This year’s Junior Nationals was held in East LansIng Michigan at the Michigan Athletic Club. The MAC is an awesome 9 court facility that offers racquetball, squash, basketball, beach volleyball, outdoor racquetball, and a recreational pool with waterslides. Additional matches were held at Michigan State University ’s 9 court Intramural Building facility. This year brought 185 participants from 32 states.
Florida brought a talented group of 8 Juniors ranging from ages 7 to 18, and the Florida Junior Team Coach Kim Roy. The Boys competing were: 18- Dan Lerow and Michael White; 16- Tim Lerow; 14- Sean Cooperrider; 12- Connor Feagle; and 10- Evan Wargo. The Girls competing were: 10- Jordan Cooperrider; and 8- Graciana Wargo.
Our Juniors competed strongly against the usual powerhouse states of Oregon , Ohio , California , and the home state of Michigan . When the 5 day tournament was over, the Florida Junior Team came home with 11 medals, equaling last year’s count but doing it with 3 fewer participants.
There were 2 national champions from Florida . Jordan Cooperrider was on the National Champion doubles team that won Girl’s Doubles 10- and Graciana Wargo became a National Champion by winning the Girl’s Singles Multi-Bounce 8- division. In addition, Jordan and Graciana qualified for the 2009 USA Junior Esprit Team. (See detailed results and team photo here)
A special thanks to Kim Roy, all the participating parents, and to the FRA for their support.