USTA Missouri Valley faces at the US Open

Champion of Equality - Bunny Bruning

Bunny Bruning of Adel, Iowa, has worked in the region as a tennis coach since leaving professional tennis in the '80s. She is currently tennis director of the Wakonda Club in Des Moines where she has worked since 1983. There she helped develop the junior tennis program. A USPTA certified Master Professional, all of Bruning’s programs focus on developing the person, the athlete and then the tennis player.

This year, Bruning has been selected as the USTA Missouri Valley Champion of Equality honoree.

Read more about Bruning here.

Chelsey Farris - US Open Theme Artist

This year's US Open theme art was designed by Chelsey Farris, a St. Louis native.

The art features a collection of 16 uniquely designed tennis balls that each represent a key aspect of tennis and the US Open.

You can read a USTA Missouri Valley Q&A article with Farris by clicking here. To view a video of Farris talking about her artwork, click here.

US Open Players - Cooper Woestendick and Jackson Withrow

USTA Missouri Valley standout Cooper Woestendick competed in the US Open junior boys' division, which marks his third straight appearance at the major tournament. It also was his final Grand Slam as a junior with Woestendick fully transitioning to professional tennis. He starts his college career at Texas Christian University in the fall of 2025.

Woestendick detailed his enjoyment of playing the Grand Slam events and how the USTA Missouri Valley helped shape his path in this feature article. In the US Open Boys' singles draw, Woestendick advanced to the second round.

Jackson Withrow also competed in the US Open this year. In men's doubles Withrow and his partner, American Nathaniel Lammons, went on a fantastic run. The No. 13-seeded duo won their first two matches in three tight sets before upsetting the No. 3-seeded team in Round 3. Withrow/Lammons then defeated the No. 11 seed in the quarterfinals in a three-setter before falling in the semis.

In mixed doubles, Withrow teamed with American Alycia Parks to score a huge first-round upset over the bracket's No. 2 seed. Withrow/Parks then played a competitive three-set match in the Round of 16. Check out a Q&A with Withrow from earlier this year connected to the USTA Missouri Valley Rally in the Valley Championships here.