February 2023

ISSUE no 25 USTA OKLAHOMA TENNIS MAGAZINE STEVE HENRY the FEBRUARY 2023 baseliner Advertise with us! Text USTA Oklahoma OK Executive Director Published by USTA OKLAHOMA USTA Oklahoma President Mary Jo Tasker Vice President - Adults Peter McCorkle Vice President - Juniors Eric Wedemeyer Secretary Emily Pomeroy Treasurer Jeff Bowser NE Quadrant Matias Marin NW Quadrant Carmen Bond SE Quadrant Lee Crowley SW Quadrant Dawna Johnston 2 I thebaseliner.net USTA OKLAHOMA BOARD find yourself in the game USTA Oklahoma 5 29 28 click a head COVER JUNIORS INDUCTEES OKTF ADULTS FEATURES 7 CONTENTS FEBRUARY ISSUE 22 COVER: MEET STEVE HENRY WHAT TOURNAMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU? 2022 NUMBERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ADULT LEAGUE INSIDER usta oklahoma sportsmanship winners B18 Sportsmanship creed skinner G18 Sportsmanship carrington hessen B16 Sportsmanship lawson prather G16 Sportsmanship jasel bailey B14 Sportsmanship max beard G14 Sportsmanship sophia gillett B12 Sportsmanship dylan hwang G12 Sportsmanship kennedy orr B10 Sportsmanship jackson nelson G10 Sportsmanship parker hays support oklahoma tennis foundation, by purchasing the special license plate! the tag is $40, and $20 goes back to oklahoma tennis! Text 4 I thebaseliner.net see the 2022 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ON PAGE 9 2022 eric tabor 2022 Show us what you're doing on the court. Use #ustaoklahoma on your social media photos for a chance to be featured in the next issue of the magazine! Text section award winner Text oklahoma tennis foundation #tag this! Meet Missouri Valley's Newest President, Steve Henry 6 I thebaseliner.net What is your mission as president? My mission since becoming a USTA volunteer years ago is to promote, grow, develop, and service the game of tennis, only now my boundaries have been increased to cover a 7 district 5 state region. To work with our staff at the Missouri Valley office, staying within our budget to execute our mission of growing the game of tennis. How many children do you have? I have two girls. Do they play tennis? Jordan, my oldest plays, she was a high school state champion and went on to play college tennis at Abilene Christian University. Ryan, my youngest does not play, she was a gymnast in college but I keep trying to get her out! I’m not giving up, one of these days! What roles have you been in as a volunteer for USTA tennis? Oh my! There have been so many! I started serving 16 years ago and have never looked back. I truly enjoy giving back and hopefully making a difference. Our USTA TSR Laura Puryear convinced me to attend a USTA Oklahoma board meeting 16 years ago and I guess you can say that I have been hooked ever since. Locally I started on the USTA Oklahoma board as a quadrant rep. then VP of Adults, then as Oklahoma President. Next came Missouri Valley appointments serving on the executive board as secretary, then Vise President, next First Vise President and now President of the Missouri Valley. Nationally I have served two years each on three committees, Junior Team Tennis, Adult League, and Junior Competition. I have served on Missouri Valley Personnel Committee, the League Grievance Committee and League Grievance chair. I am also on the Missouri Valley Tennis Foundation and have served on the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation. Where are you from? I was born in OKC but moved around quite a bit when I was very young. I have lived in OKC since I was 15. Favorite Food? Not even close. Mexican Food. Have you always played tennis? I started a little late. I played infrequently until about the age of 18. I didn’t play in high school. It wasn’t offered. At about the age 18 I met others that played. After that, it’s all I did! I probably played 5-6 days a week for the next 12 years before getting married. Best Tennis Memory? Sorry I have three! 1. At the top is getting to play doubles with my daughter Jordan in three National Father/Daughter tournaments in California. 2. My first trip to the US Open. It was a pinch me moment to be on the grounds of the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center and at Arthur Ashe stadium for the first time. I had watched so many past US Opens on TV, to be there in person the was special. 3. I get a great thrill each year attending our USTA awards banquets. Whether it’s our Oklahoma districts awards, or the Missouri Valley Awards banquet. For me there is something special about seeing the whole audience engaged and reuniting, with old friends and colleagues. Everyone is reconnecting and reliving past memories on the tennis courts. Seeing firsthand what this game has meant to so many is a special moment. What do you do besides volunteering your time as President of USTA Missouri Valley? I operate the Oklahoma City Tennis Center. Your biggest accomplishment? By far being a husband and father are my biggest accomplishments. Second would be operating the OKC Tennis Center. When I was in my twenties, I once worked behind the front desk at the tennis center, I took lessons, played tournaments and leagues here my whole life. To managed the facility that I have played at for 40 years is special. I also have to add that bringing 8 USTA adult league national championships to OKC and the tennis center is very special for me. Favorite part of your job or as the MV President? That’s hard to say since my term has really just started, but I really look forward to working with our great staff at the Missouri Valley office and meeting more players from across the Missouri Valley section. Interview with Casey McKenzie, USTA Oklahoma H WHAT TOURNAMENT IS RIGHT FOR YOU? This player can vary the use of pace and spins, has effective court coverage, can control depth of shots, and is able to develop game plans according to strengths and weakness. This player can hit the first serve with power and accuracy and can place the second serve. This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which his or her game can be structured. This player can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and puts away volleys. This player tens to overhit on difficult shots. Agressive net play is common in doubles. FiI Level 7 District Tournaments Level 1 National Tournaments Level 2 National Tournaments SKILLS Level 4 Sectional Tournaments This player has developed your use of power and spin and can handle pace. The player has sound footwork, can control depth of shots, and attempt to vary game plan according to your opponents. This player can hit first serves with power and accuracy and place the second serve. This player tends to over hit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles. Level 3 Sectional Tournaments You have good shot anticipation and frequently have an outstanding shot or attribute around which a game may be structured. You can regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys. You can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overheads and have good depth and spin on most second serves. sets TOURNAMENT PATHWAY Level 6 District Tournaments You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation This player is learning to judge where the oncoming ball is going and how much swing is needed to return in consistently. Movement to the ball and recovery are often not efficient. Can sustain a backcourt rally of slow pace with other players of similar ability and is beginning to develop strokes. This player is becoming more familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles, and is ready to play social matches, leagues and low-level tournaments. Ability to keep score independently. Level 5 District Tournaments You have mastered power and/or consistency as a major weapon. You can vary strategies and styles of play in a competitive situation and hit dependable shots in a stress situation This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks accuracy when trying for directional control, depth, pace or altering distance of shots. This player is more comfortable at the net, has improved court awareness, and is developing teamwork in doubles. Players at this level may start to utilize mental skills related to concentration, tactics and strategy CONGRATS junior Circuit  Play tracker BG10 I am between the age of 5-10, have played Team Challenges and now ready to take the next step. What's next? A USTA Junior Circuit is a new program that utilizes a non-elimination round robin draw format for players of all ages to gain match play experience in a tournament setting with a focus on individual results. This experience will encourage players of all ages to develop their skills through level-based play and demonstrate good sportsmanship. It is designed to be delivered as a single event, up to a half-day, with the objective of providing a competitive environment guaranteeing individual match play. A USTA Junior Circuit can be played with orange, or green tennis balls. Player ratings can be used in green and yellow ball to help group players into flights and facilitate level-based play. An eye test can be used during the group warm-up to flight players in the orange ball division. A USTA Junior Circuit event can be delivered by registered Net Generation providers as a fantastic way to help foster a lifelong love of the game by supporting appropriate play opportunities! As we continue to develop the USTA Junior Circuit program, additional draw types and formats of play may be included to ensure a fun and developmentally appropriate environment. Play Tracker Click here to learn more about the Play Tracker. 1 junior Circuit  BG12-18 I am between the age of 12-18, never played a USTA tournament and consider myself a beginner-tournament player, where do I start? These tournaments are non-elimination and played in a fun and exciting environment! This circuit is a great way to get educated on the USTA Oklahoma circuit and general information on the do’s and don’ts of USTA tournaments. 1. Who can play the BG12-18 Junior Circuit? a. Look for any tournament that reads Junior Circuit (Name of Tournament) BG12-18 b. Anyone ages 12-18 c. Beginner-Intermediate players that are new to USTA tournaments d. Out of state players may participate in a Junior Circuit tournament e. Players that compete on the Junior Tour (L1-L7) should not be playing the junior circuit. f. BG12 played with green ball; BG18 & under play with yellow ball 2. BG14-18 and Under: a. Anyone under the age of 18 will be grouped in round robin draws based on their World Tennis Number (WTN). If a player does not have a WTN, they will be placed in one of the lowest groups. b. The WTN will be used to divide players of equal ability. c. Players may be placed in gender neutral or coed groups dependent upon their amount of experience and rating number. 2 CONGRATS TENNIS COMPETITION JOURNEY usta ok Jan 21 (BG 10 Orange) Enid REGISTER HERE Jan 22 (BG 10 Green) Enid REGISTER HERE Feb 18 (BG 10 Orange) Hidden Trails REGISTER HERE Feb 19 (BG 10 Green) Hidden Trails REGISTER HERE March 4 (BG 10 -18) Ind. Springs REGISTER HERE March 11 (BG 10-18) Earlywine REGISTER HERE April 15 (BG 10-18) Westwood REGISTER HERE April 22 (BG 10-18) Center Court REGISTER HERE May 13 (BG 10-18) RH-91 REGISTER HERE May 27 (BG 10-18) LaFortune REGISTER HERE June 3 (BG 10-18) Earlywine REGISTER HERE June 24 (BG 10-18) Center Court REGISTER HERE July 8 (BG 10-18) Enid REGISTER HERE July 15 (BG10-18) Oak Tree REGISTER HERE August 5 (BG 10-18) Earlywine REGISTER HERE August 19 (BG10-18) Ind. Springs REGISTER HERE Sept 2 (BG 10-18) LaFortune REGISTER HERE Sept 23 (BG 10-18) Enid REGISTER HERE Oct 7 (BG10-18) Ind. Springs REGISTER HERE Oct 28 (BG 10-18) Westwood REGISTER HERE Nov 18 (Orange) Hidden Trails REGISTER HERE Nov 19 (Green) Hidden Trails REGISTER HERE Dec 2 (G10-18) Oak Tree REGISTER HERE Dec 3 (B10-18) Oak Tree REGISTER HERE usta ok junior circuit schedule USTA JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS 2023 USTA JUNIOR TEAM CHALLENGE schedule USTA JUNIOR CIRCUIT Junior Catch-All Site thebaseliner.net/juniors usta.com/juniorplay USTA JUNIOR TEAM TOURNAMENTS ages 10-18 entry level Tournaments 3 I am between the age of 7-10, have played the Junior Circuit and have completed the Play Tracker requirements, what's next?  Or...  I'm am between the age of 11-18 and have competed in the Junior Circuit, what's next? After players have achieved success in USTA Junior Circuit events, they may want to explore USTA Junior Tournaments. We strongly recommend beginning at Level 7 tournaments, an intermediate level competitive tournament that guarantees multiple matches in a short period of time. Seven Levels of Competition The structure of USTA Junior Tournaments utilizes seven levels of events, ranging from Level 7 (Intermediate) to Level 1 (National Championships) and a universal ranking system that distributes points consistently across the country. For intermediate players who are ready to earn ranking points, you can start by playing in Level 7 and Level 6 events which offer low cost of entry. How Do I Know When I Am Ready to Move to the Next Level? There are different philosophies for advancing through competition, but one universal principle is that a player should only advance to the next level if they are consistently winning more matches than they are losing. Junior Tour L5-L7 CONGRATS 2023 Junior Catch-All Site thebaseliner.net/juniors 18 & under Jan 6-8 Ind. Springs L6 REGISTER HERE Feb 3-5 OKCTC L6 REGISTER HERE March 4-5 ECC L6 REGISTER HERE March 4 (G) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE March 5 (B) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE Mar 11-12 Ind. Springs L6 REGISTER HERE Mar 11 RH-91 L7 REGISTER HERE Mar 25-26 Westwood L6 REGISTER HERE Mar 25 ECC L7 REGISTER HERE April 15-16 RH-91 L6 REGISTER HERE April 15 Ind. Springs L7 REGISTER HERE April 22-23 Earlywine L6 REGISTER HERE April 22 Enid L7 REGISTER HERE May 20-21 LaFortune L6 REGISTER HERE May 20 Ind. Springs L7 REGISTER HERE May 26-28 OKCTC L5 REGISTER HERE May 27 Enid L7 REGISTER HERE June 3-4 Duncan L6 REGISTER HERE June 3 Tulsa Union L7 REGISTER HERE June 10-11 ECC L5 REGISTER HERE June 10 Oak Tree L7 REGISTER HERE June 17-18 OKCTC L6 REGISTER HERE June 17 LaFortune L7 REGISTER HERE June 24-25 Enid L6 REGISTER HERE June 24 ECC L7 REGISTER HERE July 1-2 Ind. Springs L6 REGISTER HERE July 1 LaFortune L7 REGISTER HERE July 8-9 Ada L6 REGISTER HERE July 8 (B) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE July 9(G) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE July 15-16 Tulsa Union L6 REGISTER HERE July 15 Ind. Springs L7 REGISTER HERE July 22-23 Earlywine L6 REGISTER HERE July 22 Lawton L7 REGISTER HERE July 28-30 LaFortune L5 REGISTER HERE July 29 RH-91 L7 REGISTER HERE Aug 5-6 Duncan L6 REGISTER HERE Aug 5 Enid L7 REGISTER HERE Aug 12-13 LaFortune L6 REGISTER HERE Aug 12 LaFortune L7 REGISTER HERE Aug 19-20 ECC L6 REGISTER HERE Aug 19 Lawton L7 REGISTER HERE Aug 26-27 RH-91 L6 REGISTER HERE Aug 26 Tulsa Union L7 REGISTER HERE Sept 2-3 Enid L6 REGISTER HERE Sept 2 Westwood L7 REGISTER HERE Sept 9-10 Duncan L6 REGISTER HERE Sept 9 Tulsa Union L7 REGISTER HERE Sept 16-17 Earlywine L6 REGISTER HERE Sept 16 Oak Tree L7 REGISTER HERE Sept 23-24 Ind. Springs L6 REGISTER HERE Sept 23 Tulsa Union L7 REGISTER HERE Sept 29-1 ECC L5 REGISTER HERE Sept 30(G) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE Oct 1 (B) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE Oct 7-8 Tulsa Union L6 REGISTER HERE Oct 7 Ind. Springs L7 REGISTER HERE Oct 14-15 Enid L6 REGISTER HERE Oct 14 ECC L7 REGISTER HERE Oct 21-22 LaFortune L6 REGISTER HERE Oct 21 LaFortune L7 REGISTER HERE Oct 28-29 ECC L6 REGISTER HERE Oct 28 (B) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE Oct 29 (G) Earlywine L7 REGISTER HERE Nov 17-19 OKCTC L6 REGISTER HERE Dec 1-3 Ind. Springs L6 REGISTER HERE USTA OK L5-L7 If a player is not one of the top 16 players selected, they have until NOON the Tuesday prior to the tournament to register for the concurrent L7 event. Note: Some tournaments might not have a concurrent Level 7 event. Please check the searchable schedule. Players will be selected off the most recent USTA Missouri Valley standings list. Entry count limited to 24 players per singles event. Deadline will be the Monday prior to the tournament at NOON. Players will be selected off the most recent USTA Missouri Valley standings list. Entry count limited to 16 players per singles event. Deadline will be the Monday prior to the tournament at NOON. Level 6 Level 7 Level 5 2023 USTA Oklahoma Tournament Registration Process 14 I thebaseliner.net If a player is not one of the top 24 players selected, they have until NOON the Tuesday prior to the tournament to register for the concurrent L7 event. There is not an entry limit for Level 7 tournaments. Deadline will be the Tuesday prior to the tournament at NOON. customercare.usta.com Text Text STEP 1: usta oklahoma @ustaoklahoma USTA OKLAHOMA Find the tournament you would like to register your child for and confirm the registration is open. To search for a tournament, visit https://playtennis.usta.com/tournaments. Once you've found the tournament and confirmed the registration is open, click on the tournament listing. You can click anywhere in the box to open the tournament and review the details. KEEP UP TO DATE @ usta.com/thebaseliner.com/social media Visit https://playtennis.usta.com/tournaments Text Once you have found the tournament you would like to register your child for, you can complete the registration process by following the steps below. You will only be able to register for a tournament if the registration is open. This information is indicated under the event listing. Please check for available 2023 tournaments periodically as more will continue to be added. NOTE: When registering a child under the age of 13 for a tournament, you will need to sign in using your (parent/guardian) USTA account. Once signed in, you can either select the child's account if they're already linked to your account or add the child to your account. If the child is 13-18 years of age, you can choose between registering them through their account or your own. How to register your child for a USTA tournament in 2023 usta oklahoma STEP 4: Once you have confirmed the events, choose your method of payment, and then select Confirm Entries & Pay. From here you will be presented with a screen to input your payment details. STEP 7: After you input your payment details click Save card. You will be presented with a confirmation page and your entry for your child(ren) is complete. NOTE: The payment is not taken until the Tournament Director has completed the selection process, this will happen after the tournament registration period is closed and prior to the tournament itself. If selected you will receive an email confirming this and the final amount charged to your account. If you have any questions regarding the tournament, please contact the Tournament Director. STEP 3: Select the players associated with your USTA account that will be entering the events. If they are eligible for the event, they will show a box next to their name to tick. If they are greyed out, then an explanation is available why not. Click on the ? in the box for the next steps. If the player doesn't have a USTA membership this message will display: Select the events you wish to register your child by clicking on a price box. You can click on an individual event for more information such as draw type, surface, etc. You may also review the registration rules at the top right of the tournament page. Depending on the rules of the tournament you can choose 1 or more events, they will be placed in the checkout basket. STEP 8: Once you are ready to pay, click CONTINUE TO PAYMENT. You will then be asked to confirm all entries and also be informed of the maximum potential charge. Please note: your card will not be charged until your child is selected and confirmed by the Tournament Director into the event. JUNIOR COMPETITIVE TOUR HOW TO CONT: Please note that if there are discounts they will be shown at this point, however, note the price is the maximum you will pay. The final price is determined depending on the number of events you have selected. Some Sections offer the option to apply for events outside of the age divisions, which means you may apply for more events. You will see this message before you commit to making the payment. STEP 5: STEP 2: STEP 6: MORE QUESTIONS? Go to customercare.usta.com Once you've completed making your selection, scroll to the top of the page and click GO TO CHECKOUT. JUNIOR TOURNAMENTS  Oklahoma Moves to Hybrid Selection What is WTN?? What is a hybrid selection? Learn more on the next page Recently, the OKJCC and the USTA MV Junior Play committees approved the Oklahoma district to pilot a Hybrid selection process along with seeding off a player's World Tennis Number(WTN) beginning January 2023. This system will keep the NSL as priority but will factor in a player's WTN as a way of entry. In addition, all seeding for our district sanctioned tournaments will come off the WTN. You will find on the tournament web pages the following note: L5 and L6 SELECTION "After the entry deadline has passed, USTA Oklahoma will select the top 16 players (24 players for L5) using the NSL/WTN Hybrid selection process. Click here for detailed information regarding the selection process...." SEEDING All seeding for USTA Oklahoma L5-L7 tournaments will be BY WTN. Any questions can be directed to David Minihan at minihan@ustaoklahoma.com. SEPTEMBER 10 - OCT 22 MATCH PLAY SUNDAYS @ 2 PM *Non-Advancement to Section Championships MARCH 5 - APRIL 23 MATCH PLAY SUNDAYS @ 2 PM Local Season Format: TBD before each season at the Mandatory Coaches Meeting DIVISIONS: (no 12 & under) 14 & Under Intermediate 18 & Under Intermediate JUNE 4 - JULY 23 MATCH PLAY - TBD *STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS August 1 & 2 @ Edmond Center Court *NEW ADVANCING FORMAT* TO QUALIFY for SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS YOUR TEAM HAS TO PLAY IN THE JTT QUALIFIER SPRING NOTE: There will be NO National Championships in 2023. Only Section Championships. Qualifier Format: Boys singles Girl singles Boy doubles Girl doubles Mixed doubles SUMMER Questions? Contact Casey McKenzie mckenzie@ustaoklahoma.com jtt section qualifier local League June 14 & 15 @ LaFortune Each team plays at least 2 matches & TOP 2 teams from each age divsion ADVANCE to Missouri Valley Section Championships FALL The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The goal of Special Olympics is for all persons with intellectual disabilities to have the opportunity to become useful and productive citizens who are accepted and respected by their families, friends and in their communities. or the first time in its history tennis will be offered as an official sport at the Oklahoma Special Olympics. It’s the culmination of a multi-year process to include the sport in the annual games and will be led by USTA Oklahoma Executive Director David Minihan. Minihan will serve as the Sports Director for Tennis after helping lead the effort to include the sport for 2023. Athletes will have the chance to compete in a variety of adaptive tennis games, including an individual skills event, red ball singles, and orange ball doubles. There is also a unified doubles competition with teams comprised of one special Olympics athlete and an able-bodied teammate. “We started this process back in 2020 in hopes of offering another opportunity to our many adaptive tennis players in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and around the state”, says Minihan. “I reached out Special Olympics Oklahoma and realized that if we were going to make this happen there was a lot of work to do in relation to creating the rules and guidelines. I’m so happy it’s all finally happening”. Training session are now scheduled for coaches who would like to be certified for the upcoming games. The first session will be in Tulsa at LaFortune Park on January 21, with the second being held at Edmond Center Court on February 11. Minihan says the early response from coaches has been fantastic and there is still time for coaches to register by visiting https://www.sook.org/calendar. SPECIAL OLYMPICS -special olympics oklahoma https://www.sook.org F USTA OKLAHOMA TENNIS SPECIAL OLYMPICS COMING TO OKLAHOMA I’m so happy it’s all finally happening”. -David Minihan 20 I thebaseliner.net The Headington Family (Tim, Greg, Jeanette, David, Chris, & Julie) Bill Nelson Adult Player of the Year (4.5 & Above): Bart Ramsey Adult Player of the Year (4.0 & Below): Eric Tabor Junior High Performance Player of the Year-Female: Gracie Epps Junior High Performance Player of the Year-Male: Ian Bracks Emerging Junior Players of the Year-Female: Ellison Clark Emerging Junior Players of the Year-Male: Noah Gou Tennis Family of the Year: The Prather Family Facility of the Year: Union Tennis Center Member Organization of the Year: Racquet and Health 91 Outstanding Community Tennis Association: Tulsa Area Tennis Association Outstanding Contributor to Youth Tennis Programs: Celeste Frey Outstanding Contributor to Youth High Performance Program: Camilo Sabogal USTA Junior Team Tennis Organizer: Cailtyn Sagraves High School Coach of the Year: Darren Cobble Outstanding Diversity Achievemet: League of Exceptional Players First Serve Tulsa Distinguished Service: Bill Riggan Outstanding Contributor to the USTA League Tennis Program: Russell Warner Outstanding Adult/Senior Tournament: Norman Open Outstanding Junior Tournament: MV Summer Closed Level 3-Peter McCorkle Outstanding Official: Charlie Smith AWARD WINNERS 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees 2022 Sportsmanship Winners USTA OKLAHOMA 2022 Girls 10: Parker Hays Girls 12: Kennedy Orr Girls 14: Sophia Gillett GIrls 16: Jasel Bailey Girls 18: Carrington Hessen Boys 10: Jackson Nelson Boys 12: Dylan Hwang Boys 14: Max Beard Boys 16: Lawson Prather Boys 18: Creed Skinner the headington family USTA OKLAHOMA tim headington People who have played tennis in Oklahoma during the last five decades will know how important the Headington Family has been to Oklahoma tennis. Not only has each member of this family had a distinguished career in tennis and made tremendous contributions to tennis in this state, but the family has collectively given back so much to Oklahoma tennis. Their contributions have advanced the sport in this state and will undoubtedly do so for many years. From building a state-of-the-art athletic/student dormitory and indoor tennis facility at OU, to building tennis courts at LaFortune Park, to funding a matching grant to the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation which will provide hours on the court in clinics with kids who would not otherwise have had exposure to tennis, and providing grants to promote tennis across the state, the Headington family exhibits a continuing support for Oklahoma tennis.. Tim Headington was a four-year letterman at the University of Oklahoma from 1968-72. During this time, the team won the Big 8 Championship. After college Tim was the Oklahoma Closed Men’s Doubles Champion with Glen Mullins. They beat Doug Boswell and Pat Richie for a big upset. Tim’s philanthropy has impacted tennis across the state. Not only did he donate the Headington Family Tennis Center at OU, but he donated Headington Hall, a dormitory at OU for athletes and students, and has given generously to First Serve OKC. 22 I thebaseliner.net HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Headington's Cont. pg 15 greg headington The tennis career of David Martin is well known as he was inducted into the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014. Among some of his notable achievements in tennis, he competed in 13 Grand Slam Tournaments, reaching the round of 16 at Wimbledon in 2007; was a 5-time ATP Tour doubles finalist; an All-American member of the Stanford Tennis team in singles and doubles; and a collegiate national team champion in 2000. Through his professional career he has added tremendously to the illustrative tennis credentials of this family. Jeanette (Headington) Kern: the favorite and much younger sister of Tim and Greg and mom of David, Chris, and Julie. She played at not only two major universities, but three. She starred at SMU, OU (where she was the Big 8 Champion in 1975), and TU, (where she served as the Captain and was the only senior, non-scholarship player). Some individual career highlights for Jeanette include USTA 5.0 National Champion (with Connie Seay) in 1991, Challenge Cup Husband-Wife National Champion, WTT Mixed-Doubles Finalist for several years, Southern Hills team (Forest Hills and Palm Springs), and Sr Women’s 4.5 USTA Finalist. Her tennis legacy has continued through her philanthropy. Notably, she donated funds for a tennis court at LaFortune Park and contributed the Matching Grant to the Oklahoma Tennis Foundation. 23 I thebaseliner.net Greg Headington is Tim’s younger brother. He was a letterman at the rival school, Oklahoma State University, for three years. In high school, he led the Cassady High School varsity tennis team for four years. 13 I thebaseliner.net jeannette kern (headington) CONTINUED: OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES david martin For more information go to oktennishalloffame.org Dr. Julie (Martin) Shelley CONTINUED: OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Dr. Julie (Martin) Shelley played on the varsity team at Vanderbilt University. Her junior tennis career in Oklahoma was impressive, with at top ranking in the state in 12’s, a top 25 ranking in the U.S. in 14s, and a top 100 ranking in the U.S. in 18s. She also played at Holland Hall High School, leading them to a SPC championship her sophomore year. An interesting fact about Julie is that when she was in 6th grade she was the youngest player ever on the Ransom Everglades ( Coconut Grove, FL) or any Florida team which won Florida State School Championships. (She actually played singles and doubles and won a match which mattered! They beat Bolliteri and Saddlebrook and played on the same team as David and Christopher Martin)! Julie further showed her love for the sport by donating funds for a tennis court at LaFortune Park and the rehabilitation of the OKC Tennis Center. chris martin Christopher Martin: Jeannette’s middle child, had many achievements as a junior. Among them he ended 1996 ranked #1 in Boys 14 singles with the National Clay Court Singles Champion, National Hard Court Singles finalist, and a #1 ranking in the state of Oklahoma. A good year for Chris, because he also ended the year ranked #1 in Boys 14 doubles with partner Andy Roddick. He continued his winning streak through 16s and 18s with high national rankings and multiple ITF junior circuit championships in singles and doubles. Chris was a member of the University of Illinois tennis team from 2001-2005. In 2003 his singles win against Vanderbilt clinched the NCAA National Championship. He was named to the 2003 NCAA All-Tournament Team, a member of the 2003 and 2004 USTA/ITA National Division I Men’s Indoors Championship Team, a member of the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament Championship Teams, and a 2003, 2004, 2005 Academic All-American. Among his many career wins, Chris has wins over Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, John Isner (doubles), and Guillermo Coria. 13 I thebaseliner.net 24 I thebaseliner.net BILL NELSON USTA OKLAHOMA 25 I thebaseliner.net HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Hall of Fame Cont. pg 15 Bill Nelson grew up in Midwest City where he first began playing tennis at age fourteen in the summer tennis program run by Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame coach Dewey Allen. He played for Midwest City High School for three years reaching the state semi-finals in both #2 and #1 doubles. After graduating from MCHS in 1971, Nelson went to Central State University and joined Coach Francis Baxter’s (another Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame member) second team at Central State University in Edmond. Nelson played at either number one or number two for the next four years and graduated with a degree in secondary education in 1975, two years after marrying Martha. Degree in hand, Bill and Martha moved to Ada where he accepted a position as a secondary social studies teacher and head tennis coach for the boys' and girls' tennis teams at Ada High School. He continued teaching and coaching for the next nine years. During that time, he coached six State Championship teams: three boys and three girls. Five of his other teams finished second at State (three girls and two boys). Twenty-two of his players were recognized as All-Staters by Oklahoma tennis coaches, and Nelson earned six Coach of the Year awards. He was a founding member and the first president of the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association and in 1984, was chosen to coach the East Boys’ team in the first ever All-State Match organized by the Oklahoma Tennis Coaches Association. That same year he was selected as the District 5 nominee for National Tennis Coach of the Year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. Martha joined the Ada Schools faculty in 1978. Two daughters were born during those coaching years. During that span, he served as President of the Ada Education Association and was a finalist for Ada Teacher of the Year. He left the classroom in 1984 to become the Ada High assistant principal, and in 1985 began a twenty-one year stint as Ada High principal. A third daughter was born in 1986. All three daughters played tennis for Ada High School, were selected as All-Staters, and went on to play college tennis. Though he stepped down as Ada High coach in 1984, Nelson remained active in tennis. He taught and continues to teach private lessons, directed the Ada Sooner State Tennis Tournament for thirty years, and has organized and run a local tournament that pairs experienced with less experienced players for the past forty plus years. For twenty-two years, Bill conducted a two-week summer tennis clinic in Holdenville. He is currently serving a second season as Ada Junior High Tennis Coach. Nelson retired from teaching in 2006 and accepted a job as Camps and Recreation Manager for The Chickasaw Nation in Ada. In that role he oversaw the youth camps and clinics offered by the Chickasaw Nation. In 2008, Nelson returned to education and accepted the Assistant Superintendent’s position at Byng Schools north of Ada. He served in that role for eight years, continuing to teach individual tennis lessons to players from both Byng and Ada. Byng players taking lessons from him won the schools’ first individual State Championships and led Coach Alan Simpson’s teams to both the first State Championships and second place finishes in school history. He retired again in 2016 to focus on the church, family, and community activities he values as well as teac committee. The Nelson clan was recognized as the USTA/Oklahoma Tennis Family of the Year in both 1995 and USTA/Oklahoma selected Bill for their 2017 Distinguished Service Award. Away from the tennis courts, Bill has served as an Elder at the Central Church of Christ in Ada since 1996. He has served on Boards of Directors for the East Central Credit Union, Ada Regional United Way, Campfire of Ada, Ada Boys’ and Girls’ Club. and Ada Rotary Club. He has been elected as president of The Ada Education Association, Campfire of Ada, Ada Regional United Way, and Ada Rotary Club. Bill and his wife Martha have been married since 1973. They have three daughters, Sunny, Summer, and Sky, three sons-in-law, Terry, Luke, and Anthony, and twelve grandchildren ranging from twenty years old to ten months. . For more information go to oktennishalloffame.org 13 I thebaseliner.net BILL NELSON and continues to teach private lessons, directed the Ada Sooner State Tennis Tournament for thirty years, and has organized and run a local tournament that pairs experienced with less experienced players for the past forty plus years. For twenty-two years, Bill conducted a two-week summer tennis clinic in Holdenville. He is currently serving a second season as Ada Junior High Tennis Coach. Nelson retired from teaching in 2006 and accepted a job as Camps and Recreation Manager for The Chickasaw Nation in Ada. In that role he oversaw the youth camps and clinics offered by the Chickasaw Nation. In 2008, Nelson returned to education and accepted the Assistant Superintendent’s position at Byng Schools north of Ada. He served in that role for eight years, continuing to teach individual tennis lessons to players from both Byng and Ada. Byng players taking lessons from him won the schools’ first individual State Championships and led Coach Alan Simpson’s teams to both the first State Championships and second place finishes in school history. He retired again in 2016 to focus on the church, family, and community activities he values as well as teac committee. The Nelson clan was recognized as the USTA/Oklahoma Tennis Family of the Year in both 1995 and USTA/Oklahoma selected Bill for their 2017 Distinguished Service Award. Away from the tennis courts, Bill has served as an Elder at the Central Church of Christ in Ada since 1996. He has served on Boards of Directors for the East Central Credit Union, Ada Regional United Way, Campfire of Ada, Ada Boys’ and Girls’ Club. and Ada Rotary Club. He has been elected as president of The Ada Education Association, Campfire of Ada, Ada Regional United Way, and Ada Rotary Club. Bill and his wife Martha have been married since 1973. They have three daughters, Sunny, Summer, and Sky, three sons-in-law, Terry, Luke, and Anthony, and twelve grandchildren ranging from twenty years old to ten months. CONTINUED: OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 26 I thebaseliner.net ERIC TABOOR Adult Player of the Year (4.0 & below) In 2022, Noah played a remarkable 185 matches throughout the Missouri Valley and across the country. He finished his first full year in Boys 14s with USTA rankings of No. 2 in Oklahoma, No. 4 in the Missouri Valley, and No. 94 in the United States. captured the 2022 USTA Junior Team Tennis 14U National Championship in October. This past spring, the accelerated 4.0 student won the Boys Singles title at the 2022 Oklahoma Junior High State Championships representing Edmond’s Cheyenne Middle School. And on top of his busy training and competition schedule, he found time to “give back” and led BCCTA in volunteer hours. The Missouri Valley Level 3 tournament in Tulsa was a grand success despite the rain and extreme heat, producing 230 participants. LaFortune Park Tennis Center served as the main site and RH91 the alternate site. The event included umpires at both locations, ample staffing and volunteers were provided to combat the heat, and software was implemented in order to provide real-time scheduling and prompt results. The tournament honored boys and girls’ sportsmanship winners in both age groups. OUTSTANDING JUNIOR TOURNAMENT: USTA Missouri Valley Summer Closed Level 3 - Peter McCorkle USTA Missouri Valley places high value on recognizing excellence on and off the tennis court. Each year the USTA Missouri Valley honors the volunteers, organizations, programs and members who have done an outstanding job on and off the court to help grow the game of tennis at our Awards Luncheon in December. Click here for more information . NOAH GOU Male Junior Emerging Player of the Year Eric Tabor has continued competitive success while maintaining the highest level of sportsmanship. 3.5 Captain who led his team to their fourth straight undefeated season, fourth straight league championship, fourth straight sectional championship appearance, and 2022 sectional championship, and advanced to nationals. Achieving it all while playing in the largest district in Missouri Valley and the second largest city market. KENNEDY ORR Girls 12s: Kennedy Orr SECTION junior sportsmanship Kennedy won sportsmanship award at the JTT state tournament, 2 Junior Tournaments this year. One tournament she had a tough crowd and still managed to congratulate her opponent on a hard fought match and gave praise to her opponents efforts on every point. She is a sweet kid that always is supportive of her opponent while being a fierce competitor herself. WINNERS MISSOURI VALLEY AWARD WINNERS FROM OKLAHOMA fNON-EMBARRASSMENT Congratulations to the new USTA National Champions from Oklahoma! The team, captained by Jeannie Sacra, won the Adult 65 & Over 6.0 Women’s Championship held in Surprise, Arizona this past weekend. It’s an incredible accomplishment for a team that had never played together prior to this season. Sacra and teammates Rebecca Lydy, Kim KnifeChief, Vicki Smith, Susan Driesel, Donna Hazle, Cathi Wing, Janet Rader, Blythe Fowler, Gayle Johnson, and Karen Smith formed their team through LaFortune Tennis Center in Tulsa. Their championship is the first for a LaFortune team since 2018, and only the second since 2007. USTA Adult League is the country’s largest recreational tennis league with more than 300,000 players nationwide. Last year, the state of Oklahoma had over 8,500 participants and over 600 adult league teams. If you are just picking up a racquet or been wanting to return to the courts, teams are still forming for 2023. Don’t miss out this year and sign up now! Contact Michelle O’quin if you have any questions at oquin@ustaoklahoma.com. 29 I thebaseliner.net Team Sacra from Tulsa, Oklahoma are National Champions!! NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!! ADULT PARTICIPANTS junior team tennis participants 2022 8654 junior participants 617 (up 9% from 2021) 1,000 junior  Tournaments Adult League Teams 85 over 4,400 inside  oklahoma numbers thebaseliner.net/adults adult league starts soon!! Adult 65 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0: June 3-4 @ University of Tulsa Adult 18 & Over 3, 4, 5: July 8-9 @ Edmond Center Court Adult 55 & Over 7, 9: July 8 & 9 @ Edmond Center Court Adult 18 & Over 2.5W, 3.5, 4.5: July 22-23 @ OKCTC adult 55 & Over 6, 8: July 22-23 @ OKCTC adult 40 & Over 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5: July 15-16 @ LaFortune mixed 18 & over 7.0, 8.0, 9.0: August 12-13 @ OKCTC mixed 40 & over 7.0, 8.0, 9.0: June 17-18 @ LaFortune Tri-Level 3.5, 4.0, 4.5: Sept 30 - Oct 1 @ Westwood 55 & Over Mixed 7.0 only: Oct 7-8 @ Westwood oklahoma Leagues 32 I thebaseliner.net 2023 district championships tulsa area Leagues Adult 18 & Over: April – July 18 & Over Women's Day: August – November Adult 40 & Over: (Women) March – May Adult 40 & Over: (Men) September – November, March Adult 55 & Over 6.0, 7.0, 8.0: March – June Adult 55 & Over 9.0 Women only: January-March, indoor Adult 55 & Over 9.0 Men only: April - July Adult 65 & Over: March - May 18 & Over Mixed: April - July 40 & Over Mixed: March – June 55 & over Mixed: May - July Tri-Level 18 & Over: June – August Adult 18 & Over: April – July Adult 18-39 Men’s and Women’s: September - November Adult 18-39 Co-Ed: September - November Adult 40 & Over: September - November, last matches in March Adult Men’s 55 & Over Indoor: March - June Adult Men’s 65 & Over Indoor: January - February Adult Women’s 55 & Over 9.0 Indoor: January - March Adult Women’s 55 & Over 6.0 7.0 & 8.0 Outdoor: March – June 18 & Over Mixed: April - July 40 & Over Mixed: September - November, March 55 & over Mixed: January - March, indoor Tri-Level 18 & Over: July – September okc area USTA OKLAHOMA LEAGUE ADULT LEAGUES DATES Friend at Court and The Code - general tennis rules and etiquette click here National Adult League Regulations - click here Missouri Valley League Regulations - click here OKC Local League Regulations - click here TULSA Local League Regulations - click here Coman Tie Break Procedure - click here Experienced Player Guidelines - guide to the Self-rate Questionnaire and Ratings - click here championship schedule Captains THEBASELINER.NET/ADULTS Click Here OKC Contact: Katie Allen OKCleagues@ustaoklahoma.com how to's New Captain's Guide to Tennislink - find Match Schedules, Match Summary, Player Roster, and Captain's Contact info - click here Opt in for communications - click here Nominate for 2023 Sportsmanship Award - click here 2023 usta regulations scorecards Tulsa Contact: Michelle O'quin oquin@ustaoklahoma.com CaTCH ALL PAGE **Keep blanks in your bag in case you don't have time to print the specific match scorecard from tennislink. 2.5 and 5.0: 3 lines, 1 singles and 2 doubles click here Mixed and Seniors: 3 doubles - click here 40s: 4 lines, 1 singles and 3 doubles - click here 18s: 5 lines, 2 singles and 3 doubles - click here insider OKC & TULSA 55 & over Women 6 Tulsa Sacra Women 7 OKC Paula Casey and Dawna Johnston Women 8 Tulsa Pam Rahhal Women 9 Tulsa Jana Brookover and Laura Allman Men 6 Tulsa Tom Langwell Men 7.0 Tulsa Steven Bradley and David Wallis Men 8 OKC Greg Lane and Ben McCarley Men 9 OKC James Billingsley 40 & over 6 Tulsa David Schmidt 7 OKC Matt Baldwin and Peter Pappas 8 OKC Grant and Carrie Woody Women 2.5 Tulsa Val Hansen Women 3 Tulsa Patricia Stuart Women 3.5 Tulsa Kristin Calabrese and Amy Wilson Women 4.0 Tulsa Mary Jo Tasker Women 4.5 Tulsa Ashley Stone and Janet Champbers Men 3 Tulsa Chris Dickason Men 3.5 OKC Steven Kinney and Richard Davis Men 4.0 OKC Richard Magann Men 4.5 OKC Bill Towler and James Billingsley 7 OKC Paula Casey and Cindy Hendrick 8 OKC Amy Wilson 2022 ADULT LEAGUES district winners Women 2.5 OKC Niki McClintock and Dana Garner Women 3 OKC Amber Vawter and Whitney Rainbolt Women 3.5 OKC Katie Allen and Kacie Price Women 4.0 Tulsa Haley Vann and Gina Harris Women 4.5 Tulsa Lizette Corcoran and Liz Montgomery Women 4.5 OKC De'Aun Sandvig - wildcard Women 5.0 Tulsa Jennie Howard Men 3 OKC Tony Daniels Men 3.5 OKC Steven Kinney and Richard Davis Men 3.5 Tulsa Eric Tabor - wild card Men 4.0 OKC Richard Magann Men 4.5 OKC William Choi Men 5.0 OKC Ryan Weber and Evan Piche 65 & over mixed 18'S mixed 55'S 6 Tulsa David Schmidt and Alan Clark 7 OKC David Ogle and Peter Pappas 8 OKC Grant and Carrie Woody 9 OKC John Walker Womens 6 Tulsa Jeannie Sacra Womens 7 Tulsa Janice Roberts Womens 8 OKC Jan Tipton Womens 9 OKC Kim Lewis and Pam McDougal Men 6 Tulsa Larry Dotson Men 7 Tulsa Tom Langwell Men 8.0 Tulsa Jeep Pritchard champions mixed 4o'S 18 & over NOTE: *Red indicates Section Champions and National qualifiers oquin@ustaoklahoma Follow Us Text okcleagues@ustaoklahoma 3 JUNIORS mckenzie@ustaoklahoma stay connected Upcoming tournaments Adult league information Local camps/lessons College tennis highlights Anything regarding OK tennis! 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