News

by Sarah Houseknecht, Special to USTA.com

CAYCE, S.C, – A team from Austin, Texas representing the Texas USTA Section, captured the Advanced Title at the 2012 USTA Jr. Team Tennis 18 and Under National Championships while a team from Hartsdale, N.Y. earned the same bragging rights in the Intermediate division. The 2012 JTT Nationals were held at the Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center in Cayce, S.C., Oct. 26-28.

The JTT 18U Nationals brought together the top 32 teams (more than 250 players) at Intermediate and Advanced levels from various USTA Sections throughout the country.

The Austin team, also known as the ATA Dream Team, defeated a team from El Paso, Texas (60-13) in the Championship match. Earlier in the tournament, they defeated a team from Jacksonville, Fla. in the semifinals (59-33). The 18U Champions join their 14U team who won the JTT 14 and Under Advanced National Championship last weekend.

Both the 14 and 18U Texas Advanced teams are coached by Kendall Brooks. The 18U team features: Brittany Brewster, Josh Hagar, Meredith Parks, Jonah Kral, Austin Mayo, Morgan Barnhill and Meghan O’Malley.

The Hartsdale team, also known as the JAMF Drop Shots, defeated a team from the Midwest Section, representing Port Huron, Mich. (45-44) in the Championship match. Along the way, they also beat teams from Florida, Southwest-WC and Mid-Atlantic Sections.

The Eastern team is coached by Shawn Bowen and features: Marco Gobbato, Jason Strudwick, Daniel King, John Paul Bremar, Nick Meluso, Mindy Huto, Kosuke Tremonte, Averie Bowen, Diana King, Carlo Francisco and Page Keating.

18U Advanced Rank:
1. Texas
2. Southwest
3. Florida
4. Northern
5. Southern-WC2
6. New England
7. Midwest
8. Southern
9. Middle States
10. Missouri Valley
11. Caribbean
12. Pacific Northwest
13. Southern-WC
14. NorCal
15. Mid-Atlantic
16. Eastern-WC   

Sportsmanship Award:
Amanda Keller – Florida (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Kyle Lynch – Southern-WC2 (Cary, N.C.)

Best Team Banner Award:
Pacific Northwest (Bellevue, Wash.)

Team Spirit Award:
Northern (Minneapolis, Minn.)

18U Intermediate Rank:
1. Eastern
2. Midwest
3. Southern
4. Caribbean
5. Missouri Valley
6. Southern-WC
7. Mid-Atlantic
8. Pacific Northwest
9. New England
10. Middle States-WC
11. Florida
12. Southwest
13. Southwest-WC
14. Northern
15. Texas
16. Hawaii Pacific   

Sportsmanship Award:
Averie Bowen – Eastern (Hartsdale, N.Y.)
Nicolas Limacher – New England (West Newbury, Mass.)

Best Team Banner Award:
Midwest (Port Huron, Mich.)

Team Spirit Award:
Southern (Wilmington, N.C.)

 

The National Championships serves as the crown jewel of USTA Jr. Team Tennis as the nation’s top teams compete for the title. Each year the USTA crowns a national champion in two age divisions (14U and 18U) in both the Intermediate and Advanced play divisions. This year, there are 32 teams from across the United States who have advanced to the National Championships totaling 249 participants.

Established in 1991, USTA Jr. Team Tennis provides youth with all of the health and social benefits of tennis in a co-ed, fun and competitive team environment, and allows participants to compete with and against individuals of similar skill and age levels. It promotes social skills and important values by fostering a spirit of cooperation and unity, as well as individual self-growth. USTA Jr. Team Tennis is also a fun environment for kids to learn that succeeding is really more about how they play the game—win or lose.