Summer Tourney Is A RacquetPhoto/Text by Sandi Fahy
Tennis coach Antonio Bonnet and his students from the Puerto Rican School of Tennis smile for the camera prior to the start of the recent USTA junior tournament at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex in Clearwater. CLEARWATER - The Clearwater Junior Summer Classic tournament at the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex attracted 125 boys and girls ages 10-18 from around the state. Many of the participants came from Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Fourteen of the entrants, however, came all the way from Puerto Rico to take part in the U.S.T.A.-sanctioned competition which took place June 23-25. Antonio Bonnet, tennis coach at the Puerto Rican School of Tennis, said his young players would also be competing in tournaments in North Carolina and Tennessee before heading home. Top seeded Anthony Barrancotto defeated #2 seed Kirk Kucin 6-0, 6-3, to win the Boys' 18 Singles division. In the consolation match, #3 seed Nicholas Moore overpowered Michael Alexander 6-1, 6-1. Winner of the Boys' 16 Singles division was Carlos Bruno, who defeated Calvin Bafana 6-2, 6-0. Consolation winner was Lantz Martin with his 6-2, 6-1, victory over Tony DeMaia. In Boys' 14 Singles, Brenton Dadamo bested Balaji Jothishankar 6-3, 6-0. Patrick Hernandez-Gracia defeated Willy J. Borroto in the consolation match 6-0, 6-0. Boys 12 Singles finalist was Andres Casellas with his 6-0, 4-6, 6-4, finish over Matthew Gavin. Winner of the consolation match was Francisco Del Valle, whose opponent was Tyler Simpson. Outcome of that match was 6-4, 6-0. Parker Hayslett was winner in the Boys' 10 Singles division with his 6-4, 6-1, win over Guillermo Cabral. The consolation match pitted Aaron Carey against Skyler Fanning. Carey won 6-0, 6-2. The Girls' 18 Singles division winner was top seeded Danielle Collins, who defeated #2 seed Julianne Gruber 6-3, 6-3. Consolation winner was Deja Kitchiner, who trounced Clara Arrington 6-0, 6-0. Jaci Watson emerged the winner in the Girls' 16 Singles division with her 6-4, 6-4, showing against Nicola Bafana. Carol Fraley bested Alexa Kovac in the consolation match, 6-0, 6-1. Girls' 14 Singles winner was Blair Martin, who squeaked by Agatha Ambrozy 7-6,3-6, 7-6. Consolation winner was Elizabeth Waldhausen (6-2, 6-0, against Tara-Lynn Carey). Christina Warren defeated Katherine Geshel 6-1, 6-0, to win Girls' 12 Singles. Winner of the consolation match was Janelle Taylor (6-0, 6-0 over Miranda Mearsheimer). Ja'cara Gillis played Miller Hoskins to win (7-5, 6-3) the final round of the Girls' 10 Singles division. Victor in the consolation final was Alexis Franco (6-1, 6-0, against Claire Blumenthal). Alex Vely, tennis pro at the McMullen Complex, was director of the recent tourney. Other upcoming tournaments at the facility are the Adults NTRP Championships (men and women's singles and doubles), scheduled at the facility August 25-26, and the Clearwater Fall Junior Championships September 15-16. The Henry L. Mullen Tennis Complex, located at 1000 Edenville Avenue, is currently hosting two camps for youth ages 6-17 this summer, a "Tennis Only" camp and a "Tennis & Activity" Camp. For more information on the one-week sessions coming up July 16-20, July 23-27, July 30-August 3, August 6-10 and August 13-17, you may call 669-1919. |