Overview:
Thirteen Santa Barbarans win medals at Pickleball Nationals
Three local players won gold medals and 10 others captured either silver or bronze at the Pickleball: Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Dayne Gingrich won national championships in both the men’s split pro and men’s senior pro divisions. He was also a silver medalist in the mixed senior pro.
Santa Barbara’s other pro medalist was Lauren Stratman, who took the bronze in women’s doubles.
John Sanford won the gold in the 60+ 4.5 men’s doubles division while Kathy Le Sage took first in the 65+ 3.0 singles.
The event drew 2,291 participants playing in 4,158 matches over a week’s span. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden was converted from tennis to 48 fully painted plexipave courts and one stadium championship court.
“The facility and environment is incredible,” said Sanford, who was playing in his first national championship. “Every match has a referee and over 300 volunteers make the experience so special.
“You really feel like you are playing a first-class professional tournament.”
Sanford won his title with Orestes Baez, a “blind-date” partner from Wisconsin.
Two local players captured two medals apiece: Eui Oh (silver 50+ 4.0 men’s doubles and bronze 35+ 4.0 men’s doubles), and Beth Morris (silver 35+ women’s doubles and bronze 50+ 4.5 mixed doubles).
The other silver medalists were Geoff Crosby (50+ 5.0 men’s doubles) and Kelly Dakin (55+ 4.0 women’s doubles).
Mark Pickering won a pair of bronze medals: (50+ 4.5 mixed doubles and 50+ 5.0 men’s doubles).
Other bronze medalists from Santa Barbara were Jude Tantoco (50+ 5.0 men’s doubles), Mark Cardona (35+ 4.0 men’s doubles), and partners Laurie Adams and Nancy Kaplan (65+ 3.0 women’s doubles).
Other area residents playing at the national tournament were Diana Andonian, Vanessa Carrington, Mike Challen, Kelly Mada, Amanda Oh, Don Le Sage, Kyle Lewis, Elliot Markowitz, Nancy Stevens, Dave Wilcox, Tracy Wilcox and Elon Zilberman.
The City of Santa Barbara is offering beginner, intermediate and advanced classes in pickleball. Those interested can sign up for the next set of classes at 9 a.m. on Jan. 3. To register, go online to: cityofsantabarbara.perfectmind.com