Left to right: Rebekkah Maddelana, Larry Dietrich, Bob Romagosa, Irene Romagosa and Ford Roberson.
On July 25-26, pickleball’s Tournament Team Robson Ranch attended the Cornhusker State Games in Omaha, Nebraska. The tournament team currently consists of Patrick Claytor, Larry Dietrich, Sherril and Bruce Kerr, Bob and Irene Romagosa, Ford Roberson and Warren Williamson. Those team members in attendance were Larry, Bob, Irene and Ford. Also accompanying Team Robson Ranch was Rebekah Maddelena from the Lewisville Club. The tournament was played at Miracle Hill Tennis Center near downtown Omaha. The event was well attended by players from Arkansas, Illinois, California, Texas and Nebraska. Most event draws contained players or teams of six to 14, making this a Tier 3 USAPA Sanctioned Event.
The team had some miracle results while playing at the Miracle Hill Tennis Center. Larry Dietrich won a bronze medal in the Men’s 60s Singles and was knocked out of the tournament by a 4.5 player from California. He also teamed up with Bob Romagosa the next day to win a silver medal in Men’s 60s doubles. Again they were defeated for the gold by a team with California and Texas representation. Larry played 10 matches in less than 24 hours in these two events; way to go Larry in your first tournament.
Coming off of recent fifth places at the Texas Senior Games and the Mid-South Regional tournaments, Bob and Irene broke through in Omaha in a great way by winning the gold in Mixed Doubles 60s. They played seven matches in the afternoon to achieve this spectacular result. Bob played 13 matches with Larry and Irene on Saturday in two events in a Herculean effort. Irene also teamed with Rebekah in the Women’s 50s for the gold by winning four consecutive matches. Irene played 10 total matches on Saturday to prove her endurance under competitive pressure. Way to go team Romagosa.
Ford Roberson finally had his break- through moment as well at Miracle Hill Tennis Center after winning three runner-up silvers at the Texas Senior Games and Mid-South Regional tournaments. Ford came away with the gold in Men’s 60s singles. Ford had wins over players from Arkansas, Texas and California in Nebraska on his way to being tournament champion. In the final match, Ford defeated Chris Thomas 11-3/11-3, a 4.5 rated player from Palm Desert, California. Chris has the distinction of being the National Rating Committee Chairperson for the USAPA.
Rebekah Maddelena from the Lewisville Club has placed in every event entered in multiple tournaments. This success allowed her to be the number one seed in all three events she entered at the Cornhuskers State Games, and she did not disappoint. Rebekah brought home the gold in all three events entered. She won 50s singles, 50s Women’s Doubles with Irene and 50s Mixed Doubles with Ford. In the finals match in mixed doubles, Rebekah and Ford beat a team from Lincoln, Nebraska. Jeff Fredrick, 4.5 rated, teamed with Patty Wilson for silver. Jeff has the honor of winning bronze at USAPA Nationals in singles in 2011.
With five gold, two silver and one bronze medals, Tournament Team Robson Ranch did our club proud at the Cornhuskers State Games in Omaha, NE. In future action, Sherril and Bruce will be in Fort Wayne, IN in mid-August for the Great Lakes Regional Tournament. Ford will be at Nashville, TN at the end of August.
Bob and Irene will attend the Louisiana Senior Games the first week in September. Patrick, Sherril and Ford will be in Colorado Springs, CO the first week in September. If you would like to practice with the Robson Ranch Tournament Team or consider attending USAPA Sanctioned Tournaments, please contact Ford Roberson at 325-280-0044 or [email protected].
Congratulations to the pickleball tournament team, and we wish them continued success through Nationals in November in Buckeye, AZ.