Fab five boasts best-in-state ranks
By NANCY MORGAN
Published April 12, 2007
More than 40 locals captured top 20 positions in USTA Florida's 2006 state adult singles rankings, including five capturing the top slot.
Earning the state's No. 1 ranking were Oldsmar's Mark Wagner in the men's 45-and-over, St. Petersburg's Jeff Winkler 50, Feather Sound's Marc Mazo (55), St. Petersburg's Bob Meyerdierks (80) and New Port Richey's Ria Graham (women's 65).
"Playing better is all about conditioning," Wagner said. "A lot of the top guys are teaching pros, so they have an advantage over those of us that still put on a tie to go to work each day. I personally cut back on my work hours last year so I could carve out some time to practice."
Wagner, who was No. 1 in the 40 division the past two years, played three nationals in 2006. In his first national in the 45s, Wagner reached the quarterfinals at the grass court contest, upsetting the No. 7, 12 and 18 seeds.
Anya Coy relied on her past experience as a professional player to help achieve a No. 2 state ranking in the women's open.
"I don't get to train as much as I used to and have lost some of my physical strengths," said Coy, 24. "I may not be as fast as I was when I was training a lot, but I rely on my technique."
Other area women collecting top 20 state rankings include Karen Killen, No. 9 in the 35; Kim Cashman, No. 4 in the 40; Nancy Boyce, No. 9 in the 45 and No. 13 in 50; Debbie Hobbs, No. 15 in 50.
Jeswin Jolly was the top-ranked area player in the men's open at No. 6 and was joined by Adrian Pagani at No. 12.
"I had an okay year and definitely played better than the year before," said Jolly, 24. "I cleaned up on some mistakes and tried to take care of the little things, especially my footwork. I realized that by not worrying about winning or losing and just playing my game gave me better results.
"I played in eight Futures events last year and qualified in three, so I'm pretty pleased with my results. After I graduate from USF in August, I'm going to take a year and play."
Oldsmar's Jason Horwitz finished No. 3 in the 30 and Juan Segovia was No. 7 in the 35. In the 40 were No. 6 Jimmy Gatza, No. 15 Mark Taylor and No. 19 Michael Erbe. Steve Talner was No. 4 in the 50 and Alex Deeb tied for No. 10 in the 50 and was No. 3 in the 55, as well as No. 12 in the USTA. Gerry Barna was No. 7 in the 55.
In the 60 division, Bob Feder was No. 12 in Florida and Bill Christensen earned No. 4 state and No. 22 USTA rankings. Will Roeper was No. 18 in the 65, followed by Chip Gamble at No. 19.
LEAGUE NEWS: St.Petersburg/Clearwater area league champions in the Super Senior Doubles League leave this week for the USTA Florida Sectional Championships in Daytona Beach. League winners in the 60-plus league include St. Petersburg Tennis Center 7.0 women, McMullen 8.0 men and women and Safety Harbor Spa 7.0 men.
Competing at state for the McMullen 8.0 women's squad are captain Carol Levin, Judy Grim, Sharon Carlile, Sandi Lamy, Sylvia Bell, Deb McCleery, Susan Hobbs, Marion Murch, Barbara Brutus, Judy Siracusa and Nancy Morgan.
Representing the 7.0 Spa team are captain Joe Gari, Woody Woodbury, Frank Ingram, Carmelo Mugavero, Gerry Waller, Michael Johnson, Tom Dempster, Conrad Berhorster and Daniel DeLosh.
McMullen 8.0 men's team includes captain Wendall Walker, John Williams, Jeff McQuinn, Ron Klieve, Joseph Persak, John Rensch, John Ross, Mauro Rodriguez, John Beda, Ron Massey, Bob Smith and Roger Pryor.
The statewide competition is Friday to Sunday with winners advancing to national championships. To follow the competition results, go to www.usta.com.
- Men's and women's Combo Doubles League competition will include 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 divisions. Women's 6.5 and 7.5 will play Tuesday mornings, 8.5 Tuesday nights, 7.5 Thursday mornings; men will play Saturdays beginning in June.
For more information, contact coordinator Norm Ott, 526-7966 or nott@tampabay.rr.com.NET SHOTS: Among locals competing for the West Coast squad against the East Coast in the annual Florida Cup in Naples were Jimmy Gatza and Mark Taylor in the 40 division, Wagner (45), Jeff Davis and Winkler (50), Mazo, Alex Deeb and Larry Turville (55), Bill Christensen (60), Dave Krebs and Dick Crawford (70) and Meyerdierks (80).
The West Coast beat the East 30-20 for the fourth consecutive year.
- Area players slated to travel to California to compete in the April 14-22 Easter Bowl Championships include Morgan Frank and Alexandra Moreno-Kaste (girls 18-and-under), No. 6 Alexandra Cercone and Kayla Rizzolo (16), Julia Jones (14) and Alex Domijan and No. 2 Johnny Humui (boys 18).
More than 600 Americans will challenge in the 18, 16 and 14 age singles and doubles divisions.
- Ricky Symanski teamed with Bradenton's Ezequiel Gils to win the boys 14 doubles in last month's Seminole Sunshine Super Series.
- Alexis Franco won the girls 10 singles and Daniel Lang the boys 16 in last month's Seminole Lake Tennis Center Rockin-Rookie. Finalists included Ilana Rakita (girls 10) and Yasmin Franco (12).
- Harrison Cavanaugh reached the boys 16 final in last month's Sarmiento's Annual Championships.
COMING UP: The SPTC Easter Classic is this weekend for juniors. Call 823-2225. ...The inaugural Stroke for Stroke, presented by Morton Plant Mease Health Care, is April 20-22 at the McMullen Tennis Complex. Men's and women's doubles and mixed team tennis is planned. For more info, call 418-8074 or e-mail stroke4stroke@gmail.com.News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.