Salvadore's life full of tennis highlights

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 6, 2000

As a child of the Depression growing up in Johnstown, Pa., tennis was the last thing on Bernadine Salvadore's mind. Now, as a senior player, tennis is one of the highlights in her life.

Competing in last month's Pinellas County Good Life Games, Salvadore, 73, qualified for her sixth state competition with a win in the women's 70-74 division and teamed with Isacc Lorenzetti to win the 70-74 mixed doubles.

"I believe I have some God-given talents that the Good Life Games brings out in me," said Salvadore, a 12-year resident of Safety Harbor. "I really never knew I was any good at sports, although I played different ones in high school."

When Salvadore was 10, her natural athleticism resulted in her winning a tennis racquet at a church baseball throwing contest. Not much tennis followed, although Salvadore did manage to add parachute jumping to her resume when she was 16.

Despite a strong interest and high aptitude in science and math, Salvadore was drawn to teaching physical education, and after graduating from Eastern Michigan University, she began teaching in Detroit.

It was not until after a marriage, two children and a divorce that Salvadore started competing in tennis at the urging of a high school student. An opportunity for a high school tennis coaching position lured Salvadore and her family to St. Joe, Mich., where she became one of just three female coaches of boys sports in the state. She also earned a master's degree in counseling and personnel during that time.

"I stayed there 13 years and played in state and national tennis tournaments," said Salvadore. "It really opened my eyes to what all was available. Plus, it gave me an opportunity to be with people, and that's something I need."

About 13 years ago, Salvadore realized after a fall in the snow and after many long, bitter-cold Michigan winters that a move south was in order. Choosing Pinellas County landed Salvadore a counselor position at Clearwater Comprehensive Middle School while living in Largo for a year. For the last 10 years, she has substituted nearly daily in all subjects at Countryside High School.

"I began playing tennis at Bayfront and met more and more people," said Salvadore. "Now with the Good Life Games, I get so inspired when I talk with the 80- and 90-year-olds. Here they are playing tennis after everything they went through in World War II that I just can't conceive."

In Salvadore's past five trips to the Good Life Games state tournaments, she has qualified for each of the national events and hopes to do so again this year. The state tournament, the Florida Senior Games, is Nov. 28-Dec. 3 in Kissimmee. First- and second-place finishers advance to the National Senior Games in July 2001 in Baton Rouge, La.

"There have been so many people throughout my life that have influenced my life in one way or another," said Salvadore. "You never know what they will do or when they'll show up, but life just seems to work that way. I only hope that I have done the same for someone else, whether it be through tennis, substituting or whatever."

Joining Salvadore as women's singles winners at the Good Life Games were Ann DiLeone (85-plus), Hope Fage (75-79), Kay Marshall (65-69), Victoria Hess (55-59) and this writer (50-54). Men's winners were Walter Jaworski (85-plus), Robert Serra (80-84), Bud Steckman (75-79), George Vodapalus (70-74), Dennis McDaniel (65-69), Charles Hamilton (60-64) and Jim Schroeder (55-59).

Other mixed doubles winners were Carol Levin and Dick Whissel (55-59), Erika Boardman and Bob Simister (60-64), Gloria and Paul Murphy (65-69) and Millie and Bud Steckman (70-74).

Women's doubles winners were Denise Marshall and Bobbie Mosher (55-59), Phyllis Gary and Joan Holland (65-69), and Joan Scott and Evie Moore (70-74). Men's winners were Dave Krebs and Charles Hamilton (60-64), Richard Lambert and John Graham (65-69), George Vodapalus and Louis DeBee (70-74), and Bob Allen and Andy Chau (75-79).

SUPER SENIORS PLAYOFFS: The St. Petersburg Tennis Center and Timber Pines Tennis Club advanced to Tuesday's championship match in the men's USTA Florida Section District 12 Super Seniors 3.5 League. In semifinal action this week, SPTC defeated Innisbrook 3-0 and Timber Pines beat Shipwatch Tennis Club 3-0.

The championship match begins at 1:30 p.m. at Royal Racquet Club. The winner advances to the state tournament in May.

JUNIORS COMPETE: Local players captured three singles titles and were finalists in four divisions in last month's Sarmiento's Annual Championships at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Winning were Nicholas Berning in boys 12-and-under, Katie Gutierrez in the 10s, and Keilly Ulery in the 12s. Top seed Charles Kucharski lost to Berning in two tiebreak sets, Adel Naser fell 6-4, 6-4 in the boys 16s final, No. 4 seed Laura Caffee lost to second seed Ulery in the girls 12s, and Katherine Waldthauser reached the girls 14s final.

This weekend, players may compete in the Pro Star Junior Classic at the Pro Star Tennis and Fitness Club in Clearwater. Call 581-4935 today to register for the singles competition.

GREY CHOSEN: Lori Grey, a 1999 graduate of Seminole High School now at the University of Georgia, recently was selected one of four recipients of the Bill Talbert Junior Sportsmanship Award presented by the U.S. Tennis Association.

The award is in recognition of outstanding sportsmanship displayed during a junior player's career. Each of the 17 USTA sections is eligible to nominate one individual.

Grey will receive this honor in July at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, R.I., during induction ceremonies for Martina Navratilova.

COMING UP: This month's Suncoast Tennis Foundation/District 12 Tennis Challenger Series 2000 begins at 1 p.m. April 15 at the St. Petersburg Tennis Center. Players 16 and younger should call 893-7301 to register for the one-day singles event. The cost is $10. ... April 16 is the date for this month's Suncoast Tennis Singles at Shipwatch Tennis Club. Tennis director Nancy Heller will host a clinic prior to match play. Call Les Spang (581-2020) to register.

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