NEWS REPORT Tournament Page  Ryan Wolfington 11-10-02 Article below Standings Pictures Article Kara's Intermountain article and Results

Contributions by The Intermountain staff, captains, players, fans and me

Opening night Monica Bradley of the Intermountain Tennis Association introduced the captains of each team to the schedule, format and nuances to this weekends event, including the proper attitude to take in case of the forecasted rain. So it must have been a surprise to those who believed it would rain, when not only did the down pour never

come, but with few exceptions, the temperature was perfect, the sun shining through the clouds and even at one point a rainbow...how apropos, as this event not only signified the physical and mental challenges that brought person' s from their respective home states, but challenges of the heart and spirit that were taken head on and even saved lives. I am talking about the life of Jan Randall, a 3.0 player out of Salt Lake city. Jan, just 3 years ago was in a debilitating accident that left her near dead, unable to walk, talk, move her hands , arms or legs properly. Doctors told her it looked bleak and in their eyes what took place today was not possible. Yet there she was on the court not only playing but thriving. 

It was not long ago that she  was just trying to walk. Then a man asked her to play some tennis, and instead of being lost in the despair of her "Brain damage" and recovery, she was outside in the clear blue sky hitting a nice yellow ball. And she described how when the wind started to pick up at UNLV this weekend, and the band started playing in the background and a man's voice was coming over the loudspeaker, her partner turned to her saying "I can't stand this wind".... 

and immediately she exclaimed "I love this wind, I  love the band music playing, I love the guy on the loud speaker, I love this whole thing.... this is amazing...!!" And this was not a "Positive thought", it was an honest reality of how she saw things. She was alive and not lost in the mental,  but playing the game and seeing all that this game brings out in each of us...the best! And this is not something she learned , acquired or practiced, this way of seeing life came from one choice... her choice to love Life... all of it... and this love for life made it's home in her partner as he began to love the thrilling environment of play. And not but moments later, far in the distance rose the rainbow. Not for one minute, two or even three minutes... but a five minute rainbow. Because at all times God is putting on a show for us and all one has to do is be aware to see it. And this show is free!

Other shows however cost money, like America's Neil Diamond Tribute,  Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Mystère, The Platters featuring Monroe Powell, Wayne Newton, or one of the many free lounge shows which are better then many of the paid shows. Like the Frank, Dean & Friends "A Tribute to the Legends", or Earl Turner. 

Many people made the point that they like coming to Las Vegas for the great weather but also for the shows, affordable travel, hotels and tourist friendly environment. The Nevada Tennis Association adds to that package by offering the Intermountain and players that fly in additional coverage of the vent unlike any coverage that takes place in all the country.

Many of the teams at this event had to have won their district through weeks of league play or a one time round robin, like Nevada did. The Intermountain has brought in a group in USA imaging that takes high quality pictures and has them developed on site. This includes action shots as well as team photos. They have a mobile trailer and a team of two men, one of which is also named Ryan. To contact them click here.

This tournament page can track each days events as they unfold. If you are a team member or captain, e-mail me at VegasTenniscom@aol.com details on your team's match play or you can fill out the "Quickmailer form at the bottom of this page.  

Kara Pharris, the Intermountain communications Director, came in especially for this event to make sure the press knows about how tennis has changed lives. In addition she worked in conjunction with me to make one of the best tournament pages that can be made. On the intermountain site is the stats and standings, a written review by her along with a link to this article, photos. Where else do you see that type of coverage on one event?

Because I don't do anything half way, and neither is the Intermountain, and from watching many of 

Kara Pharris,Communication Coordinator,  and Colorado Captain

you play, neither were you. If you do something.. do it right or don't do it at all, correct? Then, even if you lose the match you are satisfied that you played with heart, and that is all that matters.

It is this "do it right" attitude that has inspired dozens of captains at this Intermountain event and thousands nationwide who also participate to make  USA LEAGUE TENNIS, Presented by Lincoln,  a reality. Without the individual efforts of you and I to make it happen, there would be no event, and that is why it is so perfect that this review is mostly written by you, the players and participants. Each of you gave me some detailed notes and comments on your teams and the following pages take us on a ride through the eyes of you. 

While there are points and games won, the real magic is in the individuals that make it happen. For years the USTA has taken the intuitive spirit of it's captains , players and local enthusiasts and supported it by setting in place programs like this one; Where collective resources are pulled together to assists in executing grass roots initiatives. And this support is a huge undertaking, but one Monica Bradley and Kara Pharris enjoy doing. In fact it was playing the game in college that led Monica to get involved and be such an intricate part of the Intermountain Tennis Association.  Now she plays intermittently, mixed doubles of course. 

Monica, Dana and Kara

It was Monica, as Tournament Director,  that had to show up each morning and stay until the last match was ended, and Monica that had to tend to each issue and spend months to prepare the event. Not to mention the infrastructure that is required to run the various leagues running up to sectionals. And this is just one part of her job as the Intermountain this is just one part of her job as Intermountain's
Director of Adult Recreation and Competition. But when you do something because you are led to, it takes the edge off, it is no longer a chore, but something taken in stride, something enjoyed. Such was the case with Monica and her TEAM, and that team includes you;.. players, captains, fans, and  staff. 

Colorado 4.5 Sectionals Champion Captain

Captains... It takes one person to move the world. It always starts with one. One individual is led to do something aLake Mead National Park, Red Rocks Red Rocks National Park,  National Park,  Casino shows and events, ) Many come to town and ask "How could you live here" , but I and others live completely normal, in fact healthy lives, in Las Vegas, showing it is notClick here to read about all the great things the Nevada Tennis Association is doing to bring tennis to the forefront of this growing Las Vegas Community, including a new magazine, two new tennis complexes and more.

Another interesting story is that of Salt Lake City Utah's captain Dorleen Jenson. To hear her talk about the game you could see it is players like this who really enjoy getting outside and living life. She said it was just three years ago that she started to play. It began by watching her grand daughters play, both of which are Utah State champions. Then she gave it a shot and has been doing it since. Her health was in very bad shape and in just three months she lost 40 pounds, her cholesterol level dropped and she said her general physical and mental health improved immensely. She started to feel great.  At the  end of our talk she made the very simple statement... "It beats a treadmill." Their team review is coming. Click here to read the Utah review...

TEAM WYOMING 4.5 One of their players have parents that live here in Las Vegas...Douglas Kazarosian. I had a nice talk with his Dad, who is now recovering from being in the hospital. He enjoyed taking in the sun watching his son play Saturday, as he and I talked about the principles to life and got to know one another on a very real level. He mentioned not doubting himself as he went through the challenges with his health. In me he found someone he could relate to,  and me in him.

And that is what this event does for a number of people. They have the chance to see and relate to persons they have never met or even saw at a past sectionals and build something meaningful. 

In fact I played tennis with his son, Douglas, just two days earlier at the Wheel chair clinic. Having taught tennis for years in the city parks in Colorado and now a tennis professional at the Ranch Tennis Club in Bolder, Douglas knows and has played with many of the players in the one up - one down wheel chair event. In fact, Bolder, as well as all around Colorado,  have been credited with having an excellent history of Wheel chair events, giving players who use a chair an opportunity to find the same rainbow, the same thrill in being outside that you and I have. It is more then hitting the ball, but coming out of the mental worry's and "Thoughts" that try and weigh a person down, and this is huge for you, for me and the those who live life in a wheel chair. 

Many of you witnessed the One up - one down wheel chair tennis event. and were in awe of how normal it is. And that is one thing it does is show people that being in a wheel chair does not make a person far removed from what moves you and I. They are the same and have the same ability to embrace competition. And that is what is great about the USTA programs that allow chair players to play with and amongst everyone else. This is a recognition of the truth that they are able.... and the turn out this year shows they are also willing. Click here to read more about the wheel chair event and the many unique stories that made up the 2002 Intermountain One up-One down.  

I mention Douglas in this context because what I recall of him is not the fact that he has a "Good game" playing at 4.5 level, or the fact that he is a teaching professional, but that he was the man I saw playing Bill Trubey, a chair player, and hitting to him hard, no different then he would hit to me, and Bill had no problem hitting back with equal pace. It showed me he saw Bill in the proper perspective and played him earnestly. He then jumped in one of the chairs and played in a chair, he and Bill in chairs against me out of a chair. They hit me singles and I hit them doubles. I won 11-9 playing points to ten and it was a joy. Click here to read the Wyoming review.

Nevada has a 3.0, 4.0 and 4.5 team. The 3.0 team was put together by me called TEAM VegasTennis.com. The 4.5 team was put together by Michael Springer and the 4.0 team was put together by Jim Pruess at Spanish Oaks. The three teams represent Nevada in the Intermountain sectionals event, from Friday November 8-10th at UNLV.  The team goes up against the other 6 states in the intermountain region.

Many of VegasTennis.com's Nevada Team were from Lorenzi Racquet Club. These players were chosen not for their skill but the character that I saw them display on and off the court at local events. Because to me winning is how you play the game, and it just so happens they also win matches. And throughout this event there were moments where circumstances presented itself trying to test this character... The choice became to stay poised or to believe in the worry. At one point we only had two men...we did not panic...the third then qualified...during districts we had one of our players get injured... we had only two ladies...we did not panic.. a third came through...at sectionals the team coach, me...was not on location twenty minutes before game time... we did not panic.... I showed up 16 minutes before game time...The same day 5 minutes before game time, our captain was not there... we did not worry... she came in at the perfect time... On our last deciding match against Colorado one of the men was not on site just minutes before game time... we did not panic...he walked in moments later...during game time we were down to Colorado by one set in two of the three matches, with the wind tearing and elements challenging our game... we did not panic... and sailed through it all with dignity. And if you can do that, then you have won regardless of the score. This game and the USA League Tennis environment sets the stage for these simple yet meaningful challenges to take place so you and I can not only build our physical strength but the character inside which, at the end of the day, is what really carries you through. Click here to read about VegasTennis.com's Nevada 3.0 Sectional Championship TEAM

Boise, Idaho's John Talmage and Caroline Shugart

It should be noted that Boise, Idaho gave us an extremely close call. But their man became injured tearing his Achilles heel when they were up in the first set 5-2. We won the match on default then went on to win the next two matches in the super tie break by minimum margins. This was excellent tennis. And I was taken by the Boise, Idaho doubles pair John Talmage and Caroline Shugart. They played Nevada's Leonard Fath and Patti Chess, and afterwards they were beaming at the excellent competition and not an ounce of regret. Obviously they gave it a 100% and in a match like that you can be nothing but satisfied. The way a player handles being on the losing side of a close match like that tells volumes about who they are as a person. In these two players Boise had a victory. More on Boise coming soon...

TEAM 3.5 WYOMING

Filling out this questionnaire with the same initiative that she likely put this team together was Alyson Hagy, who brought down her 3.5  Laramie Tennis team from Laramie , Wyoming. Where the sky is big and the air is clear, these mixed doubles players are new to the outside tennis, as this time of year the snow is thick and courts have long been covered. 

One of the benefits of Las Vegas Tennis is the winters are more like some states spring and fall. Very rarely, but every now and then there are clouds and some rain, and it just so happen a little bit of that has been "Forecasted" for this weekend. But that forecast did not hold true today as the sun was shining and play went on as scheduled...Click here to read the TEAM 3.5 WYOMING STORY.

I will have you know The Nevada Tennis Association has been supporting this web site from the beginning with information and now as a sponsor helping to ensure that these features are available to you. Where else does a web site cover the tournaments and local news more thoroughly then the major news outlets cover pro tennis. Video highlights, photo albums, articles on each happening in town and a find a match section so players can meet up... and much more. Not in Florida, not in California, only in the Intermountain, and in talking with the computer man for the Colorado tennis, it seems like they too are soon to bring up a new and improved web site in ColoradoTennis.com. And that is perfect as the internet can serve to bring together a sometimes fragmented tennis community. It can bring a tournament experience in Las Vegas into the homes of mothers, sons, daughters and friends in Laramie , Wyoming, or Spain and Italy. Not just the scores but the personal tales of what really took place on and off the court.

More to come on Wyoming and other districts play, their player profiles and more....As I get each teams media questionnaire back and enter it into the computer, this article will continue to be updated until it is complete.

E-mail me your teams match notes and background information at VegasTenniscom@aol.com

or fill out the "quickmailer" at the bottom of this page and hit send...

E-mail me to add your teams information to this site or for corrections. Simply fill in the "Quickmailer" form at the bottom of this page.

aNYONE CAN RE PUBLISH THESE ARTICLES IN THEIR HOME PAPER OR WEB SITES.!