Oak Brook Tennis Center produces top competitors at USTA Midwest Sectional Championship
Bringing home its fourth USTA Midwest Sectional Championship and clinching two more top spots in Indianapolis on Sunday, July 29, the Oak Brook Tennis Center's youth competitors have established themselves as a regional Junior Team Tennis tour de force.
The Oak Brook 12's team defeated teams from West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Ohio to take the 12's Midwest Sectional Championship.
For top players Clare Lopatka of Oak Brook, and Richard Chen of Clarendon Hills, victory is becoming familiar. Clare and Richard's 10's Team took the USTA Midwest Sectional Championship in 2016 and again in 2017.
"Team competition is one of the best motivating factors when it comes to successful training," says Alin Pop. "We provide consistent, fun, and age-appropriate training that works."
He believes that the players train hard because they have the opportunity to participate in team competition, and to be their very best. "It is very rewarding to see players that have trained with us from the beginning achieve so much in such a short time," says Alin.
Oak Brook Tennis Center's 14's Team placed third out of eight teams, and the two 10's Teams took second and fifth place.
The four Junior Tennis Teams advanced to the Midwest Sectional Championship after defeating local teams at the USTA Chicago District Championship in May.
2018 USTA Junior Team Tennis Teams:
Oak Brook Tennis Center 12's Junior Team Tennis Team - first place - Midwest Championship:
Richard Chen of Clarendon Hills, Clare Lopatka of Oak Brook, Alex Buttin of Western Springs, Patrick Burke of Hinsdale, Renee Qin of Oak Brook, and Coach Alin Pop
Oak Brook Tennis Center 10's Green Ball Junior Team Tennis Team - 2nd place - Midwest Championship:
Barry Zhu of Hinsdale, Katherine Wittmer of Westmont, Alex Pop of Morton Grove, Nick Marringa of Hinsdale, Coach David Borislavov of Elmhurst, and Coach Alin Pop.
Oak Brook Tennis Center's 10's Orange Ball Junior Team Tennis Team - 5th place - Midwest Championship:
Natalie Marringa of Hinsdale, Sophia Filip of Elmhurst, Braden Lebaron of Clarendon Hills, Anthony Qin of Oak Brook, Lily Lopatka of Oak Brook, Nabeel Hussain of Oak Brook, Alek Rekucki of Oak Park, and Coach Dorin Iacob
Oak Brook Tennis Center 14's Junior Team Tennis Team - 3rd place - Midwest Championship:
Jia Sunkara of Oak Brook, Delaney Marringa of Hinsdale, Ameya Deo of Willowbrook, Lukas Koranda of Clarendon Hills, Basma Raja of Oak Park, Neha Kumar of Darien, Travis Marringa of Hinsdale, and Coach Sam Pecyna.
In a season that lasts from November through May, USTA Junior Team Tennis is the largest junior tennis league in the USA with over 100,000 participants nationwide. USTA Jr. Team Tennis is often compared to Little League Baseball, as the program offers children the opportunity to develop their individual and team skills in a fun, yet competitive atmosphere.
The Oak Brook Tennis Center, a facility of the Oak Brook Park District, is located at 1300 Forest Gate Road in Oak Brook. For information on competitive and recreational programming or memberships, visit www.obparks.org/tennis or call (630) 990-4660.