RTA/ McDONALD'S NOVICE #4  JULY 31-AUG 3, 2006

 

In the middle of record breaking heat, the juniors played the final RTA/McDonald's novice tournament of the season. All of these players deserve a big pat on the back for toughing it out under extreme conditions.

Molly Broemmelsiek, who helped run the Salisbury event, said that  tournament organizers try to schedule the matches as early in the day as possible when the temperatures soar.  This week, with the heat index pushing 110-115º, few matches were played in the mid-afternoon.  

Over at Raintree, where a USTA L-5 junior tournament was being run at the same time, tourney director Adam Moidel said that the matches would go on as scheduled.  Due to the number of participants and available courts, many matches were necessarily posted for 3:00 pm.  However, Adam said, "We've had parents calling and withdrawing their kids due to the heat.  There isn't really anything we can do - there are so many tournaments this time of year that we can't push matches back.

"We leave it up to the players and their parents to decide whether they will play or not."   

 In one case, Jonathan Bowman of Midlothian, playing in the boys 16s, played one match in the regular draw, then took home the trophy for the consolation singles division after receiving two defaults due to the heat.  

"It's not too fun," said Chris Kowal, who was playing in the Salisbury Novice tournament boys 10s, when asked how he liked playing in the 105 degree temperature.  

Salisbury provided a cooler full of flavored ice pops in the "cool down" misting tent, which was appreciated by all.

Thanks to all the players and participants in the RTA/McDonald's events this year.  Please support McDonald's as they support the local tennis community.  See you next year!

Brett James pours cold water into his hat before heading back onto the court for his tiebreak in the boys 16 finals against John Cerreto.  One game late in the second set went to deuce 10 times.   Both players agreed that they wouldn't be going to their clinic at Robious later in the day. Cerreto won the tie-breaker.

 

Happiness in the cooling-off tent came in the form of flavored ice-pops and drinks provided by Salisbury.

 

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RESULTS 

Boys' 16 Singles  Final  

John Cerreto d. Brett James  6-3; 7-6

 

 John Cerreto (left) and Brett James.   John is 16 and plays on the Benedictine tennis team.  He is coached by his dad.  This was his first tournament win.  

 

Boys' 16 Singles Consolation Final  

Michael McCoy d. Mark MacKay 10-2

 

 Mark McKay (left) and Michael McCoy.  Mark plays on the Manchester HS tennis team.  Michael traveled from Harrisonburg to play in the tournament.  This was his first consolation division win this season. 

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Boys' 14 Singles Final

David Nichols d. Ryan Murphy  6-1; 6-1

 

Ryan Murphy (left) and David Nichols.  David trains at Woodlake and had lots of success this season.  Ryan also enjoys baseball.

 

Boys' 14 Singles Consolation Final

Carter Scheetz d. Mark Ramthun 10-4

 

Mark Ramthun (left) and Carter Scheetz..  Mark is a rising 10th grader at  Powhatan HS.  Carter will attend James River HS.  This was his first tournament.

 

 

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Boys' 12 Singles  Final  

Colton Sanford d. Drew Tomajczyk 6-1, 6-2

 

12s Champion Colton Sanford (right) with  Drew Tomajczyk

 

 

Boys' 12 Singles Consolation Final

 Casey Hux d. Reid Witt 10-6

 

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Boys' 10 Singles Final

Jack Thomas d. Christopher Kowal 6-0, 6-1

 

Jack Thomas (left) with Chris Kowal.  Chris trains at Dominion Club.  He played Tate Steinour in the semis the day before, and won an amazing tiebreaker 16-14.

Chris and Tate Steinour

 

 

Boys' 10 Singles Consolation Final

Michael Blackburn d. Ben Culpepper 10-6

 

Michael Blackburn (right) played his friend Ben Culpepper in the consolation final.  They are students at Bettie Weaver Elementary, and train at Salisbury.  Michael also plays baseball.   Both are black belts.

 

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Girls' 16 Singles Final

 Elyse Anderson d. Anna Fondren & Kim Morrisett
in a round robin

 

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Girls' 14 Singles Final

 Kari Capecci d. Emily Whitmore  6-0, 6-1

 

Kari, the Champion in Girls14s, lives in Prince George.  This was her first tourney this year. Emily will attend Midlothian HS next year. 

 

Emily Whitmore

 

 

Girls' 14 Singles Consolation Final

  Ashleigh Thomas d. Anna Culpepper 10-1

 

Ashleigh Thomas (left) and Anna Culpepper train at Salisbury.

 

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Girls' 12 Singles Final

 Allison Bortell d. Kelsey Miller  6-2, 6-3

 

Girls' 12 Singles Consolation Final

 Alexa Rennie d. Laura Ramthun 10-1

 

Laura Ramthun (left) attends Powhatan Middle School.  The Ramthuns made the tourney a family affair.  Her brother Mark, played in the 14s, and her sister Kacie, also played in the 12s.  This is Alexa's third trophy in novice tournament play this season.  

 

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Girls' 10 Singles Final

Becca Kapsak d. Laura Fuhr 6-2; 1-6; 10-7

 

Girls' 10 Singles Consolation Final

 Katherine Beaulieu d. Ellie Beaulieu  10-8

 

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For all results, visit the USTA site

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by Sara James