luncheon last April. The luncheon was during the USTA/Midwest Section Spring Meeting at the Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel in Carmel. Those honored were: • CAP LEIGHTON AWARD – Wendy Franz, Midland, MI Franz has been instrumental to the growth and vitality of tennis in the Midland area through her position as a tournament director, membership director, and tennis professional. Franz and her passion for tennis have benefitted the Northeastern Michigan Tennis Association and particularly the Midland area for more than 10 years. • COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATION AWARD – Western Kenosha Tennis Assoc., Kenosha, WI The Western Kenosha County Tennis Association was started in 2008 in an effort to introduce people of all ages and abilities to the lifetime sport of tennis. The Western Kenosha County Tennis Association focused on the Midwest Youth Team Tennis program for 10-and-under youth during its first year of existence. • FRED BURNS MEDIA AWARD – Mark Ambrogi, Indianapolis, IN Ambrogi, a sports reporter for The Indianapolis Star newspaper, covers tennis along with other sports. He

maintains the newspaper’s online tennis prep blog which includes articles and scores about high school tennis, and frequent updates about former junior players including Rajeev Ram, now competing on the ATP Tour.

He is currently ranked No. 1 in both the USTA and USTA/Midwest Section Boys’ 18 division. • MEMBER ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD – Love to Serve, Inc., Chicago, IL Love to Serve, founded in 1992, impacts more than 1,000 youth each year. It was established to keep innercity youth off the streets by creating an alternative for them to participate in structured tennis and academic programs after-school, weekends and throughout the summer.

• HELEN SHOCKLEY AWARD – Gabriel Spindler, Clarkston, MI Spindler finished 2011 ranked No. 5 in Southeastern Michigan, and No. 33 in the USTA/Midwest Section. Spindler has played high school varsity tennis the past three years, and sports an overall 60-6 record. During her high school career she has won All-League, All-Region, All-County and All-State tennis honors.

• STANLEY MALLESS AWARD – Pam Dwyer, Racine, WI Dwyer has been a volunteer for the Wisconsin Tennis Association for more than ten years. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, she has also served on numerous committees including: Nominating, Multicultural, Rankings, Tournaments and Collegiate. She is the founder and President of the Racine Community Tennis Association.

• WALLACE R. HOLZMAN, SR. AWARD – Ronnie Schneider, Bloomington, IN Schneider finished 2011 ranked No. 1 in the nation in USTA Boys’ 18, and No. 1 in the USTA/Midwest Section Boys’ 18. He is currently ranked No. 1 in both the USTA and USTA/ Midwest Section Boys’ 18 division. He finished 2011 ranked No. 1 in the nation in USTA Boys’ 18, and No. 1 in the USTA/Midwest Section Boys’ 18.

• FRANK DOWLING AWARD – Arnie Villagomez, Homewood, IL Villagomez has been officiating tennis matches since 2000, and has served as a mentor to provisional tennis officials and junior tennis players. He has served as an official and referee for numerous tournaments throughout the USTA, USTA/Midwest Section, and Chicago District Tennis Association. He is currently a USTA/Midwest Section Delegate-at-Large, and has served on the League Committee.

Local players honored (Continued from page 14)

Bektas, who lost in her first-round singles match in the NCAA tournament, was named to the ITA All-America team in Division I.

and his brother, Paul, also received conference AllAcademic honors.

Another freshman, Nick Chappell, was named the year’s top freshman by the Mountain West Conference during its banquet held in San Diego. The former IHSAA state singles champion from North Central High School is the first Texas Christian University (TCU) freshman to win the award after having put together one of the best initial seasons in school history. His 20-10 overall record included a 13-6 record during the fall season.

In voting by the men’s tennis coaches in the North Coast Athletic Conference, sophomore Sam Miles was one of five DePauw student-athletes from the Indianapolis area to earn spots on the all-conference team. Miles was a first-team selection in singles, while Michael Rardon, David Moss, and Chris Bertolini each was named honorable mention in singles. Moss was also named to the doubles first team after finishing with a 25-6 mark, while Miles took second team doubles honors with a 21-8 record. Miles qualified for the NCAA Division III singles championship, but lost in his first-round match.

Chappell held down the No. 1 singles spot for the Horned Frogs, going 4-1 against conference opponents. In addition, Chappell earned a spot on the all-conference singles team and was named the team’s most valuable player. Chappell

Sophomore Sam Miles was one of four DePauw studentathletes from the Indianapolis area to earn spots on the allNorth Coast Athletic Conference team. The Tigers were ranked 28th in the most recent Division III Coaches’ Poll.

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

USTA/Midwest Section

Pearson Ford Open Gonzales tops former champ in singles final; Kielbowicz/Harrison go the distance for doubles title

By SCOTT COOPER

t was hard to tell if it was the nearly perfect weather or the doubling of the prize money from last year, but there was a lot of excellent tennis on display at the 2012 Pearson Ford Open during its five-day run at Woodstock Club as a field of 30 players fought for a share of the $20,000 that was up for grabs. But, in the end, the draw held true to form as the top two seeds, Ruben Gonzales and Joel Kielbowicz, dueled it out in the final with Gonzales winning 6-2, 7-6.

• INDIANAPOLIS TENNIS - Summer 2012

“I was dominating because I was playing at a pretty good level, and he was still trying to get used to how I play,” Gonzales said of the difference between the first and second set results. “He was able to figure out some things tactically; he was able to crawl back and it was pretty much even after that.”

“I really needed a backhand,” Kielbowicz said of the shot that let him down too many times in the championship match. “I started out slowly all week, but by the middle of the second set I’d start hitting my serves well and playing well, so it’s really my fault. To be honest, Ruben’s a little higher caliber of player than I’m used to playing. Having hardly played at all in the last year and having not seen that heavy of a ball for awhile, it was a shock initially.”

FORMER NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL STANDOUT Ruben Gonzales earned the tournament’s top seed, coming into the five-day run with an ATP Tour ranking of 878. He left as the singles champion and runner-up in doubles, pocketing a total of $4,500 in prize money.

The second set breaker was only the second time all week that Gonzales had been pushed, having needed three sets the day before to beat sixthseeded Nick Chappell, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in a battle of former North Central High School players, both of whom had won state championships while at the school. “For me, it’s just going for my shots and making sure that, whatever the situation is, I’m playing my game

and not playing to the other guy’s strengths,” Gonzales said of the strategy that guided him to the largest single payday of his career ($4,000). Joining Gonzales, Chappell and Kielbowicz in the semifinals was Indiana University junior Josh MacTaggart, who played number two singles for the Hoosiers and was seeded fifth in the tournament. Kielbowicz did come back, however, to win the doubles with partner Malcolm Harrison in a supertiebreak over Gonzales and Ryan Rowe, who won the 2006 NCAA doubles championship with Kevin Anderson for the University of Illinois. The doubles champs each took home $1,000. Title sponsor John Pearson was pleased with the event, which was being played for just the second year at Woodstock Club following the demolition of the Indianapolis Tennis Center, and he embraced the idea of taking the currently non-sanctioned tournament to the next level. “The venue gives (the tournament) such an intimate flavor versus downtown,” he said. “At the other venue you had the backdrop of the city, so each of them is very strong in both ways. But this venue for tennis is so historic, going back to the 1920s, that it’s my hope we can bring back some of that same flavor. “I don’t know what the process will be, but we’re certainly going to look into the Futures tournament and hopefully grow into a Challenger event in the not-too-distant future,” Pearson added. That prospect echoed the feedback from players, who lauded the event’s new home.

“(The tournament) was run beautifully,” said Kielbowicz, who won the singles title the last year the tournament was held downtown. “The staff was great, and the tournament officials really took care of the players. As a player, it’s always good to have an experience like that, and it’s a good incentive to return.” Photos by Scott Cooper

SECOND-SEEDED Joel Kielbowicz of Scottsdale, Arizona, won the tournament’s singles title in 2010, the last year the event was played at the Indianapolis Tennis Center.

MALCOLM HARRISON (left) AND JOEL KIELBOWICZ were seeded second in doubles, but took home the title with a thrilling 7-5, 3-6, 12-10 win over Ruben Gonzales and Ryan Rowe.

NICK CHAPPELL HAD AN IMPRESSIVE RUN through the singles draw as the sixth seed, knocking off third-seeded Tony Larson in straight sets before falling to Ruben Gonzales, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in the semifinals.

A STAPLE OF THE SUMMER HARD COURT SEASON at the Indianapolis Tennis Center, the Pearson Ford Open moved to the Woodstock Club’s more intimate setting following the Center’s closure. This was the second year for the event to be held on the club’s immaculate clay courts.

Annual dinner honors volunteers, youth players C

Photos by Scott Cooper

onnie Held was a tireless volunteer and champion of local tennis and her memory is honored annually at a dinner at the Barbara S. Wynne Tennis Center, where local youth players and adult volunteers are recognized for their similar accomplishments and dedication. This year’s dinner was also a remembrance of Stan Malless, who left an indelible imprint on the game of tennis both in Indianapolis and around the world when he passed away in January. Longtime friend Chuck DeVoe presented the boys’ and girls’ awards that are given in Malless’ name and ran down a list of the many accomplishments attributed to the former president of CITA, the USTA/Midwest Section and the USTA. In addition to the many individual awards, the dinner, sponsored by the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Development Fund, also recognized those involved in the Champions Series book project of the Hamilton County Community Tennis Association. The USTA/Midwest Section’s 14 and Under (Advanced) Junior Team Tennis team, which finished third in the national finals, were also recognized, as were the many efforts by the Indianapolis National Junior Tennis League.

Piper (left) and Gavin Murphy – pictured with Brooke Austin – were recognized for their involvement as ambassadors in the 10 & Under Tennis Initiative.

Park Tudor’s Brendan Tannenbaum, who will attend Dartmouth in the fall, received the Dr. Greg Millis Memorial Scholarship from P.A. Nilhagen.

Other honorees included: • Mikaela Carlson, Tracy Thorsell, Mihir Kumar and Elliott Yee – Stan Malless Leadership and Scholarship Award • Vonda Lutz – Connie Held Spirit of Volunteerism Award • Chelsea Carter – Connie Held North Central Award • Lauren Goodman and Kelly Iden – Ann Schaefer Award • Carlene Eckhart – Marianne Nilhagen Award • Brigette Hodge – Rita Stoepplewerth Memorial Scholarship • Brendan Tannenbaum – Dr. Greg Millis Memorial Scholarship • Brooke Austin – Dottie Meyer Memorial Scholarship • Sameer Kumar and Ronnie Schneider – Kurt Freudenthal Memorial Scholarship • Riley Reist – Easter Bowl Recognition

North Central’s Chelsea Carter received the Connie Held North Central Award from coach Dan Brunette (left) and Andrew Held. The Stan Malless award for boys was awarded to (top photo) Elliott Yee and Mihir Kumar, flanked by Bryan Smith (left) and Andrew Held; the girls’ award (bottom), was presented to Tracy Thorsell (left) and Mikaela Carlson, with Jeff Smith (left) and Held making the presentations.

This page is compliments of the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Development Fund