Looking back on an epic 2024 as we head into an exciting new year

As an eventful and exciting 2024 came to a close and 2025 arrived with promise, let’s reflect on the past year’s most newsworthy stories in USTA Heart of America!

 

January

 

Shawnee man, 85, sweeps doubles Nationals as part of epic 2023 season:

 

We have so many high-achieving players of all ages here in USTA Heart of America. One such player, Wilbur Jones of Shawnee, Kan., capped off an incredible 2023 season with a slew of tournament wins and awards. Jones, 85, was ranked No. 1 in the nation in both singles and doubles, and No. 1 in the world in his doubles division at the time of publication.

February

 

Bright family brings new life to former Metro East Tennis Center:

 

February is Black History Month, and we are honored to highlight players, organizations and facilities in our district who have done so much to help grow the game of tennis in the communities we serve. That includes the Bright family, who purchased what was once Metro East Tennis Center in eastern Jackson County, Mo., before transforming it into the MatchPointKC facility.

 

March

 

National Tennis Month: What’s happening in our district:

 

In late March and throughout the month of April, we previewed and promoted the awesome events taking place across our district for National Tennis Month, which is in May.

 

April

 

USTA Heart of America’s 18 & Over Summer League ready to shine:

 

This article helped hype up our members to join the 18 & Over Summer League that kicked off in April.

 

May

 

USTA teams with Ray-Pec schools to bring tennis to students, greater community:

 

USTA Missouri Valley partnered with Raymore-Peculiar School District in south Kansas City to bring tennis to students and the greater KC community as part of the USTA schools program.

 

Through this partnership, the USTA provided necessary equipment, training and sports curriculum—curated with help from SHAPE America—as part of a workshop with educators to help them teach students about tennis and all its benefits. USTA Heart of America Executive Director Rebecca Falkner Axelrod was also on hand to lead an adaptive tennis workshop.

 

June

 

New Junior Coordinator Elizabeth Deerinwater ready to create more positive programming for KC:

 

In June, we were excited to announce Elizabeth Deerinwater was hired as the new junior programming coordinator for USTA Heart of America. Deerinwater, who attended primary school in Kansas City, came to USTA Heart of America from Polo Tennis Club in Austin, Texas, where she served as a tennis pro for more than 10 years.

 

July

 

Kansas City Open plays host to high-stakes competition:

 

Genesis Health Clubs - Clayview in Kansas City’s Northland hosted the Kansas City Open—the third event in the MoKanNeb adult tournament series—on June 28-30. Players from around the country hit the courts, many of whom were seeking wins in the open divisions to qualify for the series’ cash prize, which was awarded to one male and one female who accumulated the most points throughout MoKanNeb.

 

August

 

Brothers, cousin face off in Missouri state high school boys' tennis doubles final:

 

In the MSHSAA Class 3 doubles event, a rather unique outcome became one of the highlights of the state championships when a team of brothers met their cousin and his doubles partner in the finals. Brothers Adam and David Bell battled their way to the final to play their cousin, Andy Greaves, and Topher Thornberry.

 

September

 

UMKC’s Kendell Hale reflects on Hall of Fame induction, coaching career:

 

Kendell Hale, University of Missouri-Kansas City women’s tennis head coach, was recently inducted into the USTA Heart of America Hall of Fame. In this article, we catch up with Hale for an inspiring interview where he reflects on his career and looks to the future.

 

October

 

A note from Junior Competition Coordinator Elizabeth Deerinwater on Native American Heritage Month:

 

Ahead of Native American Heritage Month in November, Junior Competition Coordinator Elizabeth Deerinwater, who is a member of the Cherokee Nation, penned a letter to our members. She discussed the importance of bringing tennis to tribal communities across our district and her hopes for doing just that.

 

November

 

Navy veteran Efren Mojica reflects on life of service, tennis success:

 

While Veterans Day is one day of the year, we’re grateful every day for veterans across the country for their service to our country. Here in USTA Heart of America, several members of our district are proudly serving—or have served—in the military. That includes Efren Mojica, whose start in tennis led to him attending a service academy and who continued into a career in the Navy.

 

December

 

Happy Holidays from USTA Heart of America:

 

USTA Heart of America Executive Director Rebecca Falkner Axelrod shared a holiday message that highlights the many accomplishments of our district, and she thanked those who helped make 2024 one of our best years yet.

 

To read all USTA Heart of America articles from 2024, check out this link.