USTA INTERMOUNTAINANNUAL AWARDS

2026 AWARD WINNERS:

2026 Family of Year: HERNANDEZ FAMILY; NEVADA

Presented annually to a family within the USTA Intermountain Section who has exemplified the benefits of tennis as a family recreational sport and has contributed to their tennis community in a significant way. Section winners are submitted to the USTA for the National Family of the Year Award.

2026 Organization of the Year: TETON COUNTY COMMUNITY TENNIS ASSOCIATION; WYOMING

Given annually to recognize the services rendered to Intermountain's USTA members by its member organizations, Community Tennis Associations, Clubs, Parks and Recreation Departments, etc. Section winners are submitted to the USTA for the National Organization of the Year Award.

2026 Coach of the Year: KING KOEHLER; UTAH

Initiated in 2000, this award is given to recognize the outstanding efforts of a coach in the USTA Intermountain Section. This coach is being honored for his or her endless dedication to developing tennis players at all levels through teaching, presence at tournaments and events, and positive role modeling on and off the court. 

2026 Nikos Ridle Junior Sportsmanship Award: KASIA CHEN; COLORADO

Presented annually to a junior tennis player within the USTA Intermountain Section who exemplifies the spirit of tennis through their activities on and off the court. This award is given in memory of Nikos Ridle, a nationally-ranked junior player from Billings, Montana, who was killed in an automobile accident at age 19. Section winners are submitted to the USTA for the Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award.

2026 Jan Dowse Volunteer of the Year Award: TOM VAN DE HEY; COLORADO

This award is named after Jan Dowse, former Executive Director of the Utah Tennis Association. Jan served the Utah and Intermountain tennis community for more than two decades, and her contributions to the sport she loved are too numerous to count. In her honor, this award is given annually to the USTA Intermountain Volunteer of the Year to recognize his or her outstanding contributions, personal unselfishness and devotion to the game. 

2026 Barbara Clark Diversity & Inclusion Award: CLAUDIA SCARIOT; NEVADA

Initiated in 2000, this award is given annually to honor an individual in USTA Intermountain who has made a significant contribution to the diverse and adaptive populations and communities through tennis. 

2026 David Freed Lifetime Service Award: TIM BLENKIRON; NEVADA

This award is given from time to time to an individual for lifetime service to tennis within the USTA Intermountain Section. This award was first introduced in 1989 and given to David Freed of Salt Lake City, UT. David served as Intermountain’s Secretary and Treasurer for 39 years from 1936-1975.

2026 Andrew Valdez Community Support Award: KENDALL CHITAMBAR; COLORADO

This award is given from time to time to an individual or organization supporting tennis in at-risk populations. This award was first introduced in 2018 and given to Andrew Valdez of Salt Lake City. Andrew served as a member of the USTA National Board of Directors from 2010-2018. He was the first USTA Intermountain member to be elected to the National Board in 50 years. Before that, Andrew served on the Intermountain Board of Directors and served the Utah District in numerous capacities. 

2026 INTERMOUNTAIN HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

JON MESSICK; COLORADO

MARTY HENNESSY; NEVADA

PETE COOK; WYOMING