Lee County Community Tennis Association officials get a greater than expected turnout for President's Day tournament geared for new tournament players.

The sun shone brilliantly down on Rutenberg Park this past weekend as scores of teens and pre-teens put their developing racquet skills to the test in the Lee County Community Tennis Association’s (LCCTA) Inaugural Rookie Roundup junior tennis tournament. The unrelenting rays, reminiscent of summer though only mid-February, tested the children’s stamina, and their mental and emotional toughness as well.

Bruner, Nelson, & Hudson Control Event

With the experienced Lyn Bruner serving as tournament director, Area Tennis Director Andrea Nelson, and LCCTA Executive Director Claudia Hudson serving as assistant tournament director and tournament manager, respectively, the event was an unqualified success. According to LCCTA President, Harriet Bohannon, “We were thrilled at the turnout. We far exceeded our goal…”

Private Clubs & Public Parks Converge

The tournament drew 71 boys and girls for the eight divisions offered. Among those who came out to compete, many for the first time, were players from under four-feet to well over six-feet tall, from wispy waifs to strapping specimens, from country club clay-courters to public park pavement pounders.

On this holiday weekend, children of privilege and children who were granted the privilege to play their beloved game by the LCCTA and Lee County Parks and Recreation came together on equal ground. Whether their outfits were new Nike coordinates, or casuals creatively converted to tennis wear, the kids stretched, lunged, hustled, wiped their glistening sun-baked faces and persevered to match’s end.

Stephanie Wilson Impresses

As impressive as were some of the victors, even more impressive were some who didn’t win their matches. For instance, Stephanie Wilson played David to Kayla Cheslosky’s Goliath in the Girls’ 14s division, and even though Stephanie didn’t win the match, she certainly won this writer’s admiration.

Repeatedly, Kayla (a division finalist) would propel serves at Stephanie that would have measured at least 80mph on a radar gun. Stephanie watched several whiz by. Multiple times when she did manage to make contact, the force of the serve twisted Stephanie’s racquet and left her massaging her hand in preparation for the next point.

But Stephanie’s effort never wavered. She continued to stick her racquet out, eventually winning some points on Kayla’s serve. She continued to chase down balls delivered by Kayla’s powerful groundstrokes, although many eluded her outstretched racquet. Not once did Stephanie pout, not once did she give the impression that she didn’t want to be on the court. Yes, Stephanie lost 1-8, but her resolve was inspirational!

On this Presidents’ Day weekend at Rutenberg Park, the eye-hand coordination of young Daniel Malivert and Bradley Pinosky was noteworthy. The classic form of stoically splendid Nicolette Cervone was amazing. The speed and athleticism of little Patrick Thompson were eye-catching. But there was nothing more spectacular than Stephanie’s demeanor despite being clearly overmatched.

LCCTA President Bohannon Pleased

Stephanie’s demeanor was only one example of the positive spirit that characterized the event. Girls’ 16s winner, Lynnette Clavell, actually encouraged her opponent as they contested a close, two-hour match. LCCTA organizers had ample reason to be pleased. Bohannon was thrilled that things flowed so smoothly in the face of the larger than expected turnout. “The tournament was very well managed. We were very fortunate to have Lyn Bruner serving as tournament director. Her experience and attention to detail were key factors in the success of the tournament,” she commented.

Positive Parent Experience

The players’ parents were no less pleased. Asked what would have made the event more positive for her, Leslie Benitez, Clavell’s mom, responded, “Other than the heat, I thought everything was great. The registration table was organized; there were a lot of parents with positive attitudes cheering on their kids. It was a wonderful experience. I have nothing bad to say.”

Further expressing her appreciation of the event, Benitez, continued, “For me as her (Lynnette) mother it was exciting to see her play her first tennis tournament and win her first medal, especially since she's never played and never showed interest in any kind of sports…Coach Charles Van Middlesworth and Coach Alex Hermeto are the ones that have helped her to excel in this sport and I hope that she never gives it up… I'm so tremendously proud of her.”

Contributors to Success

As with most successful sporting events, many entities collaborated to make the LCCTA’s Inaugural Rookie Roundup Junior Tennis Tournament a success. The coaches throughout Lee County responded well to the call, and 18 volunteers contributed to the smooth running of the event. Bohannon expressed a “Special thanks to the tennis pros throughout the community that encouraged their young players to enter this rookie tournament and for coming out to support this new generation of Lee County Tennis players.” She also extended special acknowledgement to the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department for making tennis in the parks possible.

Rookie Roundup a Future Icon

Given the success of this year’s efforts, the Rookie Roundup may well be on its way to becoming an icon in the Fort Myers tennis community, akin to the nationally acclaimed Bush Florida Open, also directed by Lyn Bruner at The Landings. Click here for winners and pictures of the LCCTA's Inaugural Rookie Roundup Junior Tennis Tournament.