2001 Junior Nationals at Beacon Hill Club, NJ

Marjorie Hodson reported on the event for PTM:

If you have been worried about the future of platform tennis, you can relax. The future was on display at the Beacon Hill Club, Canoe Brook Country Club, Short Hills Club and Echo Lake Country Club on Saturday, January 27, and it is bright. The APTA Junior Nationals, an exciting lead-up to Super Bowl Sunday, featured competitive matches and unparalleled sportsmanship. Parents and pros pitched in to prop up a pneumonia plagued Patty Hogan, and play proceeded as planned. Check-in and lunch at the Beacon Hill Club preceded a great photo opportunity with the giant inflatable Viking hat. Players then dispersed to nearby clubs to begin the competition. Following Round Robin play in all age groups, semi-finalists returned to Beacon Hill to finish.

In 10 & Under play Pete Donnally, a finalist last year, teamed with Karen Cash (whose sister Lauren was a 12 & Under Champ last year) to edge the sister-brother duo Anna and James Burke in three tight sets.

The 12 & Under Champions, Chris Cummins and Andrew Nebel, survived two match points against them in the semi-finals to advance and win a 3-set final over Phil Bernasek and Eric D’Elia.

14 & Under winners An Borinsky and Ben Williams used the tournament experience they gained playing the Viking Cup this year to deny Peter Hissey and Chris Lewis in yet another three setter.

Defending 18 and Under champions Anthony and Will Nunziata made it through a morning of SAT exams to outplay Tyler Gaffney and David Hissey and retain their crown.

Viking Athletics, New Jersey Men’s Platform Tennis Association, New Jersey Women’s Platform Tennis League, R. J. Reilly, and Louise Gengler helped to make the day special for the 100 juniors who participated.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 2, Issue 4, March, 2001