Texas

Texans at the 2026 NTRP Nationals

April 29, 2026

The 2026 NTRP National Championships brought together top amateur tennis players from across the country, showcasing inspiring stories of resilience, rediscovery, and camaraderie at the Surprise Tennis and Racquet Complex, Giammalva Racquet Club, & USTA National Campus, & Barnes Tennis Center. Held in April, the tournament featured singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events across 18+, 40+, and 55+ age divisions, with competitors vying for titles at NTRP levels ranging from 2.5 to 5.5.

 

For Christi Hamilton, competing in her first nationals, captured the spirit of the event, noting that the experience was as much about making new friends as it was about the competition. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to represent Team Texas," Hamilton said, looking forward to reuniting with her new peers at the upcoming Doubles nationals.

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The 3.5 40+ division proved to be a dominant category for the Lone Star State. Stephanie Woods Reynolds, Michelle Merwarth, and Sandy Teeter secured the 1st, 3rd, and 4th place spots, respectively. For Reynolds and Merwarth, this year marked a significant step up from the previous year, where they fell short of the 1st place bracket. This time, the trio stood tall on the podium, with Reynolds and Merwarth noting with pride, "Texas took 1, 3, and 4! So proud of us!"

 

In the singles draws, North Texas was particularly well-represented. Ashley Reaves, Christy Vutam, and Averie Bowen—all hailing from the DFW area—made a massive impact by all reaching the Final Four in their division. Even in the face of injury, the Texas spirit remained unbroken. Jonas Crafts successfully returned to the court following a knee injury, while Chrystal Nickol Aranda battled through a sprained ankle to fight her way into the final

The championships also served as a stage for incredible personal journeys. Shelly Bull embodied the spirit of the comeback, returning to the court after a 30-year hiatus. Having picked up a racket again only in June 2024, Bull described her national participation as "just the beginning of my climb to the top." Similarly, Kaley Medina showcased how quickly passion can turn into hardware. Just three years after starting tennis with a local "mom squad" post-COVID, Medina captured a national title. Her victory was sealed in the final with a clinical ace "right down the T" on a deuce point. "This reminded me how powerful it is to try something new later in life," Medina reflected.

 

Beyond the trophies, the atmosphere was one of mutual respect. Renee Cook, attending her first NTRP Nationals, was struck by the caliber and character of her opponents. "What impressed us most was how great all the opponents were—welcoming and encouraging," Cook remarked. She noted that during the 3.5 division finals, the camaraderie was palpable: "It was great to see so many people come cheer Texas to their final victory. They were the crowd favorite for sure!"

 

Whether it was Barbara Lindsay fighting back from a 0-3 deficit in a set against fellow Texan Rachel Rodriguez, or the DFW trio sweeping the final brackets, the 2025 championships celebrated the transformative power of the game. For Team Texas, the event was a vibrant reminder that whether you are returning after decades away or picking up a racket for the first time, the national stage is a place to chase dreams and find community.

Results:

 

18+ Singles

Men’s 5.0

4th – Erhart Asaad

Women’s 2.5

2nd – Gloria Sanchez

Women’s 3.0

2nd – Luciana Paulise

Women’s 4.5

2nd – Christy Vutam

3rd – Ashley Reaves

4th – Averie Bowen

 

18+ Doubles

Men’s 3.0

3rd – Jorge Flores-Pere / Hayden Kurie

Men’s 3.5

2nd – Troy Dalymple / Sgea Bolton

3rd – Ravi Sriram / Robert Scheibler

4th – Lee Seidlits / Elkin Echeverri

Women’s 2.5

Champion – Natalie Hunter / Courtney Moursund

2nd – Cora Alpine / Brittany Allen

Women’s 3.0

Champion – Sarah Scoggin / Alex Echeverri

Women’s 4.0

Champion – Amy McDonnold / Carley Boyle

Women’s 4.5

3rd – Christy Vutam / Alexandra Turck

 

18+ Mixed Doubles

Mixed 3.0

3rd – Christine Ledbetter / Matt Ledbetter

Mixed 3.5

Champion – Eliseo Resendez / Yvette Marietta

3rd – Renee Cook / Salomon Oliveros Parra

Mixed 4.5

2nd – Chrystal Nikol Aranda / Nathanael Boles

 

40+ Singles

Women’s 3.5

Champion – Sandra Teeter

2nd – Michelle Merwaerth

3rd – Stephanie Woods Reynolds

Women’s 4.0

4th – Allison Reyna

 

40+ Doubles

Men’s 3.5

3rd – Matt Rothrock / Jonas Crafts

Men’s 4.0

4th – David Connell / Tommy Connell

 

55+ Singles

Men’s 3.5

Champion – Stephen Wisser

 

55+ Doubles

Men’s 3.5

3rd – John Garza / Ben Claybaker

Women’s 3.5

Champion – Summer Richbourg / Melissa Meyer

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